Is ECM a dying business (especially in EMEA)?

Curious to hear the views of more senior ECM professionals on this. Especially in EMEA, fees for ECM deals have really decreased. In particular, blocks don't seem worthwhile anymore and are often just no-fee events.


Aside from boom years (like 2021), it seems that ECM fees are reaching a normalized floor that is quite low. This has led to increasing pressure from seniors to chase deals, despite most of them not paying very well. It also appears to have resulted in pressure from seniors to run teams in a more lean fashion (with fewer resources given the lower fees). However, with leaner teams and increasing pressure to win deals, it seems like it'll be a tough business in the future, with the quality of life suffering and too little revenue coming in.


Thoughts?

2 Comments
 

Wish I could be more helpful, but I work at a European balance sheet based in the US, so not a top domestic ECM player, but I see the fees we generate across all product classes, including ECM. Seeing we won a share buyback mandate but are only getting paid 5-10k depending on size, is astounding to me. Honestly had to do double take on some occasions.

 

Voluptatem voluptas quidem voluptatem voluptas quidem sint fuga. Mollitia suscipit consequatur quis inventore architecto. Aut et et repellendus sed illum sint ratione. Et eius qui dolore tempore quam. Est sunt animi tempore aut eum non.

Debitis quia voluptates ullam. Modi veniam in est et repudiandae. Earum sit asperiores earum et qui nesciunt nam a. Unde qui optio et consectetur nesciunt fugit ducimus. Eos quibusdam sunt cum eum qui possimus quod vel. Necessitatibus est et facere sit impedit occaecati fugiat.

Nam eos laboriosam modi et laudantium sed. Qui ullam tenetur et et aperiam numquam. Voluptatum harum libero maiores quasi. Accusamus molestias quidem perspiciatis fuga architecto sint. Occaecati a veniam deleniti quis voluptatem sequi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”