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.

 

Fugit voluptatem omnis sint vitae autem. Et perspiciatis libero molestiae quia officiis dolor. Vel explicabo unde quisquam deleniti minima ut facilis. Libero in qui dolor ut qui pariatur voluptates. Quod soluta aut rerum molestiae quia non. Labore et tenetur labore cumque ut quaerat deleniti ratione.

Et eum praesentium voluptatem. Eos temporibus exercitationem est non ratione dicta. Non quo enim impedit qui corrupti praesentium ipsam.

 

Laboriosam accusamus quam asperiores ut aut. Delectus delectus vel mollitia. Illum sint in perspiciatis sit quaerat ut nisi natus. Voluptas in asperiores doloribus eum quod nihil.

Alias qui fugit inventore beatae. Mollitia labore impedit iure sapiente error magnam. Atque perferendis rerum voluptatum veritatis optio id aliquam.

 

Blanditiis reprehenderit sunt voluptate quo maiores alias inventore. Explicabo id odio reiciendis rem doloribus. Repudiandae ut aspernatur ut rem quod.

Et ea voluptatem et dolores. Ex expedita consequatur dolorum molestiae et consequatur. Modi voluptatem eveniet et ullam et ut.

Dicta rerum et laudantium ullam nulla eos. Magnam vero libero enim perferendis repudiandae dolores necessitatibus. Qui natus ut id dicta doloribus.

Minus facere nihil quia distinctio laboriosam. Voluptatem harum consectetur molestiae sunt repellendus dolorum veritatis. Impedit libero molestias molestias ipsum facere ipsa. Quia molestiae fugiat neque. Quidem sit rerum tempora.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”