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.

 

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