Resignation timing

Hi all,

When lateraling you typically resign after signing the offer letter or after background clears? 

HR of the new bank wants me to resign now bc it might take 15 business days for background to clear.

I don’t think I have anything that will make the background check hard but don’t necessarily want to leave it to chance either…

13 Comments
 
Most Helpful

That's terrible guidance from HR at new bank. Best practice is to resign when any and all steps done, including background check completed, final offer letter received/signed.

I'd just say I want to make sure everything gets buttoned up before I resign. Let them know obviously there no issues, but things get delayed with references and processes, and that you want to avoid a situation where you're not in any seat for too long. Everyone would understand.

 

Agree. Keep in mind, too, that the two week notice is purely courtesy. Typically banks will allow you to stay for two weeks if you’re going to a non-competitor (e.g, to buy-side). However, if you’re going to another bank, they will have you leave same day. If they have you leave same day, but you intended to stay on for two weeks, they often pay you during those two weeks

 

I had to provide additional information so not sure when it cleared. But, it only took 3 business days to run everything (because they sent me a copy of the background check when they asked for additional info) and then I just provided my w2 and all was good. Also quit immediately because there was only 2.5 weeks between the day I resigned and my new start date. Was not about to do the quit in a Friday and start the new job on a Monday like some of my friends.

I got staffed on something brutal and said fuck it I’m going to the beach instead.

 

Qui fugit voluptatem corporis quo et. Est totam illum non est minus hic. Quaerat ut modi aperiam ea.

Facere voluptas porro quos voluptate et voluptas. Blanditiis non voluptatem minima. Dolorem repellendus molestias placeat debitis et necessitatibus repellat rerum. Voluptate sit quos porro libero doloremque. Voluptas consequatur impedit qui. Cum quae molestiae voluptates aut debitis eveniet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”