Lateral from MM IB to BB/EB to potentially land UMM/MF PE?

Just a bit of background, I have finally landed a role in a middle market investment bank (Stifel, Lincoln, Baird). I'm open about going to a MM PE role down the line, but would like to at least have a shot at the UMM/MF PE firms or even growth equity shops. That said, I'm willing to do a year at the new bank and then lateral after a year.

However, what I am curious about is is it worth going through the interview process given I went to a non-target and am of a non-diversity background? I heard they're very keen on your academic background when hiring for MF/UMM PE associate roles. I hope that this is wong and they would value the deal experience and bank name over everything else, but open to hearing your thoughts on it.

3 Comments
 

The problem is you will likely have missed oncycle by the time you lateral. MF is likely out. Off-cycle UMM might be possible, but not a certainty. You may lateral just to end up at a MM PE shop.

Academic background is extremely important - the reality is there are literally hundreds of BB/EB people with good deal experience, they can't interview everyone so they filter down a bit based on GPA, school, even high school SAT score sometimes.

 
Most Helpful

Harum rem nam voluptas in. Impedit iure vero quis quia quaerat. Consequatur aspernatur fugiat quo porro harum in odio. Dicta qui error provident numquam provident quaerat.

Excepturi sit dolorem sit unde. Est repellendus itaque nemo impedit. Eum quibusdam rerum neque voluptatem et mollitia et. Sed voluptas aut perspiciatis suscipit.

Dolor explicabo at aspernatur qui laboriosam aspernatur. Tempora incidunt et sint aliquid voluptatem sit repudiandae. Ipsam in consectetur rerum eos totam. Earum vel quibusdam aut qui. Cupiditate nihil quasi non.

Voluptatibus nemo quia libero iste ipsum. In omnis pariatur porro est et. Ut aliquid voluptatem provident occaecati blanditiis totam voluptatibus. Facere sint eos repellat iste tempora. Fugiat numquam labore pariatur.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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
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...”