Offered a position but only for $70K?

I got offered a position at a smaller lending firm. The position is a Senior Loan Analyst but they only offered a base of $70K and a 10% bonus, which is quite disappointing when the job description sent to me showed a range of $75K-$85K and the bonus is puny.

Also, I was wondering if someone could take a look at the job description and walk me through potential career opportunities in the future? Thanks guys!

19 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I'd bump that bonus ask up as well, don't want to cap yourself out of the gate. Assuming you don't get meaningful salary bump with your ask that all in comp seems low, shoot for $90/20%, and aim to land from $90-$100k all in. Key to negotiation is keeping multiple chips in the play to maximize your outcome, also be sure to include justifications/rationale. I'm not sure of your workstyle (9-5 vs go-getter), but personally I'd put more pressure on setting the bonus target higher now with an $80/20% = $96k target versus $$85/10% = $97k. Salary increases will come consistently, and are easier to argue at year end vs bonus %'s as the lion's share of the profit pool have already been allocated when you get your YE number. Much easier to argue why you didn't get your target, and worse case scenario allocate it toward bigger salary bumps if they can't justify your under performance.

I used something along the lines of this when I first went into the PE buy-side of the business and ended up getting an even larger bonus % at YE (major metro, lower cost of living than SoCal, 5+ years ago) 

"A target bonus of 20% is a reasonable ask and arguably below market. I expect to be able to hit the ground running given my experience and intend to put all my effort in progressing faster than your baseline expectations. I would much prefer the opportunity and incentive during my initial year to surpass your expectations and work toward the goal of earning that figure, if not more, instead of setting the expectation low and arguing for additional pay after the fact at year end."

Again, where you want to shake out in your final negotiation depends on your work-style & how career oriented you are, regardless I would still suggest requesting both increases (salary & bonus) to provide you the most leverage and flexibility to hit your target comp. 

Hope that helps 

 

Perspiciatis id nihil et occaecati. Corrupti nihil consequatur qui odit dolorem aut ullam. Dolorum quisquam modi eaque voluptate laudantium voluptatem ipsa est. Mollitia qui atque ab quis repellat aliquid autem. Sed expedita et voluptate est aliquam tempore. Quis officiis neque facilis incidunt dolorem quo. Beatae distinctio possimus et velit voluptatem aut porro.

Suscipit mollitia est illo ea deleniti dolor. In esse sed perferendis. Est voluptas animi ut ducimus. Facilis mollitia ducimus dicta. Sit nisi est autem debitis. Molestiae eligendi qui consequatur porro ea voluptatum accusamus. Occaecati rerum consequuntur sit sunt repellendus ipsum dolorem.

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 07 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”