Lateral move impact on long term career optionality

I was born outside the US, but went to school here. I still speak the language well and am culturally "on the fence", mostly because of my parents. Currently at an LMM no name shop in a small metro doing deals $20-100M. Have the next options:

A couple of upper MM / Foreign bank M&A opps in NY / CHI / LA / SF

OR

A BB oppo back in my country of birth (think RU / PL / UA / RO / TR)

Ignoring compensation (looks to be much better in both cases), and the lifestyle/quality of life in location questions, which of those entails the better optionality for me for the long-term?

E.g.

Will it be possible to move to a VP for Credit Suisse in NY from a VP for Credit Suisse in Amsterdam?

Will it be possible to move to a VP for Citi in Istanbul from a VP for HSBC in NY?

2 Comments
 

Nihil et dolores corporis fugiat est provident. Tenetur blanditiis magnam sed porro est aperiam sapiente. In sunt omnis aut exercitationem est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • 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 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”