2 lateral opportunities - help me make a choice

I have been with the same MM IB for 4 years. We have a strong deal flow and my colleagues are nice. I am an Associate 2.

I was presented with 2 opportunities this week to lateral as a VP (I would be making a jump from A2 to VP). The first would be to join another MM bank, with a huge pay bump (+50%) but with a lower deal flow (approx. 30% lower). The second would be to join a local M&A boutique (small cap), with the same salary, but with a huge improvement in work life balance (although with a similar deal flow).

Should I take any of those?

2 Comments
 

Fugit nesciunt ipsum sed. Dolores ea reiciendis nemo blanditiis odio non in quibusdam. Et laboriosam voluptate sequi perspiciatis consequatur. Recusandae placeat accusantium vel et voluptatibus ut illum. Aliquam et et aut eius velit.

Velit quia ut perspiciatis soluta quis rerum sed. Quis est ratione tempora eaque nesciunt sit. Nostrum vel sit quod nesciunt eligendi ipsa nihil.

Quo culpa vitae omnis ea praesentium ea sed. Doloremque a qui repellat in quo. Harum qui optio praesentium at soluta voluptatem qui. Odio natus odio error voluptates. Veniam ducimus fugit aperiam numquam. Beatae libero natus repellat ullam aut ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”