Moving down-market for work life balance / quality of life upgrade?

While everyone would prefer to work-less hours all else equal for similar money, how many of you have truly made a jump downmarket to a less competitive role (likely for less money)? Either from IB to corporate banking, or corporate banking to commercial banking? If so, at what cost? Any regrets? Do you miss doing the more complex transactions?

Context: I am currently in a tier 2 city in a solid corporate banking vertical on the PM / underwriting side (VP level). Hours aren't horrible but still typically ~50+ with pretty fast paced unforgiving environment since we run quite lean. I've learned a lot and exceled in the group, but not sure if this is what I imagine for the rest of career. Considering options closer to my hometown in a tier 3 city on the commercial side. Obviously would lose out a bit on the compensation upside but be in a true 40 hour a week job that may feel more rewarding. Pay is still $150k+ at this level so it’s still a comfortable life style if you aren’t living over the top.

1 Comments
 

Qui labore iusto sit architecto magni voluptates dolores ipsa. Corrupti harum explicabo in aut dolore veniam. Sunt ea magni qui qui facilis. Blanditiis temporibus quod ut veritatis consequatur.

Soluta fuga non aut. Nemo optio doloribus consequatur reprehenderit facilis vel accusantium dolorum. Dolor rem necessitatibus quia consectetur quia dicta.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”