Getting Back to IB: Feedback on Potential Paths

Hey Everyone,
I am hoping to get some feedback from ex/current IBers with 7+ years of experience on best path forward when considering starting/partnering with someone in running an LMM IB platform.

Brief Background: I left IB about a year ago after working for four years as a special situations and generalist associate at a boutique LMM/MM IB shop. I currently work in a finance role at a large CPG company and, to be honest, am not exactly thrilled with the role. The primary reason I left IB was to find a role which was still mentally challenging but offered some work-life balance. I cannot exactly say it has worked out that way. Out of the 12+ months I have been here, I would say I am working 60+ hour weeks about 70% of the time. It wouldn't be that much of an issue if I was fairly compensated for that time but I am making about 55% less than I did in IB. Every incremental hour above 40 hours is worth more $ to me. In addition to that, I also miss the transactional nature of the work and the client interactions.

Situation at Hand: I am considering leaving my current position and getting back into IB. I have two paths which I am considering and are real possibilities: 1) partnering with some friends who have a small LMM IB shop set-up and working as an associate/vp there for % of deal fee (have not nailed down fee % yet); or 2) try to get a role as an associate/vp at a BB. I would ultimately like to be a business owner and pursue some arrangement in situation #1 where I am either running my own shop or partnering with someone in the future.
Questions I have are:

  1. How much of a difference do you think it makes in the future for starting a small shop if my resume said 6-7 years of banking experience (2-3 at a BB) versus 4 years of banking experience (only LMM/MM boutique shop)? I am honestly not too thrilled of dealing with the BS office culture and poor management which is so common across all BB IBs.

  2. What do you think is a fair/good deal fee percentage for the arrangement in situation #1?

Thank you,
XSX

 

Aut ipsa nesciunt velit. Quae eum vero aliquam aut aut.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
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...”