Is Associate 0 common for A2A?

My bank has a 2-year analyst program with another year at Associate 0 (which is at 150,000 base). Then, you become a stub associate for 5 months (still at 150,000 base) before becoming an Associate 1 (at 175,000).

Curious to see how it’s for the other groups.

12 Comments
 

Extremely common. How are you an analyst and don’t know this?

 

Would it be a good idea to skip associate 0? I have the option to skip it but idk if that’ll stunt my development since I’ll be benchmarked as a stub / associate 1 since I will only have had 2 years as an analyst. I know it’ll be incremental dollars faster but I have seen others who have been fast-tracked stall as an associate in my group - it’s a lean group where associates are expected to model AND have a high amount of client interactions.

 

I'd skip it - you will be miles ahead of the MBA associates with 2 years in the group already

Not to say that there isn't a lot of professional development to be had still - but no reason to give yourself an extra year until VP which is still not a really senior role. Just get yourself some good mentors who are willing to help you develop on the client side.

 

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