Going back to banking from L/S

Left a BB last year for a SM after 3.5 years in IB. Going into my 2nd year at a SM and the pay is slightly less than what I made at a BB ($400k at a SM). My experience at the SM has been fine but I want to be back in NY. I can maybe go back to my BB and have a path upwards. The downfall is that I might need to be an associate again in a BB vs. I have much more autonomy at the SM. Upside is I can see a career path in IB and being a good MD vs. IDK if I ever be good enough to be a PM. Not sure if I should just quit L/S now and go back to IB since it is safer. 

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