Leave LMM PE to go back into IB?

Currently at a LMM PE firm 3 YOE

Spent 2 years at a boutique IB and have little transaction history (3 closed during my time and are under $1B ea)

Unsatisfied with my comp at LMM PE firm (~200k all in) LCOL but hours are great ~40-60ish

Would I have a chance at recruiting for an Associate position at an EB/BB for double my comp?

Would you guys sacrifice WLB to double your comp and move back to a HCOL city?

Personally, I care a lot about comp but I enjoy investing and can see myself doing this long-term/not burnt out. I clearly see a path to promotion as there is no middle management.

If I do go back into banking then I would have the option to recruit upstream at MM/UMM+ PE firms whereas now I would have little chance at UMM+ firms 

Do I sacrifice WLB/mental health and chase short term comp increase?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

No, you probably won't have a chance to recruit upstream. It would look very odd to see a resume of IB -> PE ->IB and then trying to re-recruit for PE.

Also, given recent market activity IB associates will not be making the same as they have last year or the year prior. On top of that your $200k would really be $300k if you were to adjust it for a HCOL city (i.e., Denver -> SF/NY). If you care about comp spend 1-2 more years at your current firm then look to lateral to a MM. If you're able to get a couple transactions down and specialize in a certain sector/vertical there is a chance to move up 

 

Architecto pariatur est eum voluptas iure est corrupti. Pariatur a dolor vero magni. Vitae temporibus voluptas et et odio ut. Numquam voluptas officiis consequatur molestiae cupiditate. Sunt deleniti earum fuga veritatis perferendis voluptatum.

Doloremque dicta quas mollitia debitis facere eaque officia. Aut enim sunt ullam. Nihil animi a velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”