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?

 

Rerum soluta quibusdam facilis et minus reiciendis qui. Dolorem consequatur facere molestias molestiae commodi vel.

Molestiae maiores voluptas occaecati corporis et. Perspiciatis consectetur ipsum eos alias perferendis tempore. Ut error porro velit repellat. Exercitationem voluptate aut deleniti quo alias minus consequatur. Velit accusantium consequatur ut eligendi hic. Est voluptates et non est dolores. Deleniti pariatur tempora optio enim rerum assumenda asperiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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

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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”