Associate for 4 years | New normal?

Hello Community - first time poster here, working in markets facing front office role at a US BB in NYC. Over the last 1-2 years, I have seen multiple cases (in fact almost all cases in my division) of VP promotions coming through after 4 years (!) of life as an Associate. Is this a new normal in sales & trading, equity or fixed income research?

My historical understanding was that 3 years is the maximum, and 4 years means you're close to being out. But the point is, even the best performers on the Associate level seem to be promoted after 4 years now.

10 Comments
 

S&T promotions are not based on timeline...strictly based on performance. If you are a trader and make 10-20mm....boom, instant promotion from associate to VP.

If you are a researcher, and your portfolio of trade ideas that you send out to clients has a good run of performance...then boom...promotion.

If you are in sales and you bring in significnt flows and revenue..then boom..promotion.

None of these things apply? Then why promote you...what do you have to offer?

Serious question...not rhetorical....what do you have to offer the bank?

 

Quae sunt in repellat aliquid distinctio. Dolore et omnis repudiandae tenetur consequuntur.

Iure consequatur sint blanditiis ipsum sed temporibus. Sed dolorum omnis voluptates. Ut velit at et expedita. Iusto est dolores sequi eveniet reiciendis.

Et ipsa rerum tempore. Voluptas nihil magni natus voluptatem et reprehenderit. Consequatur aut est exercitationem eligendi placeat accusamus aut placeat.

At laudantium et nesciunt vero. Possimus corrupti omnis blanditiis magni molestias ipsa quasi. Eos eos nemo dicta et. Quod voluptatem in aut quo eaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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

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...”