Why does it seem that most people hate The finance industry?

This is a trend I’ve noticed, just some background about me: 3rd year student about to a S&T intern [ insert Bulge Bracket ]. I come from a small town(conservative) and go to university in a liberal city.

Whenever I would go to a cafe, restaurant etc and the service worker/owner would ask me about my summer plans I would tell them I’m interning at [ Insert Bulge Bracket ] and want to be a trader. I say it proudly as I’m a first generation student from a non target and it took a lot of work to secure the internship.

They would response very dryly/awkwardly and sometimes give me a look like I gave their grandmother Covid. I get Wall Street created the financial crisis but it’s been 13 years why does everyone seem to hate those who work in Finance??

7 Comments
 

Because of the ever growing wealth and income disparity that finance, more specifically capitalism, has created over the duration of our nation's existence. Also when you look at the news there's almost always something negative about politics, the economy, or social issues at large, so it's inevitable that the average person is going to take in this info and be swayed to think something negative about the finance industry at large (ex. the suits vs WSB for GME and AMC).

Array
 

I understand where you are coming from, firstly they asked me specifically about my summer plans and to put into context. The two instances took place with a barista in a cafe I go to all the time so I know her and the other person was my barber who I have a good relationship but as soon as I brought it up it became dry/awkward.

I’m trying to understand is all; wasn’t using a bragging tone.

 

Itaque accusamus et aperiam tempora distinctio quaerat. Quasi ut quisquam voluptatem quaerat autem accusamus. Sunt odit quisquam voluptas atque laboriosam est facilis nemo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”