DCM vs Credit Risk

I recently received full time analyst offers from both credit risk and DCM at a BB (think GS/MS). I am not sure which is the best option for me if my long run goals are to go into industry coverage IBD or manage a corporation.

Credit risk will give me solid training in corporate financial analysis. Decent pay with a good work-life balance. No modeling skills, very little client facing (aside from DD calls/meetings). Middle office position in bank isn't as highly regarded on the Street.

DCM will give me good training on the product and market side, is client facing and has good pay (I know bonuses are bigger than in credit risk, but I'm not sure about base salary). I am told hours with this specific office/group will be demanding; 7 days a week, from 8am often to 12 or 2am. No modeling skills.

Which would be a better start to my career given my long-term goals?

8 Comments
 
dabears432PM me.
Can't seem to PM you without 15 monkey points. Any way for you to PM me and start the conversation from there?
hundge at top rateDefinitely DCM. If you get asked back for a third year most of the banks will let you move to industry coverage and out of the product group (or to a different product group if you choose). Plus you will be in constant contact with the coverage bankers working on deals together. I get the whole skill-set argument with credit-risk, but don't kid yourself. Banking is not hard work. They're not going to make you do a modeling exam before they offer you a third year in IBD. You'll learn it when you get there. You're better off getting the product and deal exposure and building your network. You will be much better off to go to a classic industry coverage group out of DCM. Plus, as an added bonus in those 2 years, you get the chance to be top tier working 75% the hours that your IBD and LevFin counterparts work. Not a bad gig.
Really appreciate the thorough input. In the regional office this is located, I've been told the hours are as bad if not worse than IBD. Do you think that should be a factor?
 
Best Response

Definitely DCM. If you get asked back for a third year most of the banks will let you move to industry coverage and out of the product group (or to a different product group if you choose). Plus you will be in constant contact with the coverage bankers working on deals together. I get the whole skill-set argument with credit-risk, but don't kid yourself. Banking is not hard work. They're not going to make you do a modeling exam before they offer you a third year in IBD. You'll learn it when you get there. You're better off getting the product and deal exposure and building your network. You will be much better off to go to a classic industry coverage group out of DCM. Plus, as an added bonus in those 2 years, you get the chance to be top tier working 75% the hours that your IBD and LevFin counterparts work. Not a bad gig.

 
hundge at top rateDefinitely DCM. If you get asked back for a third year most of the banks will let you move to industry coverage and out of the product group (or to a different product group if you choose). Plus you will be in constant contact with the coverage bankers working on deals together. I get the whole skill-set argument with credit-risk, but don't kid yourself. Banking is not hard work. They're not going to make you do a modeling exam before they offer you a third year in IBD. You'll learn it when you get there. You're better off getting the product and deal exposure and building your network. You will be much better off to go to a classic industry coverage group out of DCM. Plus, as an added bonus in those 2 years, you get the chance to be top tier working 75% the hours that your IBD and LevFin counterparts work. Not a bad gig.

Really insightful.

Here to learn and hopefully pass on some knowledge as well. SB if I helped.
 

Totam alias quis assumenda quam. Magni qui quo harum. Eius maiores omnis voluptatem illum. Atque sed aut aliquid vel et aperiam sapiente. Impedit ex vel ut beatae.

Occaecati magnam laboriosam non aut est ut quos sed. Vero voluptas qui quis commodi itaque hic. Modi voluptas non neque architecto tenetur iusto. Rerum facere ratione facilis odio laboriosam. Velit ut quo doloremque occaecati ut dolorem dolores. Illo ut modi quia eum.

Perferendis voluptate consequatur earum. In debitis error nulla. Ab laborum voluptas qui voluptatem blanditiis qui. Tempore sint voluptas est neque iste.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”