Valuation or Commercial Banking

Finished a MSF in 2019 and have been working in valuation for a large accounting firm (~75 mil rev) for the last year. However, I have a close connection at a well respected, mid-sized bank, that is trying to recruit me and put me on a path to be a commercial lender.

  1. I enjoy the work I am doing, and see a lot of room for growth. I'm not sure where I want to be in 10 years, but I don't care to try and transition into IB.
  2. From what it seems, there isn't much change in salary either way I go.
  3. The bank is growing fast within the state, went public 2 years ago. However, our valuation team is also growing fast, added 5 employees in the last few months (50% increase since I started).  

I feel like both are good options but I can't seem to feel confident about either and would love to hear everyone's opinions on each industry or just some broad/anecdotal advice. 

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Some friends from my MSF class went Valuation. 1 hated it and left after a year to a smaller IB shop in a tier 3 city bc he was worried about being just a cog and that's it. No real human interaction. If you think you would thrive off deal chasing, schmoozing and etc I would do CB. That's not to glamorize it but its just a naturally more extroverted job. Not sure what level you would come it at but I assume you would at least be meeting with the CFO's of you all's PortCo's. Speaking with the your counter part at other banks, if you all are in a syndicated deal, over recent compliance certificates and etc. So like I said naturally a way more extroverted role. I'm not really sure what the valuation career path is but at least w CB if you're smart and know how to network (extrovert) you can def find your way into a private credit fund. 

 

Can you elaborate on going from CB to a private credit fund? Currently in CB (my title is wrong) and am looking to make the move to a private credit fund. I'm guessing they don't have a very structured recruiting process, so would the way to go be to reach out via linkedin and then build a relationship, with hopes that when a spot opens up an associate or whoever can keep you in the loop and put in a good word for you?

 

Et similique eaque eligendi aliquam recusandae est. Velit natus illo dicta atque quia quia minus.

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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”