Hello everyone,just wondering, for those in the know out there:Which strategy house would you say are the best in their strategy service for financial services? I know it might vary depending on whether we are talking about retail banking, wealth management, insurance or investment banking. Im most interested in retail banking, although I guess everyone would profit if anyone could remark too about the other sub-sectors.Thanks!

No one knows here?Not even a good guess? :)

I would rate them in this order:MOW, Bain, McKinsey, LEK, BCGMind you there is a huge difference LEK giving business strategy to an Investment Bank for Asian growth - and Accenture giving advice to Axxa over there insurance terminals. Both might call themselves 'financial services consultants...'

"Most interested in retail banking".......you poor, poor soul

Maybe he likes bank charges......I've not heard too much about LEK - had a look at their website **Rant why do MBBB & co have same DRAB website..it's like looking at mirror images...bloody shoddy some of them..ahem**So whats the story about LEK? they don't seem to be mentioned in the same light as MBBB?are they just losers?!

Why poor poor soul?

Hi,Could anyone please comment on why Bothered made the poor soul remark?Surely there's something I dont know? (and that I should)Thank you.

I think Bothered's comment probably indicates an underlying feeling that retail banking is not as interesting as commercial banking or financial markets.I could be convinced otherwise, but would generally have to agree with him.

Retail banking is cool... who wants to deal with nasty stuff like derivatives when you can be putting together a marketing strategy for an offset mortgage product? :)

Apologies if my post caused offense amongst you Retail Bankers. SVP behave,Retail has never and will never be cool. Now markets are cool and derivatives,CDOs etc are just so ridiculously complex that its like big boys/girls Lego whereas Retail is really the Duplo of banking.Banks don't make the serious dosh from Retail it comes from the Commercial and Investment side.

So what exactly is commercial banking? (apologies if this question is too basic for many people here...)

Commercial - Corporate customers as opposed to individuals. Corp depo and loan facilities. They also run long positions in Corp & Govt bonds. Still a bit of a poor man's investment bank. Difference with them and Invest. Bks not so clear now since the repeal of Glass-Stegal (US) Artical 64 (Japan)

Retail Banking is considered poor because they simply have too much money, so even if your analysis is great, there is a high chance corporate politics will stop it from being executed. Very frustrating.(This is not to say working at C-level in retail banking is poor. They have too much money, remember.)So, my answer to your question:1. Retail banking: Mostly equally divided among MBB/ Some forms might have a bigger share in certain offices, ask the recruiter if you want to know.2. Private Equity: Bain. Bain. Bain. I heard they have 3 times the client base McK has in this field. This is supposed to be because Bain is very result orientated.That's all I know.