Hey all - I will try to be brief.
I’m a 2nd year Asso at a relatively low-tier bank in the M&A group. Honestly my experience has been lackluster but I’ve got some deals I can speak to, especially if I study. I have recently developed some health issues and am at a crossroads. I need better wlb but I don’t want to sacrifice TOO much pay. My exit opp considerations are Corporate Banking, Corporate Development/Strategy or some off-the-beaten-path role (I.e. start-up or IR, consulting etc). I’m really very open to a significant # of roles.
Does anyone have thoughts regarding the state of corporate banking vs corp dev in 2025? (I know there are other threads but none really comparing these two options specifically). My main concern is hours. Thank you in advance, gents!
Just spam apply and see what you get. I left IB after 1.5 years with nothing lined up, and signed a highly acquisitive PE backed non-tech decacorn, made $310k all in last year (~60 hours were norm). My comp went from $170k all in to $310k all in in 1 year, and hours were reduced by ~30. Got insanely lucky. Happy to answer follow ups or provide any advice.
Have looked into PE-backed roles on the CD side before.. definitely interesting, but when I see 10+ acquisitions in 1 year I find it impossible to rationalize how the hours could be lower than 70-ish on a normal week. Any thoughts here? Is there more work shoveled onto the banker/other advisors plate than I’m thinking - or is 10+ acquisitions and a small deal team a red flag? Thanks so much.
My worse weeks have been 85-90 (have only had 2 weeks out of entire year with these hours) and my lightest weeks have been 15-20.
I think yes you are right, the M&A front from the side of the corporate is a bit lighter. Bankers do a decent share of the work and also the PE team aswell pretty surprisingly. I mostly just supplied information and data where it was necessary. I understand I got super lucky.
.
Interesting - makes a lot of sense though, I’m sure PE involvement levels impact workloads quite a bit depending on how active they are in the portco doing the roll-ups.
A few final questions (if you have the time) and thanks so much for your replies so far. Feel free to PM if easier.
1) were you able to negotiate any equity incentives at your level?
2) are the hours mostly concentrated from M-F or do you still get a lot of ad hoc weekend work?
3) how’s your experience/personal development been compared to banking?
Thanks again!
Happy to help you out!
Keep firing away, happy to keep going!
What is the title for roles like this? Corp dev? Strat Finance?
Strat finance
Earum nisi ea dolorem eligendi. Veritatis recusandae dolorem qui consequatur qui debitis quibusdam. Earum ullam temporibus consequuntur doloribus expedita. Numquam voluptas tenetur velit alias. At quisquam qui aspernatur.
Omnis quisquam et consectetur totam vel laborum. Ex rerum incidunt beatae maxime deserunt animi distinctio. Dignissimos enim consequatur et distinctio occaecati cumque. Quo modi consequuntur voluptas voluptatem dolorem. Tempore soluta corrupti aspernatur.
Distinctio velit accusantium dolores laboriosam qui dolorem. Repudiandae corporis impedit vel aut voluptatum fugit quia vel. Dicta saepe est et officia nam nulla rerum. Repellendus nam et error culpa. Quo omnis aut tempore nemo qui rem.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...