How much writing is required from IB analysts?

Tons.

Analysts are typically responsible for the bulk of committee memos, confidential info memos, and just about anything else. Associates are responsible for the same; how it gets divvied up just depends on people's availability.

As far as reading...well, you read a lot too. Everything from company filings, to news, to industry reports, to research...the list is endless.

So if you can't read and write proper English (despite what you may have heard), this job will be exceedingly difficult. Quant/verbal skills are probably equally important.

TireKicker is exactly right - in fact, I'd take it one step further. Granted, the queston was specific to analysts, but if you look out over the career, writing/reading becomes even more important. Every level you move up, your ability to work with Excel and Powerpoint is less important, and qualitative skills are more important. For that reason, people who want to be in banking should think very carefully about whether a move from engineering or some other heavily quant career, is the way to go.

i'd say 50/50 anlysis/research and writing

I'd better brush up my writing skills then.

Agree with above posts. Analysts write a lot of internal committee memors, client letters etc.

THat must mean, you guys hate WORD and EXCEL. I'm guessing those are the last 2 softwares you want to open on your peronsal Home PC.