Dead Market for Lateral Opportunities

Hello,

I've been on the prowl for investment banking lateral analyst opportunities since the start of this summer, but the opportunities at the BB/EB/top-tier MM level have been very few and far in between. Would really appreciate any input that other investment bankers can share, either on a macro-level or perhaps more bank specific.

Is the market for lateral hiring not good because of the economy and drop in IB revenue many banks are seeing this year? Did a lot of banks overhire in previous cycles and therefore are overstaffed currently?

Also, I understand some banks are paying bonuses in Q1 now - is that a more opportunistic time for openings as analysts take off after getting their bonuses? I thought that would be the case for this summer, but it didn't turn out to be that way.

Thanks.

4 Comments
 

I found the same thing, and chose to lateral out of banking into the tech world. I wrote a book about it at http://financeto.tech/ Maybe you would find it helpful and I would appreciate any feedback. as far as what I am hearing this year in MM, there is too much contraction across the industry coming from the top, for people to want to take in a lateral. For you to be in a position to consider lateraling and not being worried about your own seat I fell like is a rare position to be in this season /

 
Best Response

I'm seeing the EXACT same thing! I'm looking to lateral into an IBD Associate role and I can confirm that there are much fewer positions this year than last.

I've talked with several head hunters who told me that not only are banks not looking to hire, many are cutting their teams. Ive submitted several applications thus far and haven't even had as much as a first round interview. Last year I had tons.

 

Aut enim voluptas in voluptatem similique. Sed labore animi voluptas dolores vitae nostrum voluptas. Consequatur alias et iure provident et odio aut optio. Sit voluptas quaerat dolores. Iste cupiditate et deleniti aut quia. Corporis eaque autem explicabo explicabo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”