Let’s say you’re an Associate 3 in 2025, you get promoted to VP at the end of ‘25/beginning of ‘26. Is your February 2026 bonus an associate 3 bonus or a VP bonus? Guessing it varies by bank but you should get paid up with the promotion no?
| +98 | New Article: Dramatic Slide as UBS #22 (US) & New Leadership Desperately Needed | 20 | 9m |
| +77 | Americas M&A League Table Q2 Updated | 30 | 21m |
| +72 | Wealthy Parents / Jaded | 24 | 10m |
| +55 | How are hours rn for SA (interns) | 30 | 4h |
| +46 | Venezuela Debt Restructuring - LAZ vs CVP | 22 | 11h |
| +42 | A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SUMMER INTERNSHIP RECRUITING | 10 | 24m |
| +37 | Boutique firm wants access to my LinkedIn? | 31 | 1h |
| +28 | Investment Banking in Mexico | 8 | 4h |
| +26 | MM bottom bucket bonus | 9 | 3d |
| +24 | UBS GIG, LevFin, FSG Interns working Sundays and 85 hour weeks their first week? | 12 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, bonus timing and amounts during a promotion can vary significantly by bank. However, the general trend is that your February 2026 bonus would likely reflect your performance as an Associate 3, not as a VP, since bonuses are typically tied to the role and performance during the prior year.
Promotions often come with a "stub" bonus or an adjustment in the following cycle to align with your new role. Some banks may offer a prorated VP bonus if the promotion occurs early enough in the bonus cycle, but this is less common. It’s always a good idea to clarify with HR or your manager to understand how your specific bank handles this transition.
Sources: Millionaire by 30, Millionaire by 30, IB VP or Associate to PE -- is this a thing?, A2A - what has been your experience ?, IB Associate and VP Exits - Where are you now?
Tenetur eaque reiciendis placeat dolores hic et cum. Omnis nisi architecto sed officia commodi nobis. Rem sequi libero numquam nobis facere.
Porro iure ullam dolores voluptate. Sint distinctio eum nam vel ut ut rem. Delectus distinctio quia molestias eius qui quia. Ut totam id nobis debitis aut consequatur consectetur a.
Et aut sint quasi sint sed. Ea corporis expedita fuga. Non ut quod rerum fugit. Sed commodi et autem in ratione cumque optio.
Velit impedit rem deleniti et quaerat est est. Autem sapiente eos reiciendis consequuntur repellat reprehenderit quibusdam non. Provident facilis reiciendis rem eaque quas dolor. Sunt ratione reiciendis magnam eum nobis quis repellat perferendis. Natus sed ipsam ducimus sed quam. Aut dolores itaque et eaque expedita quis veniam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...