2013 Bonus Season: increase from the weak bonuses?

So what do you guys think? Fees have been revived a little bit in the LTM, particularly with the huge deals in Q1'13. Are we going to see an increase from the weak bonuses of last year?

 

Not sure that top-bucket analyst bonuses are that group dependent or even that bank dependent. So often the banks want to stick to "street level" bonuses, that, at least for top-ranking analysts, the numbers are fairly similar, maybe 5-10k different. I agree, though, that at associate and above and even mid to low bucket analysts there's significantly more group and bank dependent variability

 
ayoayo:

Not sure that top-bucket analyst bonuses are that group dependent or even that bank dependent. So often the banks want to stick to "street level" bonuses, that, at least for top-ranking analysts, the numbers are fairly similar, maybe 5-10k different. I agree, though, that at associate and above and even mid to low bucket analysts there's significantly more group and bank dependent variability

To clarify - if you're in Barcap municipal finance vs M&A, there will be a noticeable difference in average numbers. Top bucket will be top bucket, but only the top couple analysts even make it there.

 

The compensation consultants say pay will be up a tad this year, but analyst bonuses are always tough to predict due to the random rounding to the nearest $5k.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
ayoayo:

Agreed, but generally people reference top-bucket numbers when comparing bonuses across years

True, but that's a pretty misleading measure, to be honest. A lot of firms are propping up their top-bucket bonuses to match the Street, but making up the difference by cutting the lower-tier bonuses and decreasing the number of analysts that receive top-bucket pay. But I guess no one is shopping firms based on the mid- or low-tier bucket, even though that's what most of them will be receiving.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
NorthSider:
ayoayo:

Agreed, but generally people reference top-bucket numbers when comparing bonuses across years

True, but that's a pretty misleading measure, to be honest. A lot of firms are propping up their top-bucket bonuses to match the Street, but making up the difference by cutting the lower-tier bonuses and decreasing the number of analysts that receive top-bucket pay. But I guess no one is shopping firms based on the mid- or low-tier bucket, even though that's what most of them will be receiving.

agree completely
 
NorthSider:

True, but that's a pretty misleading measure, to be honest. A lot of firms are propping up their top-bucket bonuses to match the Street, but making up the difference by cutting the lower-tier bonuses and decreasing the number of analysts that receive top-bucket pay. But I guess no one is shopping firms based on the mid- or low-tier bucket, even though that's what most of them will be receiving.

I can't speak directly to the reasoning behind the practice, but I was told by a trusted friend that works for a sizable IB that something similar was going on at his bank. Essentially fewer people were getting top bucket and then the spacing between the other buckets was spreading out a bit and the folks in the bottom bucket were getting significantly less than the bucket above them...as opposed to years past were it might have just been $5k or $10k, it's more likely to be $15k or $20k.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 
Best Response
cphbravo96:
NorthSider:

True, but that's a pretty misleading measure, to be honest. A lot of firms are propping up their top-bucket bonuses to match the Street, but making up the difference by cutting the lower-tier bonuses and decreasing the number of analysts that receive top-bucket pay. But I guess no one is shopping firms based on the mid- or low-tier bucket, even though that's what most of them will be receiving.

I can't speak directly to the reasoning behind the practice, but I was told by a trusted friend that works for a sizable IB that something similar was going on at his bank. Essentially fewer people were getting top bucket and then the spacing between the other buckets was spreading out a bit and the folks in the bottom bucket were getting significantly less than the bucket above them...as opposed to years past were it might have just been $5k or $10k, it's more likely to be $15k or $20k.

Regards

That's correct. Ranges are much wider than they used to be. $20k is an understatement at some places.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Et ex sit nemo. Velit rerum consequatur ut culpa. Eum aut cupiditate qui ipsum cumque. Rerum assumenda ipsum sit molestias et sequi est. Veniam inventore consequatur repudiandae nesciunt atque.

Ut sint quia eos id. Reiciendis doloribus aut sed accusamus fugit. Est esse suscipit et aut perspiciatis occaecati cupiditate.

Voluptatem repudiandae velit beatae laboriosam eos quisquam voluptas. Molestias fugiat odit qui perspiciatis sint voluptas cum. Modi pariatur sit id ipsa quia aut.

Molestiae et facilis et. Aut asperiores ut possimus minima. Nostrum ab rem dicta aut sequi doloremque quam dolores. Dicta aliquam eveniet cumque eum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”