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McKinsey’s AI Pivot

McKinsey is increasingly transforming into a results-driven, tech-led consulting firm. With approximately 25% of its revenue coming from AI and related consulting, the firm has deployed around 12,000 AI agents to automate tasks like research summaries and deck creation—ushering in a new, AI-infused project model. Those bots now assist consultants in building PowerPoints, note taking and summarizing interviews and research documents for clients. The most-used bot is one that helps employees write in a classic “McKinsey tone of voice”—language the firm describes as sharp, concise and clear. Another popular AI agent checks the logic of a consultant’s arguments, verifying that the flow of reasoning makes sense. As a result, about 40% of McKinsey’s revenue now comes from AI-related work, and 25% of projects are delivered on an outcomes-based model. The firm has also reduced headcount from 45,000 to 40,000, indicating a shift toward leaner, AI-augmented teams.

Why it matters: The move signals that the era of pure thought leadership is giving way to intelligent execution — emphasis is shifting from human-intensive research to tech-enabled problem solving.

Evercore Expands Internationally

Evercore, one of the top elite boutiques based out of New York City, plans to bolster its presence across EMEA by acquiring Robey Warshaw, a UK advisory firm. Evercore acquired Robey Warshaw for $196 million, this will give Evercore more than 400 bankers across nine countries. This acquisition also significantly enhances Evercore's market position in the UK, the largest M&A advisory market in Europe. However, this acquisition is only one part of a aggressive two-pronged strategy to strengthen Evercore’s presence in Europe. The second part is a new senior leadership hire: Luigi de Vecchi, a renowned dealmaker with a track record that includes the €50B Essilor‑Luxottica merger and LVMH’s $16B acquisition of Tiffany. He s joining Evercore as chair of its continental European advisory business. Based in Milan, his hire is a central point in expanding the firm’s presence in Italy and broader Europe.

Student Takeaway: Evercore’s push into new global markets shows how investment banks are chasing cross-border deal flow and diversifying revenue beyond the U.S. For us students, it’s a reminder that finance careers are becoming increasingly international—language skills, cultural awareness, and a grasp of global market dynamics are becoming competitive advantages.

Definition: How quickly and easily an asset can be converted into cash without significantly affecting its price.

2 Types:

Liquidity matters because it affects both risk and flexibility. Highly liquid assets give you quick access to cash in emergencies or opportunities, while illiquid assets might trap your capital. For example, if you own $50,000 in a savings account (highly liquid), you can instantly use it to cover expenses. But if all your wealth is tied up in a rental property (illiquid), selling it could take months.

Mistake: Not tailoring your interview answers to a specific firm/role

One of the fastest ways to sound like just another candidate in a finance interview is to give answers that could apply to any company in the industry. Saying things like “I’m passionate about markets” or “I want to work with smart people” might be true — but they’re vague and interchangeable. Recruiters and interviewers hear these lines dozens of times a day, and they do nothing to show why you belong at their firm.

Instead, think of each interview like a pitch. Your job is to convince them that not only are you qualified for the role, but you’ve taken the time to understand what makes their firm unique. That means knowing their recent deals, strategic moves, culture, and even their competitive advantages. For example, if you’re interviewing at Evercore, mentioning their recent international expansion and how it aligns with your interest in cross-border M&A immediately signals that you’re prepared and engaged.

The key takeaway: Specificity sells. The more you can tie your skills, interests, and goals directly to what the firm is doing right now, the more you’ll stand out from other candidates. Think of it less like answering questions and more like connecting dots between you and them.

Just like an investor diversifies assets, you should diversify the skills and knowledge you’re building in college. Too many finance students wait until recruiting season to start learning about industries, market trends, and technical skills — but the students who stand out are the ones who are already fluent in what’s happening in the business world.

A “knowledge portfolio” means combining three elements:

If you’re constantly learning, networking, and applying what you know, you’ll walk into any interview or networking event not just prepared, but confident. In finance, credibility comes from showing you’ve put in the work before someone asks you to.

On Wednesday the 6th Blackstone announced that they have entered into an agreement to acquire Enverus, a Texas-based premier data analytics energy intelligence platform, from Hellman & Friedman and Genstar Capital. This acquisition aligns with Blackstone's strategic focus on the energy sector, particularly in areas experiencing significant transformation such as energy transition, AI integration, and global reach. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, the deal is expected to be financed with approximately $3 billion in debt. Here’s the breakdown:

Acquirer: Blackstone Inc.
Target: Enverus,
Deal Value: Approximately $6.5 billion, with potential earnouts based on performance metrics
Expected Closing: End of 2025
Advisors:

Student Takeaway: This deal highlights the importance of understanding sector-specific dynamics, the role of technology in modernizing industries, and the strategic considerations behind large-scale acquisitions.

The time to get ahead is now. Whether you’re back on campus or returning in a few weeks, right now is the perfect time to get ahead of your classmates and peers. Talk with your new professors after class and build strong relationships with them. In my opinion, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a “teacher’s pet”. In fact, I believe that building those strong interpersonal relationships with professors is what can separate you from being stuck right before the mid-term to walking into the test confidently. Even if you dislike your professor, suck up to them.

Spend the extra time these first few months back on campus to completely understand the content you’re learning. Don’t get behind and dig yourself a hole that you can’t get out of. Save the partying and going out for when you have that 4.0 :).

Welcome to Campus Capital. Each week, we’ll break down the finance world in 5 minutes or less.
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My name is Braunsen Bax, I’m a honors finance and accounting student-athlete at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois (45 mins outside of Chicago). I graduated from Walton High School in Marietta Georgia. Outside of the classroom I compete in the throws events for the Track & Field team, 35 time NCAA DIII national champions. I’ve had a love of finance and the business world since my sophomore year of high school and started Campus Capital to share that love with my community and like minded individuals in a similar position, with similar goals. My mission is to help people like me shape their futures to ensure they reach their goals while being up to date and educated in the Finance industry.