Quitting with bonus after lateraling
Folks, hoping to crowdsource an answer to the following question:
A few months ago, I made a lateral move during my second year of investment banking to a more reputed IB. The offer I accepted included a verbal commitment to buy out my second year bonus, to be paid in mid-August during the normal cycle (there is no clawback language in my offer letter as it is discretionary).
During the two weeks I had between these IB jobs, I was invited to in-person interviews for an incredible opportunity (growth equity/VC), and received an offer from that firm a couple weeks into my current gig. The exit opp is aware of the lateral and is fine with it. The question, however, is whether I should stay to collect my bonus at my current firm or quit beforehand (I will not ask my exit opp to comp it - this idea is tabled). In effect, I would be collecting a full year bonus after having worked there for just a few months.
Is this something I would regret in the long term? I think it's one thing to leave my current team after they'd recently offered me a job, and another to also take a full year bonus on the way out. Long term, I'm concerned that the team will be unhappy about what was already a short tenure in case anyone is ever asked (hard to predict how these things come up, but they always can).
There's also a concern for MBA applications - when I explain that I left early to take this investing role, would I be judged harshly by adcom for collecting that bonus?
That said, I worked hard in my second year and also during my time at this firm. I don't like the work at the current firm anyway (the what, not the how much). I also will not be making IB comp at the exit opp for at least the first couple years and could definitely use the cash.
Educated thoughts are greatly appreciated.