People on this site talk up the lateral from B4 valuation to investment banking as very doable but I go on LinkedIn and Pre-MBA lateral seems to be very few and far between. I understand the lateral market as of the last few years has been dead and could explain the recent lack of data points but geniunely I'm curious as I hope to make the same jump myself. Do people just not take the jump? How MM are we talking (Baird/HL/Jeff/WF-type or like no name LMM) Should I continue recruiting for IB after accepting a valuation FT or should I hold off until post-FT to lateral? For reference I I'm a non-target 3.8GPA, have previous IB SA experience (group wasn't giving out ROs) and LMM credit experience, so idk if this helps my profile or not.
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
Career Resources
Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from valuation to investment banking is indeed possible and has been successfully done by many, but it requires strategic planning and effort. Here are some key insights:
Doability of the Jump:
Target MM Firms:
Timing of the Lateral:
Challenges in the Current Market:
Networking and Strategy:
For more detailed insights, you can explore this WSO thread: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/qa-non-target-…</a">Q&A - Non-Target >> Valuation >> MM IB. It provides firsthand accounts of individuals who made the jump from valuation to MM IB.
Sources: Lateraling Guide for Investment Banking, Q&A - Non-Target >> Valuation >> MM IB, Q&A - Non-Target >> Valuation >> MM IB, A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking, Big4 Valuation to IB
Yes, it is achievable. I and many others did it. Would look at the threads that the AI summarized as a good place to start.
That said, this pivot was substantially easier in the M&A market of 2021 / 2022 when banks were severely capacity constrained, needed lateral talent who could ramp quickly, and bankers weren’t being fired under any circumstance.
In current environment where you are competing against a significant # of laid off bankers, it will certainly be tougher, but not impossible.
Build relationships with MM teams and be very clear about: Your desire to make the transition, what you think you can bring to the team that is differentiated vs. a laid off banker (impeccable modeling skills, technical valuation knowledge, legal doc / investment structure understanding, buy-side perspectives, exposure to more sophisticated clients than typical MM banking), and disclose areas where you know you need to get up the curve quickly like deal process mechanics.
It probably makes sense to have a year of valuation experience before making these calls. Or if you want to recruit before you start in vals, obviously wouldn’t lean on any valuation skills as you don’t have them yet. The latter path seems like it will be harder if you struck out on traditional banking recruiting already.
Aut eaque in sed laboriosam sit sit minima. Ipsam dignissimos quia ipsa nostrum et ipsam sunt et. Non nam sunt voluptatem mollitia possimus hic. Omnis excepturi quos rerum consequuntur illum consequatur autem dolorem. Mollitia odio sequi quasi quas praesentium eius. Autem quam praesentium aliquid dolorem. Architecto iusto ipsum voluptatem fugit.
Deserunt nesciunt qui modi quam voluptatum eius dolor. Inventore aut quidem quo nulla. Qui eveniet molestiae exercitationem.
Illo ipsum dolorum fugit error magni eos voluptatum ea. Et nemo eos adipisci ut qui ipsam a id. Dolorum provident temporibus expedita veritatis. Occaecati esse sit voluptatum unde aut illo rerum. Nostrum rerum ab eum dolores asperiores. Nisi error unde et et velit a. Perferendis laboriosam placeat qui corporis voluptate qui ex vel.
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...
Vero voluptatem modi quo consequatur dolor. Molestias consequatur recusandae sapiente nihil nulla nam. Repudiandae voluptatem laboriosam debitis iusto est.
Ut assumenda error earum sit velit itaque sit. Et corporis ut corrupti sed libero nulla placeat. Optio omnis est unde deserunt molestias enim vel. Sed dolorem totam harum est tempore et vel. Dignissimos sit ut saepe repellendus accusantium doloremque amet omnis. Voluptatem sunt sed velit inventore vel veniam quisquam aut.