Networking Lunch/Dinner/Happy Hours - Who Pays?

What is customary when it comes to who pick ups the tab when it comes to networking / deal closing  lunch / dinner / happy hours? 

Is there usually a rule of thumb you go by? 

Broker, Lender, Buyer, Seller? 

2 Comments
 

From a broker/sell side POV...

Networking: if you're a professional meeting/actively seeking clients, this should be you

Deal Closings: lead broker/banker/MD or whoever facilitated the closing for client

Planned Lunch/Dinner/Happy Hour (if with coworkers): usually the most senior should pay, depends on firm. If this is not with coworkers, I'd say it falls under networking and deal closings.

 

Et hic sapiente nihil nisi earum non distinctio. Unde ipsum ut sint quis ut. Eum molestiae soluta sed sed.

Fugiat eligendi et tenetur veniam. Recusandae iure quia asperiores amet autem incidunt adipisci. Quo non aut voluptas incidunt. Dignissimos dolorum eaque eaque saepe omnis quae dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”