2nd Year Analyst Bonus When Going To Buyside

I am currently a second year analyst at a BB and I have signed a buyside offer for summer 2022. Most of the analysts and associates know that I am leaving and they are aware of the other analysts within my class who are leaving. Question is, assuming I get a good review, will I get a lower bonus compared to my peers come year end bonus based on that?

I think it can go 2 ways:

  1. The bank cheaps out on me knowing that I wont be staying within the group and will pay me the least amount possible
  2. They pay me fairly based on how my reviews go as they know most future analysts will leave after 2 years and they don't want to disincentivize any future 2nd years

Would be great to see what others experience with this has been like.

5 Comments
 

Your second point is correct - 2nd years get very nice bonuses, often even if they've left before it's paid out (as long as they've finished the program, i.e. whole class leaves in June and bonuses paid in August).

Any A2As in your group will probably get a bigger bonus just because they're staying, but the firm definitely won't stiff you. They don't want it getting back to first years and they don't want to make you, now a client at the PE firm, angry

 

FWIW, I’m in a similar situation and was told by a former analyst that I should keep my offer quiet since my bank has previously given bottom bucket bonuses to analysts they know or suspect are leaving, irregardless of the reviews. I know this is not the norm and irrelevant to your situation since your peers already know but figured I’d mention it for others

 
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