Highest Paying Investment Bank

Assuming a compete disregard for exit opps, which bank pays the most all-in (base + bonus)? Would it be Qatalyst given their profit-sharing model or do Centerview and PJT RSSG match that?

105 Comments
 

On a serious note. Centerview probably pays the most. Then it’s probably between Qatalyst, Evercore, Gugg and PJT.

 

Noticed that a ASO2 at Q posted 550k annual comp all-in. How would those banks listed (including CVP) compare?

 

Guggenheim. I know it's probably not the absolute highest (that's probably reserved for CVP), but after CVP it has to be them. One of my buddies from MBA works there and he pulled down ~$350K as a first-year (not stub-year) associate. That's mindboggling. I'm at a top MM that's known for paying pretty well above the market and fell significantly short of that number (as did the rest of my first-year associate start class). 

 

I’ll take a stab at this. I’m only a prospect but growing up in a lower middle class family has made me very focused on money and I’ve spent some time networking and researching the best paying firms.

Dyal Capital (200 something)

Liontree

Guggenhiem

Qatalyst

Pjt (M&A pays similar to Rx according to my friend)

Centerview (obviously)

Ducera (mixed bag alumni told me he cleared $197 in a good year out or college)

Greenhill 3 years ago so might be out dated (190k) school alumni told me

Now here’s a shock:

Good friend of mine made 175k out of college at BB&T Richmond. Considering this is in Richmond this has to be the highest living expense adjusted comp in finance.

 

Honestly, I'm just starting but from what I've heard bonuses are perfectly fine especially on the MIRA side. It just so happens that Analysts have part of their bonuses in bank equity so you have to go through a vesting period compared to most banks that pay all cash for analysts.

 

Industry boutiques easily top all EBs besides CVP when it comes to comp. Q, Raine, Ardea, and a few other shops that fly way under the radar pay the most. All of these shops easily surpass 200k A1.

 

All 3 of the above pay CVP level or better. For reference, Raine’s A1 comp back in 2018 was 200k. Additionally, know of at least 3 others that are rather secretive but all pay similarly or better than CVP. 

 

This was correct back in 2015 but not true anymore. There is one shop in Houston that easily surpasses all other banks. 

 

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