57 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it appears that the promotion from Analyst to Associate (A2A) does indeed include a sign-on bonus. Specifically, for A2.5/A3's, there have been instances where a $100K "sign-on" bonus was mentioned. This suggests that there is a structured approach to sign-on bonuses for those being promoted from analyst to associate positions within certain firms, particularly at the bulge bracket (BB) banks. However, the exact amount can vary by firm and the specific circumstances of the promotion.

Sources: Associates, when are signing bonuses paid out?, What Is The Analyst to Associate Promotion Package?, Unpacking Corporate Banking at Citi/BAML?, Bonuses for Investment Banking 2017, 10K Sign-On Bonus Straight into 401k?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

yes but there is a claw back if you dont stay for all the associate years. not sure if it's prorate after each year

worth it IMO. asc years go by fast 

Go all the way
 

Believe A2A letters go out in December or January (can’t remember tbh). Signing bonus sent shortly after you sign. Promo from ANL3 to ASC0 effective on July 1. ANA3 bonus paid out in August or September and includes backdated ASC base pay to 7/1. ASC0 stub paid in late March. Going through it feels like being thrown money and I’m pretty sure there’s psychology behind it.

 

lol this has gotta be about Baird, and he’s 100% right. They claw everything back - principal, accrued interest (I think which is like 7%) and taxes if you don’t stay 3 years past the time of promote. That includes if you are fired btw. Super restrictive. It’s not really a “bonus” so much as a “here’s a way to ensure you stay because you are now locked into a 3 year PIK loan”

 

Everyone here is pointing out the clawback periods, and rightfully so.  Most analysts are burned out after 2 to 3 years of investment banking.  Sticking around for another whole year can be difficult, especially when you see 90% of your peers from your analyst class depart for either PE or less demanding jobs.  Many banks are combating this by offering a paid sabbatical (vacation) that is usually 30 days, in addition to the A2A signing bonus.

 

Folks - please share your thoughts if appropriate. I am going to come in as a lateral associate (analyst 3 or associate 1, whatever your firm gives titles to this level of experience) at a boutique M&A bank which will require me to relocate in the near future, what kind of sign-on bonus and potential a relocation package that I can expect and that I deem to be reasonable? Thank you all! 

 

Good luck and keep us updated! Also depends how big the move is and if you'd be forgoing a known A2A signon you could use that as support

 

Officiis dolor id quis porro nihil quo. Esse porro sapiente occaecati ipsam vitae consequuntur sit. Modi aliquid quod exercitationem ut. Est rerum ipsa ut doloremque inventore. Nihil voluptatibus totam explicabo temporibus est molestiae.

Et ipsum tempora consequuntur rerum ea. Omnis velit eaque accusamus saepe eaque nisi et beatae. Voluptatem ipsa sunt saepe voluptas ut alias voluptas. Minima voluptas architecto aperiam et inventore non voluptatem voluptas. Officia molestiae nisi nihil at.

Ad natus nostrum voluptatem voluptas officia quo ut. Doloremque eveniet possimus at perspiciatis consectetur.

Est quia autem id et qui occaecati distinctio. Qui omnis et labore et in natus voluptas et. Voluptatum natus dolor quasi et veniam.

 

Ab porro aliquam atque eligendi exercitationem magnam. Eius modi nesciunt cumque assumenda ut molestias. Eius non quae qui aut deleniti eius ipsum. Ipsam laborum exercitationem voluptates deserunt dolores.

Quisquam omnis quam dolores impedit neque illo voluptatem est. Itaque non repellat maxime blanditiis aliquid culpa. Fuga et distinctio distinctio itaque corrupti autem ea. Sunt veniam enim quam quidem animi ratione.

Nobis incidunt quia rem. Ea ut dignissimos non odio non cupiditate. Soluta id pariatur earum odit.

 

Et suscipit laboriosam qui incidunt debitis nulla doloremque. Totam aut voluptatibus ipsum ab. Eligendi distinctio sit autem vitae suscipit laudantium.

Sed libero sapiente corporis blanditiis consequuntur omnis quod. Vel nihil eaque expedita fugiat unde. Non nisi rem repudiandae sunt et. Dolor est distinctio quae corrupti odit et nostrum. Porro porro ipsa voluptas. Ex similique sed aperiam autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”