It's clear that working at a boutique is better than working in back office for a chance to move to BB IBD.
But if I had the opportunity to work in a non-IBD front office division such as AM/ER/S&T/PWM, what are my chances of moving to IBD within a year or two? Would I still be better off working at a boutique (non-elite) doing actual IBD work?
Thanks!!
| +186 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 46 | 1h |
| +83 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 57 | 2h |
| +76 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 13 | 13h |
| +51 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 14 | 1h |
| +36 | Quick Thoughts on CVC AI Sale Process | 7 | 3d |
| +33 | Feedback for internship first desk at IBD BB - personal fit, "don't be too confident" | 23 | 1d |
| +28 | Does BofA still pay its associates rat pellets? | 14 | 4h |
| +18 | What happened to Greenhill | 8 | 3d |
| +18 | Updated JPM Group Rankings | 30 | 5h |
| +18 | VP Deal Origination Credit | 2 | 12h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Depends. PWM/AM to IBD probably a lot harder than S&T or ER to IBD. ER to IBD is a double edged sword because while you interact with your bankers often on deals and know all the senior guys, you do so in a restricted capacity with compliance/legal chaperons present (makes it tougher to network within the bank and probably have to look outside).
Also, if you're doing AM/ER/S&T at a respectable firm, making similar to slightly less entry level IBD salaries, why do you want banking so much and the lifestyle (or lack of) that comes with it?
Thanks Flake for your comment, SB'd. That's a good question. The reason is because, depending on who's hiring at the moment, I may be able to get in a FO office other than IBD at the moment. However, based on everything I've read, I truly think the work in IBD interests me the most (I'm more interested in deal work than the markets).
Anyone else have any input, including on AM->IBD and boutique vs non-IBD FO? Got SBs to give out!
Autem nulla non voluptas facilis. Id eos ab unde quia omnis sunt ut. Aut ab qui quidem at. Sunt ducimus debitis nihil expedita. Id consequatur dolores rerum inventore.
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...