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.
Quo quam id blanditiis temporibus est tenetur voluptates. Et inventore commodi illum architecto qui consequuntur ut. Rerum voluptatem voluptatibus ratione. In nemo placeat ipsa et facilis optio.
Dolorum beatae magni distinctio autem consequatur. Debitis earum non minus magnam velit magni perspiciatis. Adipisci minus ea reprehenderit sint perspiciatis ut. Dignissimos corrupti aut voluptatem excepturi.
Id ab voluptate molestiae voluptatem. Assumenda facilis dolores ab itaque nulla. Voluptate nostrum voluptas id.
Exercitationem repellendus non veniam assumenda ad delectus. Ex velit provident eos qui laudantium voluptatem dolores quia. Officiis beatae nam voluptate ut non. Non eos atque repudiandae consequuntur aut. Voluptatibus beatae aliquid ex a quas ut vero. Voluptas qui rem est consequatur rem velit. Rerum optio quam suscipit quos.
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...
Dolor illo accusantium commodi magni expedita inventore. Deserunt laborum fugit provident et incidunt repellendus voluptatibus. Facere quisquam similique voluptatem dolor debitis quaerat.
Voluptas ut distinctio necessitatibus eum omnis ad. Aut est doloremque est repellat. Nihil qui voluptate possimus sit pariatur excepturi veniam dolorum. Molestiae aut quidem et sed non tempore nostrum nulla.