Fastest promote from an1 to aso? Front office CB an1 promotion potential?

What is the groups thoughts on how long it’d take to make it to associate? Started about a month ago as an An1 at a bb, In a unique market facing role on a team where I’m being trained as a replacement to a senior aso. Soon it’ll practically just be me and a director. I was given some advice from my mentor to use what will likely be a strong position to bargain from to maximize my medium term position as I grow the next couple years. So, what do you think? Is an1 to aso1 in 18 months? Possible? What’s the quickest promote you’ve seen?

4 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, here are some insights regarding the promotion timeline from Analyst 1 (An1) to Associate (Aso):

  1. Fastest Promotion Timeline:

    • Some banks offer early promotions from Analyst to Associate after 2 years. Notable banks with confirmed 2-year A2A promotions include:
      • Goldman Sachs
      • Morgan Stanley
      • Credit Suisse
      • Lazard
      • BAML
      • RBC
      • Deutsche Bank
  2. Promotion Potential in Unique Roles:

    • If you are in a unique market-facing role and being trained to replace a senior associate, your promotion timeline might be accelerated. However, the standard timeline is typically around 2-3 years.
  3. Advice from Mentors:

    • Using a strong position to bargain for better terms as you grow is sound advice. Leverage your unique role and responsibilities to negotiate for faster promotions or better compensation.
  4. Quickest Promotion Seen:

    • While the standard is 2-3 years, exceptional circumstances and performance can lead to faster promotions. However, an 18-month promotion from An1 to Aso1 is quite aggressive and less common.
  5. General Thoughts:

    • Promotions can vary significantly based on the bank, team dynamics, and individual performance. It's essential to maintain strong performance and leverage your unique position to negotiate effectively.

For more detailed discussions and personal experiences, you might want to explore specific threads on Wall Street Oasis related to Analyst to Associate promotions.

Sources: Banks with 2 year A2A Promotions, Questions about Analyst to Associate promotions, Q&A: 15 years as IB ANL/ASO, HF ANL/PM, Start-up Corp Finance Executive, MBA vs direct promotion, Q&A: Disadvantaged Background to A2A Promote at Elite Boutique

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

18 months? You sound like a superstar, drop those estimations down to 11 months my guy ! You got this. Ask for promo next July or threaten to lateral to a boutique

 
Most Helpful

Your mentor doesn't seem to understand the promotion dynamics at a BB. The promotion cycle is 100% fixed and you will get it at 2 years. There are zero early promotions to ASO at BBs, it's just not part of their philosophy. Asking for it just reeks of not understanding the way things work at a big firm.

There is more flex around these timelines once you get to VP/Director, but you are not that valuable as an analyst. It's not at all uncommon to replace slightly senior people with junior folks, it's called cost control.

The value you get out of this is a lot of good experience and hopefully a decent bonus. Just sit back, learn a lot and be humble. This sounds like an awesome seat for you to be a top-bucket AN/ASO, but you need to be able to navigate the internal politics, and one of those is understanding how bank promotion timelines work. 

 

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