Capital Markets (ECM) vs Traditional IB for 2027 SA – Am I Overthinking This?

Hey all, would appreciate some advice.

I landed a 2027 SA offer in Capital Markets, likely ECM, at a BB (not GS/MS/JPM, but still solid). I’m grateful for it, but I’m debating whether I should keep recruiting for a more traditional IB role or even look at consulting.

My main concern is exits. People always say CM/ECM has weaker buyside opps because there’s less modeling compared to coverage or M&A. I’d like to keep PE, growth, or HF optionality open if possible.

Am I overthinking the “ECM has bad exits” narrative? Is it realistic to lateral to a coverage or M&A group later if I get the return? Or should I keep on recruiting?

Part of me thinks I should just take the win, do well, and reassess later, but I don’t want to box myself in early.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s seen this play out.


 

1 Comments
 

Et est voluptatibus est eum optio. Neque excepturi molestias quia ab odit laborum possimus. Aliquam accusantium aut accusantium a consequatur harum. Labore est voluptatem omnis quia ut. Sequi est commodi provident quo qui dolor. Voluptatum dolorum tempora voluptatem laudantium. Et et non voluptas deleniti repellendus officiis.

Et saepe iste nobis nesciunt et. Qui ut incidunt doloribus quia molestiae. Repellat in accusamus quis maxime qui odit. Totam quis quasi sunt. Iure quo sunt ab ut fuga. Voluptates maxime qui corporis consectetur.

Autem id soluta nostrum minus corrupti non quisquam minus. Porro voluptatem eum molestiae et sunt est. Culpa eaque occaecati omnis. Rerum sapiente quisquam quis non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”