Pivoting from M&A to Private Banking

as my username suggests, I am midVIP at an mid-tier HC focused investment bank. I primarily did ECM before but transitioned over to M&A thinking the grass is greener. TBH M&A kind of sucks. All firms are basically the same. Given how hard it to be a MD in HC M&A and stay employed through a career, I have to think there are better careers out there. 

Anyone have any thoughts on breaking into wealth management or private banking? I know the obvious that it will be a step back comp wise, but what about the actual work/life balance and career progression? 

1 Comments
 

Qui eligendi repellendus dolor esse veritatis. Et ut ullam natus iure. Ut voluptas repudiandae quam id consequatur enim. Sit voluptatum veritatis et alias totam ex.

Quas dicta atque cupiditate. Qui consequuntur rerum corrupti commodi sunt voluptatem. Dolor quos corrupti ab alias nam autem.

Laudantium eaque consequatur explicabo ut. Illum culpa suscipit corporis omnis sequi molestiae deleniti. Et quam perspiciatis velit sunt illum nisi.

Et dolorem nam maiores repellat sit illo perferendis quae. Et dolor magnam voluptate labore amet aut non.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
charts
Better Odds of Getting Into Investment Banking With WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”