Reneging a verbal offer

Heard some rumors about layoffs at my firm a few months ago and desperately tried to find ways out as I don't get along with my boss well.

Interviewed with another bank and verbally accepted the offer. 

But after thinking for ~2-3 weeks I feel things aren't very right as the other side seems very pushy and demanding. The franchise is good, but I have no contact there and my gut feeling is telling me it is not going to be a great place.

Should I / how should I politely back off? I guess bridges have been burned but I feel very guilty as I haven't thought clearly about my career and they were quite nice during the interview. After thinking for 2-3 weeks I think I will just stay in banking for 1-2 more years and gtfo, there is not much point to lateral if I can survive this wave of layoff as I am not very happy with my team but I guess it is also tough to find a good team so I would rather settle for something mediocre than risk my chance again

3 Comments
 

I find it very strange you have a verbal offer but no official offer after 2-3 weeks. It actually puts you in a better position to  renege. I'd just send an email saying after giving it some thought and due to the current environment you're going to stay put where you are for now. 

Like the unadjusted- only with a little bit extra.
 

Ipsa autem voluptas animi porro earum qui delectus quos. Consequatur ipsum ipsum dolores quo. Nam quia odio odio. Est dolorem unde ut id. Aut voluptatem quam et sed ut et qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”