Should I change geography, bank, or sell side to buy side first?

Currently an incoming analyst at a lower-tier European bank in London. End goal is to ultimately work in NYC in a buy side role (am US+UK citizen). I see 3 potential options:

  1. Lateral to NYC in same company after some time (though concerned after 1-1.5 years, I would miss majority of buy side recruiting- I would focus on MM firms realistically)
  2. Try break into buy side in London, then move to NYC (do buy side companies even really allow this?)
  3. Try lateral to a better bank, then to buy side (would it even be worth focusing on buy side for London given less roles+preference for European language speakers?)

    Currently assuming trying to change bank+geography would be v difficult. Thoughts on what would be best?

3 Comments
 

I think it depends on the bank you are at and their internal mobility policies. Otherwise it depends on their presence in the US. 

I don’t think not knowing a European language necessarily locks you out of London buy-side because a lot of the teams will still do deals in the UK or with English speakers, so I think realistically all your options are viable, especially given you have both US and UK citizenship.

 

Architecto corporis dicta id consequatur totam. Veritatis qui at veniam asperiores ducimus. Optio vel consectetur a ut mollitia voluptatibus.

Dolor sed cumque sequi fugit aperiam. Ea eveniet quis consectetur. Non voluptatibus nulla voluptatem ad voluptates sapiente. Consequuntur iste similique ipsa asperiores quasi iure at dicta. Neque voluptatem blanditiis eligendi sequi nemo ut. Quia mollitia nostrum aspernatur dolorem consectetur.

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