14 Comments
 

im going to be starting FT at my MM in july. the firm told me however that i will NOT be required to take either series license exams...

a) is this odd? it is a very reputable shop so they know what they are doing (its a MM bank talked about all the time on WSO) b) if i want to do PE/buyside recruitment which i am 99% positive i want to do (specifically PE)- will i be inelligble to qualify without the series 7 and/or 79? even if i am not required to for PE, will i be at a disadvantage to the candidates that are certified? c) should i press my firm to sponsor me to take the exams even if it not required?

thanks!!!! please help!

I don't throw darts at a board. I bet on sure things. Read Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Every battle is won before it is ever fought- GG
 

I'm new to IBD, so I shouldn't answer. However I am at a small-cap firm, and its required for us to complete the series 82 in 45 days and series 79 in 60 days after the 82.

Perhaps you will have the chance to get it later on?

Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
 
VolatileMonster

I'm new to IBD, so I shouldn't answer. However I am at a small-cap firm, and its required for us to complete the series 82 in 45 days and series 79 in 60 days after the 82.

Perhaps you will have the chance to get it later on?

If you are just an intern you don't need to be licensed. In order to be licensed, you need to be sponsored. Are you seriously trying to tell me that the firm you are working for is not going to pay for your prep materials?

Chop shop.

 
Best Response
AnalystMonkey2769

im going to be starting FT at my MM in july. the firm told me however that i will NOT be required to take either series license exams...

a) is this odd? it is a very reputable shop so they know what they are doing (its a MM bank talked about all the time on WSO)
b) if i want to do PE/buyside recruitment which i am 99% positive i want to do (specifically PE)- will i be inelligble to qualify without the series 7 and/or 79? even if i am not required to for PE, will i be at a disadvantage to the candidates that are certified?
c) should i press my firm to sponsor me to take the exams even if it not required?

thanks!!!! please help!

Yes, it is odd. Does the firm have a licensed B/D behind it? Did they explain why you wouldn't need a series license?

If they do have a B/D and most of the people are licensed, the only explanation might be that you are either not going to be working in an IB group (i.e. doing valuation work, just fairness opinions, etc.) or your activities will be limited or restricted enough where you will have minimal contact w/management and w/potential investors/lenders.

PE doesn't care about Series exams for the most part.

I would definitely press them to sponsor you, just in case you end up trying to lateral. It's easier to deal with this shit up front and when you are new.

 
peinvestor2012 AnalystMonkey2769:

im going to be starting FT at my MM in july. the firm told me however that i will NOT be required to take either series license exams...
a) is this odd? it is a very reputable shop so they know what they are doing (its a MM bank talked about all the time on WSO)
b) if i want to do PE/buyside recruitment which i am 99% positive i want to do (specifically PE)- will i be inelligble to qualify without the series 7 and/or 79? even if i am not required to for PE, will i be at a disadvantage to the candidates that are certified?
c) should i press my firm to sponsor me to take the exams even if it not required?
thanks!!!! please help!

Yes, it is odd. Does the firm have a licensed B/D behind it? Did they explain why you wouldn't need a series license?

If they do have a B/D and most of the people are licensed, the only explanation might be that you are either not going to be working in an IB group (i.e. doing valuation work, just fairness opinions, etc.) or your activities will be limited or restricted enough where you will have minimal contact w/management and w/potential investors/lenders.

PE doesn't care about Series exams for the most part.

I would definitely press them to sponsor you, just in case you end up trying to lateral. It's easier to deal with this shit up front and when you are new.

thanks for the response. i got in contact with some certified users on WSO and they assured me its not unsual. one of them worked at a similar well respected MM firm like the one i'll be joining and he told me he/no one else in his analyst class had to get either the series 7 or 79

another certified user told me not to worry and that even Lazard does not make analysts get either. i might talk to my bank though just in case i do want to lateral

glad to know that it wont hurt me for PE recruitment as well!

I don't throw darts at a board. I bet on sure things. Read Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Every battle is won before it is ever fought- GG
 

In numquam repellat explicabo quod aut enim officiis quisquam. Consequuntur aliquid necessitatibus est et est est corrupti. Quod eos est blanditiis autem dolore laborum. Iusto velit reprehenderit repellat minima magni rerum et dolorem. Vel nostrum optio accusantium beatae reprehenderit necessitatibus nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”