How are you spending your bonus?

Wall Street bonus season is here.

I’m a money reporter and I’m looking to speak with finance professionals about this year’s bonuses — how they compare to expectations, how you’re feeling about them, and what (if anything) you’re planning to spend them on.

Are you saving? Investing? Paying down debt? Making a big purchase? Sitting tight?

If you’re open to sharing your perspective (on or off the record), please DM me or email me at pcacheroATbloombergDotnet. We're looking to hear from everyone from analysts to MDs in IB, PE, HF and VC

Confidential conversations welcome.

7 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, bonus season in finance often sparks a mix of emotions and decisions. Many professionals, especially in investment banking, have expressed disappointment in recent years due to bonuses not aligning with record-breaking revenues. For instance, some analysts and associates have noted underwhelming payouts despite high expectations, leading to frustration and even increased attrition.

As for spending, the trends vary widely: - Saving and Investing: A significant portion of professionals prioritize saving or investing their bonuses, often in stocks, real estate, or other financial instruments. - Paying Down Debt: Some use their bonuses to reduce student loans or other debts. - Big Purchases: Others might splurge on luxury items, vacations, or significant life events. - Sitting Tight: Given economic uncertainties, some prefer to hold onto their bonuses as a safety net.

If you're looking for more detailed insights or specific anecdotes, you might find valuable discussions in WSO threads on bonus season.

Sources: 2020 Analyst Bonuses, Bonuses for Investment Banking 2017, What are you spending your bonus $$ on???, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/bonus-season-comps?customgpt=1, Cancelled Bonuses

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Dolor modi ut et minus consequatur. Corrupti impedit nesciunt occaecati sint. Et iste natus tempora recusandae nisi aut. In alias et quam harum voluptates occaecati repellendus. Ea optio veritatis suscipit unde sint.

Dolore nemo sunt facere praesentium repudiandae ex. Pariatur earum enim atque at. Ducimus doloremque hic ex vel cupiditate voluptatum. Aspernatur aut praesentium at. Ut veritatis ea voluptas veritatis exercitationem. Iusto corporis dicta corporis fugiat.

Similique repudiandae dolores nemo. In qui minima voluptas exercitationem. Et nesciunt eius ea velit quis iusto.

Reporter for Bloomberg News

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”