Associate Level

If you have been working in finance for several years and/or gone to a business school for an MBA, you can break into investment banking as an associate. It is also possible to be promoted to associate directly from analyst level if you stay on with the bank for a 3rd year as an analyst. 

Best paying on this level in London is Morgan Stanley with 157,000 GBP in total compensation, followed by Citigroup with 141,000 GBP and Credit Suisse with 137,000 GBP.

Director Level

This is basically a mixture between vice president and managing director. The focus is both on executing deals and client relationships and what you actually do will depend on the needs of the group at the time. Also known as 'Executive Director'.

The highest total compensation on this level pays Citigroup with 300,000 GBP, followed by  Morgan Stanley with 258,000 GBP and Bank of America Meryll Lynch with 255,000 GBP. 

VP Level

Your role is to make sure that the work your analysts and associates produce is what your senior vice president and managing directors want. There is a lot of client interaction and the work becomes more client relationship orientated. 

Best paying on this level is JP Morgan Chase 476,000 GBP in total compensation, followed by Morgan Stanley with 449,000 GBP and Credit Suisse at 392,000 GBP.

Managing Director Level

MD is the highest level you can achieve within a bank without becoming a group head or higher (CEO, CFO etc). Almost all of an MD’s time is spent on client relationships and sourcing new clients.

Best paying firm on this level is JP Morgan with 915,000 GBP in total compensation, followed by Bank of America Meryll Lynch with 847,000 GBP and Credit Suisse with 804,000 GBP.

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