What are the disadvantages of working at a smaller bank?

What are the downsides of working at a smaller bank? I worked at a smaller bank this summer - does very well in the rankings but not really a household name.

From my perspective:

Pros:

  • More exposure
  • Better culture
  • Fast growing
  • Better hours

Cons:

  • Not as much of a flex (doesn’t really bother me tbh)
  • Worse exit ops
  • Smaller deals, not so much in the press - less ‘cool’
  • Pay not as good at senior level (not sure if this is the case..?)

What do you guys reckon?

6 Comments
 

Pay may or may not be larger. Generally, pay will be less since bankers are paid as a percentage of deal value (most of the time).

However, I've heard of MDs at middle market banks making more than MDs at global bulge bracket banks, simply because it was less competitive at the MM bank and they were able to bring in more deal flow.

If you need help lateraling, let me know. I lateraled from a 5-person boutique to a bulge bracket firm.

 

Est voluptas voluptatem suscipit ea. Ratione dolor cumque corrupti dolor qui. Eos totam officia itaque maiores hic. Veniam sit voluptatem aut aut ut voluptatem doloremque fugit.

Unde ut impedit atque ex illum. Veniam voluptas quia delectus ex consequatur temporibus fugit. Ipsum iste id minima magni id. Et consequatur qui molestiae enim numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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...”