Leveraged Finance v. BB/MM Banking

I'm evaluating a few options right now. I have the opportunity to work for a BB IB, a MM IB, or a MM Leveraged Finance group. The leveraged finance group is particularly interesting because of A) the exposure to a universe of private equity funds (thinking exit ops), B) 80hrs/week v. 100+hrs/week (or so they claim), C) same pay ("competitive w/ the street").

Does anyone know much about leveraged finance pay and hours? I'm really interested in the LF job, but I don't want to make a choice that will hurt my long-term options. The firm is very well respected, unscathed by the credit crunch, and has offices all over the world.

3 Comments
 

sounds like you should learn a little more about what you're getting yourself into with the LF job, and then probably take it. How "middle market" are they? When you say well respected, do you mean like HLHZ, or flashy like Lazard? I think both of those firms do some middle market, which is why I asked.

I think you should take the job that interests you, because you'll be better at it, and you'll already be at a "very well respected" firm.

 

Vero molestiae provident voluptates dicta quasi. Harum aut perspiciatis ea sed.

Cum alias expedita rerum provident hic. Eveniet ea eos quas eius laborum consequuntur ipsa occaecati. Accusantium alias eius et rerum quia.

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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”