Macquarie Bank Reviews

Pros

Good people at the bank make it a nice place to work. Very youthful group and fun loving when time permits.

Cons

Macquarie in HK is small compared the the other banks and relatively unknown. In terms of deal flow there is a lot more pitching than in Australia.

Advice to Senior Management

Good stuff

Pros

great people to work with. not as much face time as compared to other banks such as RBC and BMO

Cons

Terrible management overall for all branches across the company. People are leaving because of the way they are treated by Macquarie group.

Advice to Senior Management

Start paying people for the work they do. Or else you'll be left with no one to work for you

Pros

Near-Limitless opportunity and freedom to pursue professional goals and drive towards success; extremely flat management structure enabling direct contact with senior leadership; open and honest feedback; openminded views towards new ideas that rewards success and challenges you to exceed your own professional comfort envelope.

Cons

Lack of structure and formalization sometimes appears to engender lax standards; some unclear goals require personal research in order to determine true corporate strategy; communication open and honest but not always as proactive as one might like.

Advice to Senior Management

Realize that for new employees, unaccustomed to Macquarie's culture, that the openness and freedom is both a blessing and a challenge. Strive to provide more clarity around goals and objectives for new employees, to provide a better balance of guidance and support, and freedom.

Pros

Pay was good compared to other jobs
Training and development
Office location
People
Education
Kitchen

Cons

Horrible management and encouragement
M
Networking not allowed
Incompetent leaders
Master of the universe mentality

Advice to Senior Management

Need to provide encouragement to innovation

Pros

Great people to work with
Fantastic locations and environment

Cons

Long Hours
once you receive a label as being part of one team it can be difficult to move into another team

Advice to Senior Management

Communication is Key. Not everythign needs to be treated as ultra sensitive as the vast majority of people can keep their mouths shut when they need to.

Pros

Macquarie have a great brand and certainly bend over backwards to help you get your job done. They do this with additional resources, equipment and by ensuring a comfortable work environment.

Cons

The work isn't as challenging as it should be and despite having so many resources, many staff only know processes they have been taught and do not understand the function they are performing

Pros

Nice office
Majority of people are nice
If you're in the right team then it will be really fun experience
Depending on what you do, working hours are quite flexible

Cons

Bonus allocation isn't fair
Managers don't really know what they're doing
People are laid back
Alot of people in Australia reckon its hard to get into Macquarie and everyone that gets in is really smart - its not true
In the 2 years I've been there, they had two rounds of sacking people, one during the GFC, another because a new head is taking over, so you never know when you'll be next

Pros

- free soft drinks, cereals, fruit, coffees, luxury fruit for all all day
- free Xmas present for staff a nice touch

Cons

- very masculine environment
- some management are aggressive

Pros

- Young culture
- Well known brand
- Known in the market as difficult to get into, so once in there, you kind of gain a bit of status.

Cons

- Very bad people management.
- Team communications appalling.
- Some managers - clearly don't know how they got there in the first place.
- Departments work in silos and like to own knowledge rather than share.
- People like to pass the buck and not take responsibility.
- Decisions change all the time. Sometimes very indecisive.
- Many things done for the short term. Lack long term vision.
- Boys club in many areas, especially at the top.
- Pay usually below market while they promise you bonuses which never happen.

Advice to Senior Management

There are reasons why there is usually a high turnover in many departments.
Management needs to show more competency and leadership.
People should be adequately paid for what they are worth.
There are many opportunities at Macquarie - if only management would support their employees in getting them.

Pros

- Competitive pay
- Youthful environment

Cons

- Culture effected by GFC

Advice to Senior Management

Rebalance work/life demands