Is banking worth it without the salary?

…..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..……..….

11 Comments
 

Kinda a tricky one. You could be in IB, get good exposure or stay in the UK and hope to find something similar. What matters here is where you see yourself five or ten years down the road. If you want to be in Mexico, I would say do IB there. If you want to stay in the UK, why not find something similar and continue to work towards moving into IB later down the road?

Also, keep this in mind. It will be very hard to live with your parents unless they live next to your office. A commute on top of an 80/hr per week role is very challenging. So in that regard, I would not assume you would be living rent free. Counter to that, hopefully the cost of living is cheaper in Mexico than the UK.

If you’re bilingual and in UK with a business degree, why not look into working an FX desk?

 

This is really helpful context. If it’s already your goal to return to Mexico and you have a shot of making it to an IB shop, you’ve got everything right in front of you.

You mentioned a premium being placed on overseas work, but you at least have an overseas education which should help in that regard (hopefully). Likewise, if your family is close and well off, that’s the perfect stepping stone to building a name in the city you return to.

I recognize you want to spend more time in Europe, but a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. Assuming you’re of a normal college graduate age, now is the time to do IB, not when you’re 30 and finally found another open door. It’s a young man’s game.

Choice is up to you, that’s just my thought. Best of luck with whatever route you choose!

 

Et qui qui magnam consequatur. Tempore est molestiae ratione et. Reiciendis officiis inventore quia aliquid molestias. Ut porro provident ex nemo qui. Totam voluptas quisquam non vero.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”