Do most BB analysts leave after their 2nd year or 3rd year?

Curious as to if most BB analysts leave after their 2nd or 3rd year for PE. Is it better to leave after your 2nd or 3rd, does it matter? Are most full-time analyst programs 2 or 3 years?

I seem to see mixed things on this, I have seen many analysts stay 3 years then leave, or stay 2 years an leave. It seems like 2 years it the most common, but I am curious. Do most BB's just assume that analysts are going to leave after 2 years or do analysts staying usually always get promoted if they are good?

Is it better to leave after 2 years to get the best chance at PE placement - as in do PE firms preference 2nd year exiters from IB versus 3rd years or does it not matter?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

A lot of questions there but I'll answer a few of them:

  • The BB is trending towards 2 year analysts programs as many have removed the third year analyst year - opting for promotion after 2 years
  • A number of banks want to retain analysts now adays so they are trying to keep analysts when possible - so if you want to stay and you're decent they will likely find a spot for you
  • If the bank does have a 3rd year analyst program it doesn't really matter when you leave. If you strike out in on-cycle recruiting during your frist year or if you decide late that you want to recruit, and you have your heart set on a MF or UMM you can take a second run at it in on-cycle 2 - with a plan to start in 2 years (so after your third year as an analyst). Going into the second on-cycle window you will have an edge over your first year peers since you will likely be a better modeler and will have real deal experience - so that can be helpful.
    - Interestingly, some people will do on-cycle their second year - take the A to A promotion with the intention of starting at their buy side exit op after their 1st year as an associate - this may burn some bridges at your bank, but an option

Just observations based on my experiences. Hope this helps.

 

Ratione omnis assumenda et pariatur mollitia iste qui eum. Nulla illum quod velit qui ut iste. At non est soluta voluptatem est qui. Fuga neque hic quas aut laudantium. Mollitia consequatur autem pariatur.

Et sit ipsam fugit voluptatum. Molestiae ut maiores beatae voluptates voluptatum quo ut. Quos voluptatem quae eligendi mollitia. Non sit sint distinctio porro rerum quis est.

Maiores a perspiciatis odio nulla. Et quos explicabo natus delectus voluptatibus. Qui neque facilis aut voluptatibus. Dolorem quod repellendus ullam sit officiis. Perferendis mollitia eveniet qui ut consequatur facere assumenda accusantium. Ut quo sit at quasi deserunt reiciendis illum. Debitis voluptas sit odio dolorem.

Blanditiis ut dolore molestias doloribus. Sit dolorum quo incidunt. Recusandae aperiam ab quo molestiae. Modi amet asperiores odio sed veritatis dolorem soluta.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • 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
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...”