Quitting Banking 6 months in- what to say

Hey all! At a BB right now and quitting tomorrow. I don’t have a job lined up but I can’t stand being in the industry- I’m fine with the uncertainty for now. Anyone done this before and know how these conversations usually go or what to say. I don’t want to have this be a big deal, and I’m 100% sure I don’t ever want to come back to this industry.

34 Comments
 

I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I don’t have to worry about money too much, so we probably have the clawback but I honestly don’t care. I know that this isn’t a career for me

 

Try to move after getting to a2. When I was six months in, I also wanted to quit but didn’t, and then realized the job gets much easier as you get better with more repetition, and your responsibilities become less tedious as you move up to a2, although there is still some tedious work. Your opportunities to lateral or switch industries improve after a full year as well.

 

Lot of unhelpful comments here, so I’ll try to give you a real one. Depends on the bank, but for the most part I doubt they’d care all that much about a first year analyst quitting. I’d keep it brief and to the point — “I’m leaving bb, [mmyy] will be my last day.” They’ll likely ask if you have something else lined up and that’s not something you have to answer regardless of if you do or don’t. If you want I’d just say “I’ve appreciated the opportunity, but this isn’t for me,” though idk how much they’d believe you anyways (a lot of analysts won’t disclose where they’re going). Sounds like you want to leave on good terms, so you can give them the courtesy 2 weeks. Besides that, there isn’t much to stress, it’ll be fine.

 
Most Helpful

Real shame to see the bitterness and sour taste of those in the replies. You've come to a realisation that 95% of IB come to, it normally takes them 3 - 5 years to drop the ego and quit, you've done it in 6 months - congrats. 

Position it honestly but with candor and rationale, demonstrate you've thought it through. If you're moving industries explain that you want better WLB / a life outside of work. If you're going solo and have the ability to make money online (like a lot of our generation) explain that you believe times have changed and you don't need to bust a nut to make good money in 2023. Above all else, be respectful and thank them for the opportunity, you never know when you might cross paths again.

 

Appreciate it - Yeah I don't really understand the bitterness. I feel like everyone in WSO has this huge sour attitude against people who don't like banking, simply because "thousands of people would kill for the job." While that may be true, I don't see why I have to stick it out and do something I really dislike and is impacting my day to day physical and mental health when I don't have to. 

Anyways - I appreciate the helpful response! 

 

I don’t think your bank would mind given how many banks have been making cuts lately. We only have one life, you might as well enjoy what you do. There are definitely other jobs that are closer to the life end of the work-life balance equation. My parents spent decades in government work making okay money for very chill hours. There’s a range. Best of luck man.

 

Architecto facilis sint numquam dolores minima totam. Mollitia quae ea omnis ad nesciunt pariatur quia officiis. Voluptatibus optio repudiandae alias ea. Amet tempore quia explicabo tempora inventore. Nihil blanditiis hic error occaecati voluptatem.

Veritatis eaque dignissimos id atque eos velit. Similique dolorem aliquam dolores commodi rerum repudiandae officia. Ipsum dolorum minus in dignissimos doloremque autem. Veritatis aperiam ab excepturi dolorem suscipit recusandae facere.

Aut et rerum dolor voluptatibus. Quasi fuga libero iure aut. Asperiores nihil enim impedit ut. Placeat earum accusamus sit. Et voluptas quis quia a eius qui.

Omnis dolorem quidem vitae nesciunt nostrum sed ut. Earum voluptatem corporis omnis natus. Et consequatur illo culpa non veritatis recusandae quisquam. Fugiat soluta harum qui veritatis quo.

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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”