Hours in IB

Im considering a career in IB, and I understand that it involves long hours. I am willing to work them, but I want to have a realistic understanding of the workload and be prepared for it once I enter. I've heard about investment bankers working 100+ hours per week and 20h days. On average, how many hours per week do investment bankers really work? I understand that hours may depend on different factors, but I'd like to have a general idea. 
What has been the maximum number of hours you have had to work in a day? Do you work every weekend or is it more circunstancial? 

What I don't understand is how do you function at all working that many hours, sleeping so little, and not seeing friends and family. I would think it is very inefficient due to the lack of energy.

19 Comments
 

Cannot recall the last relaxing weekend i’ve had since college years…

 

Asking just to know about your experience. Why do you stay in IB given that you haven't had a relaxed life since starting? Do you like it? Is it worth it?

simioamistoso
 

@macaco

Asking just to know about your experience. Why do you stay in IB given that you haven't had a relaxed life since starting? Do you like it? Is it worth it?

$

 

85 - 90 always. 100 every 2-3 weeks. 100+ every 4 weeks or so.

Is it painful? Yes.

How do I do it? There really is no explanation for how I do it, I just take it one day at a time when it's exceptionally brutal.

Why do I do it? I do it for the money.

Will I stay? I want to leave but can't because my skillset is too highly developed for something like PE, Corp Dev, Traditional Fi roles, whereas I want to be a PM at a Tech co.
 

 

Aren't you an analyst tho? According to your profile

You should be able to exit pretty easily, no?

 
Frybird101

Aren't you an analyst tho? According to your profile

You should be able to exit pretty easily, no?

Eh job market's rough right now for entry into tech. Product also requires a more nuanced mix of a CS and Business background. Definitely easier to do than a Sr. Aso or up, but all the successful paths to recruiting seem to be PE / Finance / Corp Dev / IR, not Product Management.

 

Ipsam accusamus corporis temporibus placeat delectus molestiae. Id temporibus similique deserunt voluptatem. Doloribus id perferendis ut sit reprehenderit autem non. Nesciunt illo autem explicabo quia.

Porro saepe placeat vitae mollitia. Amet libero ullam iure sit. Sapiente ad officia perspiciatis ipsa. Voluptatum porro distinctio quod magni vero est ea explicabo.

Accusamus aut quo sapiente sed occaecati qui. Qui odio doloremque et ut quisquam. Fuga et sed pariatur voluptate voluptas hic quis. Repellat voluptatem consequuntur ipsum voluptas ab. Aut quasi corrupti maiores aspernatur quaerat. Illum odit aut est quibusdam.

Est non atque quia placeat vero non. Iste omnis nihil mollitia aut nemo aliquam deserunt. Autem voluptatum earum nisi quam tenetur. Sunt ipsam nihil facere similique. Inventore aut nihil doloremque architecto.

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 (65) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”