Salary and company phone/laptop negotiations

Hey everyone!

I am currently full time interning at a middle market bank. Have been for about 3 months. My boss approached me saying in the next week or so we negotiate opportunity as a full time Associate. I am the only associate for the bank in this country. Other associates are in other countries so I am not sure what to expect going into negotiations. Was hoping i could get some advise on my thoughts and approach:

I have glass doors Investment banking associate average across the US (roughly 125k). As having no prior experience i am hoping to use that to negotiate to at least 80-90k base salary.

I also want to ask for company laptop and company phone. I feel like I shouldn't have to work on my personal computer and phone. I could sound greedy but I don't think i should have to make company calls on a phone i pay for.

Does this sound reasonable? Has anyone had luck negotiating for these, or have any good strong points to advocate for them?

4 Comments
 
Best Response

1) Continue to research salary comparisons as best you can. What do US associates at middle-market banks typically earn? What do other non-US associates make at your company? What do associates at other companies make in your country? Knowledge is power.

2) To whatever extent possible, have him say the first number.

3) Have a number in mind higher than you expect to get, but somehow supportable with comparable data. Once you have the initial offer, you can at least make an attempt to negotiate anything less than your high number. "I did quite a bit of research and I know that associates in the US typically make $125k. I understand that there's a cost of living adjustment for our area, and that makes sense. Still, I was hoping to be a little bit closer to that average than what you've offered. Is there any way we can meet in the middle?" The more data you get in step one, the more effective this may be.

4) Remember that you probably don't have a ton of leverage. Without knowing the specifics of how your country recruits, I imagine you're not in position to immediately line up a bunch of interviews and jump ship to a different full-time position any time soon. If you get a below-market offer, you're probably better off accepting and looking to lateral after ~1 year. Your boss probably knows this better than you do.

5) Keep the phone/laptop in perspective. Is it really better than an extra 1 or 2% salary? Don't waste your goodwill on that. The time to ask for those things is once your boss won't go up any further in salary. "Ok. I understand that's as much salary you're willing to offer and it's less than what I hoped for. Is there an opportunity to set me up with a company laptop or phone?"

 
"thebear" I also want to ask for company laptop and company phone. I feel like I shouldn't have to work on my personal computer and phone. I could sound greedy but I don't think i should have to make company calls on a phone i pay for.

The idea that the Company wouldn't supply you these is crazy to me. You may have to buy your phone, but the IB would pay for your monthly bill.

Having confidential information on these devices, as you will, it seems like a terrible risk for the firm not to supply you with these devices or have access to erase/control/eliminate certain things. If they have that type of control, they should be paying. I don't think it is unreasonable in the least.

 

Culpa eos exercitationem cum ratione et. Libero non earum neque blanditiis. Unde et ut et suscipit natus cupiditate. Commodi quisquam id aperiam totam.

Natus assumenda cum maxime dolorem placeat pariatur est et. Est est velit aut eligendi. Consectetur aliquam neque maxime. Cum aut earum est suscipit.

Dolore sed repellat modi voluptatem mollitia rerum. Quisquam odit optio eius ut omnis animi. Facere rerum omnis ea dicta quis accusantium fugit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”