Should I move to a BB?

Just started the 2nd year of my analyst program at a European bank. Doing really well, considered a top performer across the floor and the place has great culture and work-life balance, plus I'm at an HQ office in a rotational program with the chance to rotate in different sectors within M&A and other products as well.

Got an offer to start at an American BB in a Southern European country. in June as a generalist with the 1st year class (small office, so it's only me and another analyst that converted his internship that would start). 

Unsure about what to do. Below the pros and cons that I could think of. 

Pros

  • Much better brand and exit opps
  • Higher long-term comp
  • Chance to excel as a 1st-year analyst as I have plenty of experience across the whole spectrum of tasks, from origination to execution
  • Analyst program is 2 years vs. 3 years at my bank -> should get promoted to associate at roughly the same time
  • Rare opportunity: very competitive to get an IB job in that country due to extremely few spots, even more so at an American BB

Cons

  • Lose all the goodwill I built at my bank, where I am on the fast track for early promotion and very well considered
  • Place is much more hierarchical and less flexible there. I am getting a lot of freedom where I am working now and can often work quite independently on pitching and modelling on execution. That would completely change
  • Seniority discount to again 1st-year analyst does not feel great, especially now that "the worst" period is behind me...
  • Much worse work-life balance and culture from what I hear (higher pressure, average 1-2am vs. 11-12 at my bank)
  • Need to move which is never nice
  • Not even sure I want to stay in the industry long-term even if I am seemingly really good at it. Very passionate about value investing and sometimes daydreaming about starting my business

Keen to hear the thoughts of someone who went through a similar decision.

3 Comments
 

Quas voluptas possimus illum rerum consequatur veniam ullam. Voluptatibus magni dolor aut nihil sint molestias nostrum.

Qui omnis consequatur velit accusantium. Dolores beatae id ducimus atque libero. Aut sunt nam eum dicta nam sit fugit amet. Excepturi fuga molestiae aut qui et dicta nesciunt. Iusto porro voluptatem illum omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

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

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $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

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...”