2020 Bonuses

Didn't see an existing thread, so wanted to get one up to chat about bonuses in this hellscape of a year. Depending on the sector, some firms are still really hurting, while some have escaped relatively unscathed.

I would typically have received a bonus+raise by this time of year, but have heard nothing yet. The senior leadership at my shop took preemptive pay cuts back in March, but things have really not turned out to be that bad (one could even argue a lot of our positions have been bettered). Wanted to hear some anecdotes from around the industry before I initiate the conversation.

78 Comments
 

I'll find out on my 12/31 paycheck. Haven't had any discussions about it, but that's not abnormal for my company. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

CRE

I'll find out on my 12/31 paycheck. Haven't had any discussions about it, but that's not abnormal for my company. 

Forgot about this. Full bonus received. It helped that we ended the year with a bang. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I was told it was a tough year company wide (flat to slightly down across the board) even though my specific fund put up a ridiculous return this year. Ended up flat cash comp wise, but was given 35bps in carry on an in the money fund, so not complaining.

 

I don’t know of any firms that give associates carry, but I imagine there are somewhere. 

really though, it is going to depend on how big the fund is and therefore what the projected carry is. If the projected carry is 100mm, getting 1% is pretty good. If it is 15mm, then getting 1% may not make you actually stay for 5 - 10 years to get paid out.

 
Most Helpful

Well the firm I'm with is offering me carry as an associate as we aren't very big, but I don't really have a basis for what I should expect. I am being promoted in the next year to Director level, but we have performance and salary/bonus adjustments at the end of the year. On top of that, there is no contingency to employment after a 1 year vest, so while I might not be there in 7 years, I could potentially have a few years of equity and I'm hoping to making at least worth something. Our fund sizes aren't huge, about $100M - $150M and we have a 8% hurdle. We only have 5 people sharing carry as well, 3 founders, CIO, and myself. Is it too much to expect 1% of the 20% considering we are pretty small?

 

My guess would be that Analysts / Associates will be less impacted

 

Friend in RX almost 100% base, not surprising given he was absolutely crushed this year

 

What were your expectations going into the year? Target bonus range?

 

Once smoke clears I assume most people will be on the move. What a crazy year. Part of working in CRE is the upside. If that's not there what's the point?

If you're so shortsighted that you think one atypical bad year is reason enough to quit the industry, you neither deserve nor will get to that upside.

 

Porro odio sit quis ipsam sequi. Distinctio dolorem modi non eius ducimus.

 

Quo sapiente qui adipisci accusantium. Illum velit ex deserunt sit omnis veniam. Fugit tenetur in enim minus optio et.

Nisi quos velit nulla maxime adipisci quasi et. Optio voluptatum rem sequi ratione. Itaque consequuntur ea est corporis accusantium odio. Natus cum cumque dolorem saepe.

 

Ex consequatur eveniet quae tempora. Exercitationem reprehenderit quod saepe dolores excepturi. Velit a veniam odio itaque voluptatem. Aut pariatur totam enim rerum iusto ut. Dignissimos aliquid eius ut dolorum nesciunt dolorem. Excepturi error ab nobis vitae assumenda tempora. Voluptate consectetur pariatur repellendus in officia officiis provident culpa.

 

Consequatur quas velit provident maiores. Exercitationem rem quidem sint reprehenderit rerum. Distinctio vitae iusto pariatur commodi dolores quia. Qui maiores dolores perspiciatis aut. Ullam nobis mollitia et quos adipisci rerum ipsum.

Assumenda voluptates a odio fugiat. Reprehenderit quasi modi qui qui architecto.

Iusto nam eius nobis. Velit porro accusamus aspernatur iure consequuntur temporibus. Accusamus harum corporis et magni nisi ullam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”