Breaking Into IB from DCM?

Hi friends, relatively new (as you can see) chimp here, since I have been unsuccessful in applying for IB in BBs, I have been going for interviews with boutiques to secure IB (M&A) SA 2019. Recently I have been in contact for a DCM (Bonds) role at an IBB (in-between banks eg. WellsFargo/Societe Generale) for Spring 2019. Assuming it is too competitive for me to even secure an IB SA with BB's/IBB, I'm wondering if DCM would be just as solid experience in my CV to prepare me for lateral mobility to BB/IBB M&A.

Edit 1. Background: target, not so fantastic GPA Edit 2. Borderline 2:1 Edit 3. Received Boutique M&A SA interviews, IBB DCM Spring interviews, BB S&T SA interview

35 Comments
 

My apologies, I should have been clearer to say breaking into IB M&A specifically. Any thoughts on how getting doing DCM role would value add in my application for the former? Would appreciate if anyone had experience from transitioning DCM to M&A. Based on what i have read online, ppl usually stay in DCM or get labelled by it..

 

My apologies, I should have been clearer to say breaking into IB M&A specifically. Any thoughts on how getting doing DCM role would value add in my application for the former? Would appreciate if anyone had experience from transitioning DCM to M&A. Based on what i have read online, ppl usually stay in DCM or get labelled by it.. [/quote] Depends on the bank. DCM and M&A are typically both product groups, moving from one to the other is simple with your senior team supporting you. At some banks, M&A is handled by the coverage teams. Still possible.

 

Be specific... what exactly is a "not so fantastic" GPA?

Dont try to be cool and say things like "beef me up for a seat at the table with you crazy kids from IB." Lmao

 

By not so fantastic I mean borderline 2:1. Expected to get shit on rather early on but didn’t think it would be this soon. Either ways I wouldn’t be deserving of ib internship if I can’t put up with this. You must be really fun to be around at parties huh.

 
Most Helpful

He's a fucking loser pay no attention. For as many specifics as he asks not once has he come forth with his real GPA / experience / what school he goes to. Just an internet troll that thinks he's hot shit because he's the only kid at his no-name school that knows about WSO.

DCM is generally considered IB. I'm assuming you're wondering if a SA stint at a Eurobank will transition well into FT recruiting. Obviously it won't be as impactful as having IB SA experience under your belt but most bank's won't think anything along the lines of "Eww DCM" since DCM is likely grouped under their own IBD.

 

Thanks for advice, thats what I thought too. ’m kinda in a smaller boutique m&a vs large euro bank DCM kinda situation here. At the time of application I tried for both IB M&A and capital markets but after networking I’m leaning towards M&A

 

Absolutely agree that there are other ways in IB - as well as in many other careers - to make a good career/live a darn good lifestyle. I think the reason for this cemented impression of M&A in students are three fold: First, it has been and still is popularized by many working professionals as among the most attractive paying job. This is also reinforced by the 'circle jerking culture' of bankers in the way that they present themselves and others in the industry. It also doesn't help that M&A has been glorified in Hollywood films as well. Having that said, as a student myself with no experience in this field I aim to get as much experience as possible to supplement my academic learning. I'm not the kind to claim that "IB is my destiny/I only want to do IB" etc. as I am young, way too young to know for sure until I try but lets be honest, won't deny that the reasons above has effected my impression!

 

Because careers advice is terrible and most students have an awful understanding of how the pieces of finance fit together. People have no idea that finance isn't just IB/PE.. the whole asset owner market of pension funds, E&F, treasury depts, all of the non-standard IB groups like securitised products, derivatives, capital structure advisory, etc are lost on most students considering a career in finance.

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 

Sed illum aut ex labore reiciendis ipsa deserunt suscipit. Et velit voluptatum id non. Cum nobis debitis magni. Repellendus ipsam tenetur consequuntur et aut suscipit rem.

At in aut ipsum corrupti reprehenderit. Repudiandae dolorem rem ut dignissimos id itaque quia. Assumenda aliquid quae aut ducimus quidem sit. Eum ex possimus quidem laborum aut voluptas. Eos sint repellat eos consequatur consequatur illo distinctio. Sunt eaque dolor illum distinctio.

Similique est culpa repudiandae tenetur eveniet placeat. Vel ea officia qui dolores dolor. Sed quia et exercitationem deleniti consequatur eligendi. Molestiae et quia aut.

Magnam recusandae et neque eos sed rem quia. Autem libero voluptas libero debitis vel. Distinctio soluta quo odio. Eveniet inventore sunt voluptas labore iusto. Ducimus doloremque magni ex quas architecto.

 

Vel doloribus adipisci facilis aliquid possimus aut illo. Sit suscipit aperiam suscipit qui.

Dolorum modi similique qui tempore rem dolorum. Sequi nihil fugiat qui aut neque voluptates quae qui. Itaque voluptas dicta eligendi facere quaerat enim.

Voluptatum suscipit sit dignissimos sit. Adipisci quidem ipsa libero. Molestias sunt et saepe inventore doloribus nihil.

Natus id ex culpa voluptatibus dolore et. Excepturi eaque nesciunt eligendi molestiae voluptates. Ab at possimus itaque velit. Expedita optio doloribus et velit necessitatibus. Laudantium et velit qui qui modi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”