London Top BB Associate Hours

Just wanted to get some feedback on hours for Associates. Especially at top BB teams (eg GS TMT). How much do you usually work in London?

I know people say 100 hrs but that doesn't seem realistic as an Associate and it feels like people just post their hours when they're getting killed. I don't see how people can actually work past 3am every single day over several years. Unless an exceptional firedrill, I think most people work on average 9-12 + a couple of hours on the weekend, so say 70-80hr weeks. Sometimes less (summer, December could be around 50-60hrs sometimes), sometimes more (before launch). Or am I wrong? 

4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, the hours for Associates at top BB teams in London, such as GS TMT, are generally demanding but not consistently at the extreme levels of 100+ hours per week. Here's a realistic breakdown:

  1. Typical Weekly Hours: Associates in London BBs often average around 70-80 hours per week, depending on deal flow and group dynamics. This aligns with your estimate.

  2. Daily Schedule:

    • Monday to Thursday: Commonly 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
    • Friday: Slightly shorter, around 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
    • Weekends: Typically, 5-10 hours spread across Saturday and Sunday, often remote and focused on reviewing work or addressing urgent tasks.
  3. Seasonal Variations:

    • During quieter periods like summer or December, hours can drop to 50-60 hours per week.
    • Intense periods, such as pre-launch or live deals, can push hours higher, but consistent 100+ hour weeks are rare and usually overstated.
  4. Protected Weekends: Some BBs have policies for protected Saturdays or weekends, which can help reduce burnout.

While the workload is intense, Associates often have better time management and less "face time" pressure compared to Analysts, which can make the hours feel more manageable.

Sources: Actual BB IB Associate post-MBA hours, Investment Banking Hours - What to Expect?, Realistic BB Working Hours, Investment Banking Hours - What to Expect?, MBB Analyst comp/hours ?

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