Is it okay to ask previous years bonus numbers when deciding between offers?

I am in the final stages of interviewing with two banks and there aren't enough data points for their bonus numbers in wso or glassdoor. 

Would it be okay to ask the HR once I get the offers, about an average range of bonus numbers paid out last year? Is it normal to ask that? Given that both the banks are pretty similar in terms of exit opps and work nature, comp could be a decision maker for me here. 

 

Look at the Arkensden report (sp?) and trawl through the general file on the drive to see if some enterprising analyst has already compiled the numbers (once found one from way back in our admin folder). Don’t ask HR

 

network with analysts at the firm. Best course of action. 50% chance HR will blow-up the offer if you ask (even though it's a completely appropriate question and important thing to know). 

 

Bonuses tend to be standardized across the street. I would absolutely not ask HR what bonus numbers paid out last year were. Please do not do this. Asking a target range is more acceptable, and they may or may not respond.

I would talk to Alumni from your University or ex-employees for intel. 

IMO, your just starting off your career. An extra 10-20K isn't going to move the needle in the long-run.

How will you ask both banks if you can only accept 1 offer?

 

Perfectly reasonable to ask HR about bonus target as someone else has already mentioned. Anytime I have interviewed, HR has almost always asked me bonus timing for the firm I was currently at as well as expressed bonus target for their firm.

Edit: However, whatever you do, do not mention why you want to know (i.e., you are trying to pick between two offers)

 

Rerum in perferendis facere nulla animi ut minima eos. Necessitatibus assumenda ad voluptates impedit qui. Deleniti nisi unde tempora rerum consequuntur voluptatem.

Eos dicta autem dolore nostrum. Aut debitis eum illo commodi reiciendis. Reprehenderit voluptatum sequi deserunt quidem cupiditate voluptas. Fuga non quos autem sapiente officiis. Rem voluptatem cupiditate nihil modi. Corporis consequatur ut optio et mollitia consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”