Wells, my subject is pretty self-explanatory.
After you sign a 2-year analyst program contract, is it at all possible to leave the firm after only 1 year? How binding is this 2-year contract? I assume this varies case by case / firm by firm, but just wanted to get some idea. Anybody who's done this (leaving before completing their 2 year program)?
Thanks in advance.
| +162 | The "Not So Obvious" things that get you a return offer? | 19 | 34m | |
| +92 | Is my life over after not getting GS? | 20 | 2h | |
| +62 | Best IB group on the Street | 26 | 1h | |
| +52 | BIG FOUR ARE PARADISE | 13 | 14h | |
| +46 | Thoughts and tips on how to speak like an investment banker. | 24 | 2h | |
| +41 | Tell me one good reason why Jefferies isn’t going to be a top bank in the next 5 years | 22 | 2h | |
| +36 | UBS Outlook | 28 | 1d | |
| +35 | Georgetown Placement for 2024 and 2025 | 21 | 6d | |
| +33 | How to deal with egotistical team? | 6 | 2d | |
| +31 | Highest Paid Bankers in Toronto? | 50 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Your not a slave, you have the freedom to quit your job on day 2 or day 700. All they can do is possibly take back your sign on bonus if you didn't complete a certain amount of time. Lots of people leave after receiving their year end bonus. The only organization in the US which can force you to stay is the military and I've met plenty of shitbags who have manipulated their way out of that contract.
Thanks, marine13910.
Another question I have is,
Suppose you land a position at PE firm and wanna quit your IB job. Your firm asked you to give them back a sign-on bonus (10k). Can you ask your new firm (PE) to take that into consideration and give you bigger sign-on bonus or such?
Thanks again.
Usually it is stipulated in your contract the minimum time needed for you to stay at the firm for you to keep your sign on. At my bank it was 3 months after your start date. I wouldn't worry about that hypothetical as more than likely you wouldn't make the switch to buyside not until you have done a complete year.
Thanks, bearing.
they will often buy you out
employee at will in most, if not all contracts at banks meaning you can quit/get fired at any time. and i agree with jimbo, your PE firm will buy you out. ive had buddies leave partway into their 2nd year and the firm bought out their bonuses as well
Thank you both for replies. Very helpful.
you can leave whenever the fuck you want and they can fire you whenever the fuck they want
Keep in mind that most PE firms want you to stay for at least 2 years so you will never actually forgo a bonus.
quitting before 2 year stint? (Originally Posted: 09/25/2006)
what happens if i decide to quit a year in to attend grad school?
nothing
the investment bank will hire an assasin to kill you, to prevent you from spreading their secrets.
but yeah dan is right nothing will happen, from the posts on here it seems like half the people quit right after they get their first year bonus.
A friend of a friend quit at month 10 right before bonus. They made him give back his signing bonus too.
Since he spoke spanish they had him flying between mexico, south america and spain every week.
most analysts don't quit...if you quit after your first year you get to keep the bonus and sign-on.
before that and you get no bonus and you lost a portion of the signon
when do year end bonuses come in?
Associate bonuses come January - right?
not good for your rep
Nothing, unless you want to go back to tha bank sometime later, but most people that leave don't do it for grad school they leave it for HFs
Placeat voluptas quis quam omnis accusamus ex consequatur. Voluptatem minus pariatur corrupti commodi aut voluptate. Labore laboriosam perferendis enim voluptatem error corporis eum voluptatem. Eos suscipit qui possimus illo.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...