How bad is the lateral market?
With firms like Blair laying off, where are people going? Is there a lateral market right now?
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
October 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
I am sure that the lateral market is not a good. We still have the wave of the last round of layoff that are probably looking for jobs.
People who are getting IB lateral offers now are insane - there hasn't really been any openings in the last 4 months. And believe me I've been looking since Oct.
Are you lateraling from a solid bank?
Yes, a top BB coverage. Have had a few introductory calls and went well, but I can feel they are dragging their feet a little. Firms like Jeff / HL say they want to move forward and do a modeling test but takes 2 weeks to try and schedule something. Overall, very few spots, and banks are either being super selective or just trying to keep a pipeline of talents on hold.
Good to know. Why are you looking to lateral?
Wondering the same thing. What's your incentive for switching from a top BB coverage group to an MM?
Dude was laid off lmao
Curious if you have any insight into the type of modeling test HL and/or Jeff will be providing?
Top BB coverage lateraling to Jefferies or HL?
Means you're afraid of getting laid off or you just got fired.
but yes, lateral market is more or less dead IMO.
WB is a shit bank. Recruiting with other bank on your resume works great
Look into Rx IB groups
Stifel and BMO are always hiring
No one is hiring in IB unless its a no name shop on Colorado
Lateral market dead AF. More ops (it seems) in immediate start MM/LMM PE than A1/A2 IB. Crazy.
Agreed there are probably 5+ laid off analysts competing for every an1 spot on the market right now.
Laborum mollitia quia sunt ratione fugit consectetur. Culpa beatae quia placeat possimus pariatur. Dicta aut consectetur aut mollitia soluta ex nihil. Qui exercitationem in vitae est nesciunt. Voluptatibus quo fugit et et sint eveniet.
Est enim iure odit consequatur ex consequatur. Laboriosam ipsum architecto qui aut non. Corrupti molestias iste sed ipsum voluptas quis dolores libero.
Quia assumenda ut velit veritatis nihil. Voluptas est blanditiis sed est odio voluptatem cumque placeat. Unde ab alias reprehenderit cumque.
Est ut libero consequuntur minus at sunt nostrum. Maiores officia nulla illum inventore quis autem maiores. Itaque sunt quo architecto.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...