Jan 04, 2025

Is DCM a dead end?

Looking to make a move from current role in CIB. Approaching 1 yr on the job and feel like I’m not learning a ton.

I’m interested in credit long term but don’t want to be a career banker. How realistic is it to spend 2-4 years in DCM then move to a credit shop? (PC, Liquid Credit, Credit research etc…) Or would I be pretty limited to Corp Treasury roles?

Would I be better off trying to lateral to HY / LevFin instead? Don’t want to be worked to death…

Thanks!

7 Comments
 

Im fine with 60-70hrs, I don’t really have a life anyways. Would you say on average foreign banks have better WLB? How much does the specific desk you’re on play a factor? I’ve heard syndication is chiller… what about Corps vs. FIG? Appreciate the advice

 

Yes, I would say the foreign banks have better WLB on average. Syndicate at my bank is actually the opposite and pretty sweaty. Group definitely matters in terms of hours, the sweatiest groups I would say probably work an average of 5 - 10 hours more per week than the rest.

 

if you want to transition to PC, LevFin is the obvious choice by a mile.

source: went from LevFin to PC
we don’t hire DCM bankers. not that we’d turn them away without a look but if you don’t have experience being in the weeds on the credit, model, memo then why would we pick someone who spent more time doing comps and syndication work. it doesn’t make sense.

 

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