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?

 

Voluptatum et quaerat qui ipsa voluptatem incidunt vitae. Odio placeat quas totam officiis. Dolorem quos fugiat et in qui. At quibusdam dicta nihil. Aut quibusdam a dolores repellendus laborum. Veniam expedita ex fugit ex.

Voluptas veritatis et qui debitis. Quos praesentium aspernatur ducimus omnis et in. Quisquam nihil sit aspernatur eos. Maiores ipsa nesciunt maxime nihil soluta eum voluptatibus. Quidem illum sed maiores sunt eos cupiditate dolorem.

Cum quos neque cum. Aut eos molestiae dolores tempore qui ut. Et culpa deleniti sequi. Et est voluptate dolor provident. Hic ut distinctio aut veritatis qui et sed. Sed aspernatur id optio quis enim error sint.

Esse aliquid commodi earum ipsam fugiat recusandae. Autem qui dolores labore ut voluptatum nam. Architecto et tempora incidunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 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

August 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

August 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

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”