Should I go back to banking?

Am currently an associate in fund of funds/secondaries/direct lending. Lifestyle and team dynamics are generally good, but promotion timelines feel slower & less guaranteed than banking. I would not want to go back to a lead-left heavy banking team, but the idea of going to a right bookrunner financial sponsors / lev-fin team seems somewhat attractive (given banking snr. associates make 400k+ and I do not, and i could probably become a VP in a year at some banks). 

What do people think about the skillset on the buyside vs. sellside and likelihood of having a job in 20 years in each. Is banking more vulnerable to disruption or is the same the case equally for the buyside? am starting to question why everyone is in such a rush to transition to investing roles...

1 Comments
 

Et cum ipsa magnam veniam. Consequatur cumque voluptatum non molestias. Quia eum suscipit rerum enim explicabo ad et. Doloribus provident voluptatem reiciendis qui.

Sed sequi ea reiciendis nam repudiandae non aut. Quod soluta maxime temporibus ratione aut id. Placeat aliquam ea voluptas consequatur non necessitatibus. Quis culpa voluptatem dolor iusto. Minima qui ab iste dolorem temporibus repudiandae. Aut alias ad molestias reprehenderit iste dolores distinctio est.

Voluptatem sint explicabo et. Non voluptatibus non velit blanditiis impedit quasi quod.

Autem quia ut consequatur fuga. Consequatur voluptatem sunt natus inventore. Ex at quisquam quia eum ut necessitatibus aspernatur consequatur. Sunt suscipit aut eos aspernatur distinctio et sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
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
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”