Should I lateral to a BB from a lower tier Boutique?

As an intern, was wondering if I should lateral to a lower tier BB (Think UBS, DB, what used to be CS, Barclays) out of a lower tier boutique firm?

I'm fortunate enough to have an in with the MD and VP and a few Analysts at the BB I'm looking at. Normally this would be a no-brainer for exits and prestige but my current firm happens to have slightly better pay, likely better culture, and likely better hours than the BB firm I'm looking at. 

Do you guys think its worth the sacrifice in pay and hours for the potentially better exits and prestige at a BB firm?

If so I was thinking of reaching out starting this week, or am I already too late looking to lateral?

3 Comments
 
God's sanest cokehead

People rave about exit opps they never exit to. If you can see yourself working long-term at the place you're at, then don't leave. Simple as that

This.

Exit opps only matter if exiting IB is the long term goal.

If it is - then the better the brand and group - the better the exit opportunity.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

Itaque quia nobis doloribus saepe velit iusto. Consequatur repudiandae ea sit error iusto. Tenetur dolores dicta totam in quam qui dolorum quo. Iusto et est mollitia.

Eius qui totam sunt eos rem error eos. Aut inventore eveniet optio et. Officia et similique atque voluptas minus sit. Fugit animi omnis inventore neque culpa odit.

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 (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”