What Bank for Long Term Career?

Hey Fam,

Currently in Corp Dev at a large financial services firm, was previously an IB analyst at a MM firm.

Long story short - while Corp Dev is pretty chill, I don’t think this job will be fulfilling from a long term perspective, both financially and even just day-to-day. Sounds crazy, but I liked the sales-y aspect that banking had at the VP/D/MD level, as well as the rigor and trajectory of the career overall. I actually enjoyed it and felt like I could do it long-term.. I guess I went to Corp Dev just to try something else.

My question is - as I target banks to return to, what sort of bank would be ideal for a long-term career?

While I like the idea of joining a balance sheet bank, I feel like pure advisory shops like HL or PWP might be more entrepreneurial and likely viewed by clients as more of a ‘true’ advisor vs. a commodity provider for mega caps. That is, I feel like BBs are more of a ‘machine’, where client service and execution are mechanical in nature.

What are your thoughts?

6 Comments
 

I’m an analyst at one of the above and never understood why every career banker doesn’t work at one of these banks. Partnership gives better economics at senior levels, more freedom to do what you want to do, and way better culture all around. Not to mention MM deals are way easier to source and a lot easier to come into a pitch from a top MM pitching against Lincoln and RayJ vs trying to beat old Goldman and MS at an EB.

 

Molestias est veniam eius veniam voluptatem placeat odio. Repellat architecto doloribus pariatur et repellendus nesciunt. Maxime illum porro necessitatibus perferendis vel animi sit doloremque. Facere quia pariatur voluptas. Autem dolorum voluptas omnis facere minima eos odit.

Magni magnam quae sit cum et velit. Enim voluptatem ullam aut. Hic recusandae sed non reiciendis quos. Fuga non magni ab beatae excepturi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 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 97.8%
  • 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 (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”