Congrats to IlliniProgrammer, 2011 WSO Member of the Year

He buys suits from JC Penneys, he's a MSD, he's a die-hard frugalosophist, but as UFOinsider put it, "At the end of the day, he still adds more value to this site than you." And since IP won "everyone gets a free $1 off coupon for a 1.5 L bottle of Yellowtail"

We also have to give a BIG congratulations to CompBanker who finished a very close second in the race (IP 149, CB 138). CB was winning until I adjusted the poll to IP vs CB straight-up (and until CB got tired of making fake accounts to vote ;), so it easily couldve ended either way.

A huge debt of gratitude is owed to you guys and to the other top monkeys out there who have made a solid contribution to WSO over the past year; the site wouldn't be what it is without you and we really appreciate all that you have done. THANK YOU!!

Below are links to some of their forum posts from the past year, but the majority of IP/CB's contributions comes from their comments in threads. There was a homage to IP back in April but feel free to give some more monkey love / SB's in the comments below, or even better buy em a drink if you are lucky enough to meet up with them someday.

A few of of IP's posts over the last year: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-affluent-get-t… //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/blankfein-and-gold…

//www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/bill-gross-raise-m…

CB: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/graduating-into-a-… //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/happy-thanksgiving… //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/best-place-to-netw… (from late 2010) //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-i-got-into-ban… (from way back in '06, but one of WSO's highest ranked posts of all time)

Btw I'll be in touch with both of you guys about your prizes, IP some 10% off coupons to Mens Wearhouse and CB a shirt from our apparel store - I recommend the very popular "Bankers Do it With Models" one :)

25 Comments
 

Don't say a huge debt of gratitude is owed to IP...he hates debt.

Ok, lame joke. Congrats sir.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
Brady4MVPAs someone who knows IP personally, this is well deserved. He's a great guy, the paragon of midwestern humility, frugality, and virtue. He's the antithesis of the excesses of NYC and is the true embodiment of what made America great.
IP, you should put this on your resume.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Thanks everyone! Also big props to CompBanker as well as ANT, Monty, Midas, Eddie, (who stayed out of the race but would have crushed us), et. all. All have made huge contributions to the forums this year.

Obviously this was a very close race, but if I am out next year, it looks like Comp is the clear favorite.

I intend to spend my winnings on PBR, repairing rusty hondas, and on buying yellowtail coupons.

If you would like to get a $1 off coupon for Yellowtail, please buy it, save your receipt, and bring it to the next WSO meetup where I will reimburse you.

 

What a hilarious post! You might enjoy pairing Rockbrook Cellar Merlot with Freezer Queen's Broccoli with Cheese Sauce. Simply lovely.

It'll only cost you $4, not to mention the medical savings you'll realize by dying at 54.

I rich, smarts, and totally in debt.
 

IP, congratz!

You are the best monkey of us all! Represent the midwest my friend.

Congratz again!

I want a lady on the street, but a freak in the bed, Go Bucks!!
 
Best Response

Congrats IP, a fierce opponent for sure! I've certainly enjoyed your contributions throughout the year.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Haha. Congrats IP! Definitely well-deserved.

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis, you can't trust people Jeremy
 

Aut est dolores veniam est unde molestiae sed. Omnis delectus sint quis quo et voluptatem ea. Velit eum sed sit magnam suscipit natus nulla. Nihil sed porro placeat quidem impedit cupiditate consequatur vel.

Expedita corporis impedit iusto voluptatem provident laborum corrupti. Eaque omnis quo iusto sequi fugit a consectetur. Nihil non sit atque nihil impedit et ut quis. Commodi sint ea necessitatibus optio.

Eius ut tenetur eligendi sed soluta eos aut. Doloribus voluptatem incidunt ut. Deserunt dignissimos aut sapiente perferendis eos. Nihil ab explicabo cumque ipsum. Vel sit et sed.

Ex at est qui eum est exercitationem. Maxime rem quidem numquam deserunt molestiae autem ratione. Molestias ex saepe qui sed minima voluptatibus perferendis et.

"All I've ever wanted was an honest week's pay for an honest day's work."

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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”