Lateral from US LO AM to Asian equivalent

Hello! Been with a reputable LO AM in a sector specific research role. I really like everything about the firm and the role but family matters came up and we're looking to move somewhere close to east Asia while still being in the equity research space. Some questions I had are: - Hong Kong: Does not being able to speak Cantonese or Mandarin put me at a substantial disadvantage? - Singapore / HK / Korea: Has anyone made the move? If so, what is the process like with regards to work visa and sponsorships? - Singapore / HK / Korea: Would anyone know the top tier LO AMs in these countries? - Lateral in general: How many YOE do LO AMs typically want in their candidates? Thank you all in advance!

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Singapore is your only real bet. 

They're sponsoring visas again although it's not nearly as free and easy as it was back in the day, plus the local market is ridiculously competitive (what college you went to can surprisingly count for a lot even as an experienced professional). AM there also feels pretty conservative; there seems to be a skew towards local (Asia/China) equities coverage and international real estate investment, so if you have those skills it might be easier. You don't seem to have the diversity of strategies that you see in Western financial hubs. 

I'd forget local firms (low pay, bad culture, and probably wouldn't hire a non-Chinese anyway) with the exception of GIC and Temasek, but again, super competitive. Best bet would be an internal transfer within an international company, i.e. same sector different geography. 

More experienced the better, they need to be able to point out why they're hiring you over one of their (highly qualified) own. 

 

Dolore architecto voluptates ullam est. Repellendus dolor eum et ducimus. At rem voluptatem aut iure. Quo corporis omnis ex doloribus. Facilis omnis enim velit nulla et.

Facere aut veritatis quas. Nihil quia quos in voluptas et facilis ad.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”