Corporate Banking: Hidden gem?

It’s a personal choice.

I was in a similar position in that I had been working in MM direct lending which is a relative snooze but also interesting at times. I was actively recruiting and networking to move into restructuring however decided to stay given the extra 30% comp doesn’t really materialise given taxation and the additional hours make this a very low hourly income activity. I would prefer working extra hours vocationally doing something I enjoy or perhaps as an independent consultant rather than doing Rx and getting marginally $10 per hour.

Only if you want to go into PE 

Personally don't think it's worth it if you're happy in your role. You can always go to credit/debt focused PE from your seat. Sounds like you would move as an ASO, you don't have the same PE exits at that point so if you're not trying to stay in IB might as well just save yourself the trauma

I'm in a similar position but not to the degree where I've been networking externally... been thinking about whether I should exit to a more technical role for career development versus staying and enjoying the lifestyle that comes with CB. WLB has been beyond amazing as I never have weekend work and leave around 5:30 - 6 on the regular while getting comped the same as my IB peers (albeit a haircut on bonus). To add, I enjoy my group and sector. I guess only time will tell. 

Per your question, it ultimately comes down to what do you want? I suggest reflecting on what you envision for your career and whether CB leads you there, while also thinking about lifestyle considerations. Are you ok with not being to have control over your schedule like you do in CB? Are you prepared to spend less time with friends/loved ones? What will get you through those late nights once you do make the pivot? There's a reason IB has such high attrition and it would be best if you fully think through some of the caveats that come with the switch. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener but if it helps position you to where you want to be career-wise then the pivot could be worth considering. 

Not totally off the mark headline in my view. Culture is probably less toxic and less sexually frustrated 34 year-old VPs you tend to find in investment banking, and the work is likely more meaningful if you play the numbers game and actually think about the experience you will have as a junior-level analyst. In the current reality, the experience as a first year analyst in investment banking will likely cause significant harm to your mental health and overall life perspective. Too many NPCs at the VP and director level who take their own insecurities out on entry-level analysts who don't know any better to see that these people are really just lonely creatures who are deeply insecure. Of course, i could be totally wrong here. Some groups have great people with great cultures, but it is rare in my view. And even if you have a great culture, there is an ambiguous unspoken mandate that for some reason you must work 80 hours in order to be successful in advising corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, when in reality it all comes down to client relationship management and competitive strategy which is much less about the buyer profiles and cookie cutter LBO models and more-so a game of poker among the few actual decision makers in these transactions, and facilitating the process such that you maximize competitive tension and perceived interest in order to maximize transaction value, and fee income for the bank. 

Don’t want to hijack the thread but maybe this will give you some perspective—I am in IB and would like to move over to corp banking.

Anybody know somebody who has done this? Would this be relatively easy?