Vault’s Verdict

Loop Capital, well known for its strong commitment to diversity, is looking for smart, collaborative, hardworking, detail-oriented candidates who are hungry to learn. The firm runs a valuable internship program for students, providing interns with a clear view of the financial services industry and exposure to senior professionals. For its full-time junior bankers, Loop offers immediate access to senior bankers—the open line of communication between seniors and juniors allows juniors to learn directly from more experienced bankers.

Loop’s culture is collaborative, family-oriented, and democratic. And although hours can be long, the work is fulfilling and senior bankers are reasonable with deadlines and try not to stress out juniors. Loop offers a very competitive compensation and benefit package, which includes a 401(k) match. There are also gym discounts and a wide range of wellness programs.

As a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), Loop does a very good job of recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive employee base. The firm hires people from all walks of life—its staff is very diverse. However, some insiders say the firm could have more employee resource groups. As for Loop’s business outlook, the firm has a talented employee base and strong business prospects in place. Loop is nimble, consistently looking for new solutions, and well positioned to continue to take advantage of market opportunities.

EMPLOYEE REVIEW

Hiring Process

“There are interviews on campus for junior candidates, and then we bring the qualified candidates to the home office to be interviewed by senior bankers. For senior candidates, interviews are done by internal senior bankers in different teams.”

“Loop is prompt and professional in all stages of the interview/hiring process. The firm seeks candidates who are smart, collaborative, and hungry to learn.”

“Interview and callback process takes a decent amount of time. The ideal candidate that the firm is seeking is probably one who will work hard and have a high level of attention to detail.”

“Ideally looking for young, well-educated candidates with tech experience.”

Interview Questions

“Tell me about a favorite transaction or engagement you've worked on. What is your approach to teamwork and advancing those around you?”
“How much can you grow this unit in one year, two years, and three years down the road?”

“Walk me through a DCF. How would you view this company in x industry?

“What is something you noticed in the market recently?”

Intern Experience

“Loop has a great internship program that provides college students with an early view of the financial services industry.”

“The small team size allowed for my voice to be heard and to get more exposure to top level managers.”

“Internship allowed me to get familiar with the industry and learn how to be successful in a corporate role.”

“I think Loop’s intern program is excellent. However, we could do a better job of converting interns into full-time employees.”

Career Development

“At Loop you have immediate access to senior bankers and clients, giving you perspectives that you won't get at other shops for a long time. There are limited opportunities to shift to international positions.”

“Virtual and facilitated opportunities exist with companies like Wall Street Prep and Training the Street. Junior-level employees are partnered with senior-level employees to help the former develop the skills and competencies necessary to succeed.”

“Loop does a very good job at getting younger/more junior employees access to a wide range of client facing opportunities, which promotes growth and development.”

“There’s a relatively flat line of communication between seniors and juniors, allowing for opportunities to learn from more experienced bankers.”

Quality of Life

“Loop has a very flat, very democratic culture where merit is acknowledged and respected. People are very collegial and not ‘title obsessed,’ meaning that colleagues’ responsiveness to others is rarely based on their relative rank in the firm—MDs respond to analysts as they would respond to another MD.”

“Loop is very flexible. Employees are trusted to get their work done.”

“Long hours but fulfilling work. And working remote one day per week is a quality of life positive (technology tethers and liberates us all at the same time).”

“People are reasonable with deadlines and try not to stress you out as much. However, there are a disproportionate number of people that may pull more weight than others.”

Salary and Benefits

“Salary and bonus are Street level. Firm can sometimes be a little stingy with the expenses but is usually relatively reasonable.”

“Loop offers very strong compensation and health insurance benefits.”

“We have a firm match to our 401(k)s—would be nice if the match were higher.”

“My bonus has decreased over the past three years, but I remain happy with my overall compensation.”

Wellness Efforts

“The firm sends out weekly wellness tips via a newsletter and provides other efforts through its health insurance policies.”

“Not as easy to locate the resources, but people are willing to connect you with the appropriate people and resources should you ask.”

“There are gym discounts.”

“The firm offers a wide range of wellness programs.”

Diversity and ESG Initiatives

“The firm does an excellent job of hiring people from all walks of life, and I can see it in the diversity of my colleagues.”

“There is a focus on exposing women and people of color to investment banking. The firm makes a concerted effort to ensure that our visibility is high here.”

“As a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), Loop does a very good job at recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive employee base.”

“The firm is exceptional at diversity and inclusion. However, there could be more employee resource groups, as well as more firmwide activities (panels, happy hours, etc.) to boost the culture for younger employees.”

Business Outlook

“With a talented (and growing) employee base, I believe Loop is well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities. The firm is nimble and consistently looking for new solutions and clients while also maintaining a high level of service for existing clients.”

“Senior employees are near retirement age. New hires are too junior to take over the senior posts.”

“We could do a better job of ensuring that employees know how the firm is doing and what our real prospects are.”

“Employee morale could be higher, but the business prospects are strong for my unit and for the firm as a whole.”