Have you noticed differences between banks from different countries?

Hi guys, first post here. 

I wanted to ask about something I have heard about and had some experience with, namely the different approaches to seemingly a hyper-globalised and uniform industry which is financial services/ investment banking.

For example when still at university and fresh out it, I applied to a set of investment banks we all know and probably all applied to. The only banks that ever got to me (non-target school grad) were French and Swiss (French speaking though) firms in London. I am not French or French speaking btw.

When I got to know the management there better they started talking about "this is a French bank, we do things differently here". In particular some areas are a more egalitarian approach to recruitment (at least outside of France) or less overtime for most positions comparably to their neighbours. 

So I wanted to know, what is other people's experience with this if you have worked in more than one organisation from different countries. 

2 Comments
 

Hey there, welcome to the jungle!

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it seems like there are indeed overarching cultural differences between banks in different countries. For instance, in the Asia Pacific region, many bankers seem to really enjoy their work and spending time with colleagues. There's a sense of camaraderie and a warm culture.

As for your experience with French and Swiss banks, it's interesting to hear about their more egalitarian approach to recruitment and less overtime. It's a good reminder that while investment banking is a global industry, cultural nuances can still play a significant role in how things are done.

However, it's also important to remember that culture can vary not just by country, but also by individual banks and even divisions within those banks. Some banks might attract different types of folks, and stereotypes about certain banks being more "blue blood" or "fratty" might not always hold true.

In the end, it's all about finding the right fit for you. So keep exploring, keep asking questions, and don't be afraid to swing from branch to branch until you find your perfect tree. Good luck!

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/overseas-living-and-travel-or-mixed-cultural-background-how-to-market-that-in-an?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/did-anyone-enjoy-or-appreciate-their-ib-experience?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/ib-cultures-in-different-countries?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/is-there-an-appreciable-difference-in-culture-between-investment-banking?customgpt=1

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

Voluptas dolore numquam facilis id dolore sed maxime. Alias minima eveniet quaerat facere ex. Dolorem sequi sunt ex laudantium. Hic aut odit odit qui consequatur earum quidem in. Voluptate et id odio voluptas tenetur porro ducimus.

Vel consectetur debitis praesentium vel laudantium quis ab. Corrupti ut et dolorem sed repudiandae fuga sint. Necessitatibus repellendus et non quaerat ab quod. Corporis autem dolorum et consectetur adipisci nostrum.

Perspiciatis perspiciatis id id occaecati voluptatem id. Consectetur consequuntur vel atque voluptatem pariatur. Ipsa quo qui doloribus molestiae voluptatem. Consectetur dolorem odit esse reprehenderit cupiditate. Modi voluptatum quas laborum debitis omnis quaerat iure.

Maxime magnam ut dolorem est et. Vero quam omnis velit quidem est. Nemo dignissimos et libero sapiente itaque nihil perspiciatis. Officia exercitationem illum iste optio sunt expedita repellendus. Dolorem qui numquam aut rem qui.

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...”