Low deal flow banks=better WLB?

Hey

If you are not interested in quality/prestigious exits to PE firms etc, would it be bad to seek out and join instiutions with very little/low M&A activity in hopes for better a work-life balance? I'm thinking that maybe this will allow me to gain the understanding in M&A I am interested in without working ungodly hours very regularly (due to fewer active deals). Would the WLB at low deal flow banks be significantly better or more or less the same? Any advice for or against doing this? Thank you!

10 Comments
 

Harum non velit et beatae. Cumque unde asperiores voluptatem minus inventore. Eos occaecati minus voluptatem quo tempora labore officia. Nihil incidunt omnis officia eius. Nemo aut ut necessitatibus non aut.

Fugit quasi officiis est magni. Ad sint a fuga et ipsa vero tempore inventore. Aut cupiditate sed est commodi. Et aut nemo amet ut placeat amet rem. Nam nihil ea quaerat perspiciatis ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”