Incoming analyst at UBS - am I cooked?
Since the internship in 2024, have things really gotten materially worse? Why is there so much negativity about UBS? Should I be worried about getting laid off as a new joiner?
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +310 | 6-7 Brain Rot in IB Internship, Am I cooked? | 37 | 7h |
| +181 | Article: US UBS plunges in league Tables, fraction of its former size | 30 | 43m |
| +150 | Parents worth $250mm+; what would you do? | 57 | 53m |
| +53 | Lateraled into a bad culture - how long before looking around again? | 22 | 1d |
| +48 | Clash royale at the desk | 18 | 4h |
| +46 | Prestige is Paradise | 10 | 11h |
| +44 | DB Exits 2025? | 15 | 23h |
| +42 | The Next Goldman Sachs | 16 | 2h |
| +41 | Non-HYPSMW Target is Paradise | 10 | 12h |
| +39 | Is Guggenheim attaining EB status? | 16 | 5h |
Career Resources
I'm a first year analyst and I don't even think I'll stick around for my full 2 years... no point
This forum could use a serious dose of accountability. You chose the job, probably even ranked TMT, and now you’re ready to throw in the towel halfway through year one because it’s not what you expected? Even if you got bait-and-switched, welcome to the real world, bankers oversell (almost as if the banking job is selling), and it’s on you to pivot, not pout.
To be clear, I agree with a lot of the UBS complaints on this forum; the culture issues, comp compression, lack of senior engagement, the dramatic difference in experience based on group, all valid. But comments like this? They just come off entitled. You’re not the first analyst to realize banking isn’t a fairy tale, and you won’t be the last. That doesn’t make giving up early some profound insight; just do what everyone else did, which is find a new job.
If it’s that bad, take some responsibility and move; switch groups, network out, or laterally to another firm. But spare incoming analysts the dramatic nihilism. Thousands of people’d give up sleep, weekends, and their sanity just to be where you are, and most of them wouldn’t be whining about it on WSO while still cashing a check that is top 1% of your age and grants you the opportunity to jobs that pay even more.
>”pivot, don’t pout”
>”if it’s that bad, switch groups”
What do you think he meant by “I don’t think I’ll stay the full two years?”
I had a Tech MD who would say we pay you well so we can treat you like shit. This sounds a lot like his messed up mentality
congrats on UBS!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Negativity Around UBS: The negativity stems from several factors:
Job Security for New Joiners:
Advice for You:
While the situation is uncertain, not all is doom and gloom. UBS's deal flow may improve post-merger, and the bank's focus on US advisory could create opportunities. Keep your head up, stay proactive, and be ready to adapt!
Sources: UBS layoffs, CS Incoming Analyst global Zoom session, CS(-UBS) SA rant, UBS to Cut Up to 36,000 jobs from Newly Combined Firm, Job Security for Incoming IBD Analysts in London
Bump
Since the internship in 2024, have things really gotten materially worse?
-Yes
Why is there so much Negativity about UBS?
-Read the threads, they describe the situation with great detail
Should I be worried About getting laid off as a new joiner?
Yes they have and will also give shit bonuses if they need to due to lack of fees.
Not cooked. You've done a hell of a lot better than some who didn't get offers at all or got them from much lower tier banks
Do your job, then around 9-12 months in try to lateral
Try to lateral. It’s a sinking boat.
First of all, congrats on getting an IB job in this job market! Goes without saying, but UBS is still a reputable enough brand, and it's still a top 5% outcome coming out of college, and there are probably thousands of people who'd love to trade spots with you.
With all that being said, saying UBS has underperformed to stated goals would be an understatement (though I don't agree it wasn't obvious last year; I think it was pretty obvious when none of the TMT MDs UBS bought earlier didn't bring in any flow). Furthermore, there have been many layoffs at the junior level across the bank in the past 2 years, a large chunk of whom had been bottom bucket performers, but some of whom have just been people at the wrong place at the wrong time. Will note that this, btw, other banks like BoFA have also fired non-bottom bucket juniors recently, IB is just firing juniors more than usual recently. However, if you strive to be a top bucket performer, you should be mostly fine.
I think fundamentally UBS experiences can be grouped into two very separate ones: the acceptable for BB groups (basically LevFin/Sponsors/Industrials) and the rest (everyone else in terms of traditional coverage and product groups; can argue that certain niches like beverages CR for example don't fit here but for the sake of broad coverage let's just say the top 3). In the top 3 groups, you will get deal experience and, to some extent, are protected from lay-offs since your team has deal flow (Ik GIG had some lay-offs in the past 2 years, but it was entirely a merger and performance-based, not because the group is bad). The other groups are struggling for flow, and the leaders are running out of time to deliver. Many, including myself, expect rebulids of those teams, and naturally, when seniors get fired, there is an expectation junior firings follow since there is less need for them.
TLDR: look to lateral if in non-good group, should be fine if in a good group, but maybe look to lateral still if don't like group/people/etc.
People with 6 figure paying jobs saying they are cooked. Perspective is so funny
People making 500k-1mm abusing people making 100k
Dolorem tempore molestias dolores velit inventore perferendis. Quos delectus voluptatibus iste amet quia. Sit id dolorum maiores et eum aut accusantium officia.
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...