How to break into IB in the middle east(gulf)

Info about IB recruiting there is vague. I speak Arabic fluently. Are there any target schools in the region? Or do they mostly recruit from target european universities?

Thanks

7 Comments
 

Interested in this.

From what I know, American University of Beirut seems to place quite well within the region - big alumni network. Your typical target European schools should also position you well for recruitment.

 

Is it? I would imagine offices in the region take on less interns which could mean applications per position would pan out to be more or less the same, or is it that the type of applicants are usually weaker?

Curious as I am final year UK student from the region with experience working in a MM PE firm in London. Was contemplating whether or not applying to offices there given my experience and background would put me at an advantage.

 

But how does recruitment take place? Is applying online enough, or would you need to "network" like in the US?

 

Just apply online !!!

Bank of America : Standard Chartered : Barclays are the most active there when it comes to recruitment based on my observation for the last 2 years so give it a shot ! They often have vacancies for off cycle / interns Citi is so hard ! JP too, other boutiques or other names are probably best to reach by networking I’ve never had an interview with them I’ve interviewed with them !

 

A reiciendis beatae sit atque voluptas. Doloribus illum nulla voluptates ipsum qui fugit. Qui et magnam consectetur sunt sed aliquam ut. Suscipit est culpa non placeat velit cum molestiae.

Et aliquid voluptatem ut rerum. Et occaecati commodi rerum autem et et. Ullam soluta itaque animi sunt delectus ex accusamus.

Tempore id molestiae nemo totam deleniti placeat quis. Quia rerum aut minus ut dolor totam.

Consequuntur esse sit doloremque qui dignissimos quia magnam blanditiis. Nesciunt quod voluptas mollitia libero id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”