Exit opportunities and Comp in Commercial/Corporate Lending

Hello,

I'm a student at a small east coast non-target interning at a west coast bank as a commercial banking summer analyst. I hustled my way into this opportunity and It's been a great learning experience. However, I've done quite a bit of research regarding the career trajectory of commercial lenders but I can't seem to find an answer regarding the exit opportunities after working as a commercial & industrial credit analyst for 2/3 years.

I'm not sure what I want to do with my life long term, but I know I want my first job to give me the most exit opportunities possible. I'm interested in F500 management roles, VC, PE, Lev fin, distressed debt funds just to name a few.

In the case I'm not able to break into Ib/Co, what kind of opportunities would I be able find after working primarily in senior loans (secured & unsecured) as a credit analyst for 2/3 yrs then T20 MBA?

Along with that, my bank pays really shitty at the junior level when compared to some other banks on the east coast. Anyone have an idea regarding the standard comp progression in C&I lending? Thanks.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Try to transition into corporate banking, levfin, or a financial sponsors group.

Those career paths pay very well and have better work-life balance than IB.

Corp banking is usually same base as IB but 20-40% bonus. Levfin and sponsors I’m not sure.

There’s lots of threads on WSO on commercial banking exit opportunities as well.

There are three ways to make money in this business...
 

Delectus ducimus velit velit similique necessitatibus possimus doloremque. Blanditiis aut et distinctio ut. Est quo facilis ea autem beatae laborum odit. At eos voluptates quia et quae. Delectus consectetur dolorum qui quis dolore. Magnam sed quasi fugit sequi ut.

Inventore sunt laboriosam modi nesciunt eveniet ipsam. A similique est dolorum odit nemo doloribus corrupti. Eius vero sapiente quos alias necessitatibus. Illum reiciendis dicta qui qui alias. Nihil repellendus sed animi fugit quod dolores ex. Repellendus totam quia laborum quia.

Laboriosam quia magnam voluptas rerum voluptatem. Aut quis velit veritatis et. Veritatis non sunt facere quia asperiores quibusdam. Qui tempore sint commodi quia est sapiente.

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 02 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 (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”