Well, I’ve done investment banking at a Bulge Bracket bank, and I’m here to give you the lowdown.
In this article, I’ll discuss investment banking hours, typical schedule, and how to deal with the unpredictability.
The Short Answer: Longer Than You Probably Think
On average, investment bankers work 12 to 16 hours a day, which adds up to 60 to 80 hours a week. But that’s just the average; during busy deal times, those hours can grow by a huge amount.
My Personal Experience in the Banking Trenches
As someone who’s survived the investment banking battleground at a major bank, I can tell you the stories about crazy hours aren’t exaggerated. When I was an analyst at Deutsche Bank’s Financial Sponsors Group there were weeks where my office chair felt more like home than my actual apartment.
The truth is, I didn’t mind the long hours as much as the unpredictability. Making dinner plans with friends became almost impossible because I never knew when a client request would land on my desk at 5pm requiring immediate attention.
Breaking Down a Banker’s Typical Day
I’ll show you what a “normal” day for an investment bank analyst looks like:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30-9:30am | Arrive at office, check emails, prep for morning meetings |
| 9:30am-12pm | Team meetings, client calls, work on financial models |
| 12-1pm | Grab lunch (often at desk or quick takeout) |
| 1-7pm | Continue working on financial models, create PowerPoint decks, research |
| 7-8pm | Order dinner to the office (bank pays!) |
| 8pm-12am | Final push on deliverables, address feedback from senior bankers |
| 12-2am | Wrap up work, head home (on good days) |
This schedule goes well past 2am on really busy days during live deals, and sometimes you have to pull “all-nighters” where you don’t sleep at all.
Why Do Bankers Work Such Insane Hours?
There are several reasons why investment banking demands such crazy time commitments:
- Always be pitching – Even without active deals, bankers constantly create pitches to win new business
- Client responsiveness – Banking is ultra-competitive; responding instantly to client requests is how you win
- Bottlenecks and waiting – Junior bankers often wait around for senior bankers to provide feedback or direction
- Banking culture – Long hours are deeply embedded in the industry’s DNA – it’s a badge of honor
The Reality Across Different Banking Levels
The hours do get slightly better as you climb the ladder:
- Analysts (entry-level): 80-100+ hours/week (13-16+ hours/day)
- Associates: 70-90 hours/week (12-15 hours/day)
- VPs: 65-80 hours/week (11-13 hours/day)
- Directors/MDs: 60-75 hours/week (10-12 hours/day)
Each level typically works about 5 hours less per week than the level below them. But remember – no one escapes the unpredictability when a major deal is happening!
Weekend Work: Yes, That’s a Thing Too
Even though some banks are trying to make “protected Saturday” policies, many people still work on the weekends. Sunday is often spent prepping for the week ahead.
I still remember having to duck out of Thanksgiving dinner to finish some urgent financial modeling for a live deal. Not my proudest moment, but that’s banking life.
Is It Worth It? The Brutal Cost-Benefit Analysis
The massive time commitment comes with some serious tradeoffs:
The Good Stuff
- Excellent compensation (six-figure salaries + bonuses for first-year analysts)
- Accelerated learning curve – you’ll gain years of experience in months
- Prestigious resume builder with amazing exit opportunities
- Chance to work on major financial transactions
- Strong network of smart, driven colleagues
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Physical exhaustion and potential burnout
- Limited personal life and social relationships
- Difficulty maintaining exercise routines or healthy habits
- Mental health challenges from stress and sleep deprivation
- Missing important life events (birthdays, weddings, etc.)
How to Survive the Banking Hours Gauntlet
If you’re determined to pursue investment banking despite the hours, here are some survival tips:
- Master efficiency – Learn shortcuts, templates, and how to prioritize
- Build stamina gradually – Your body will adjust, but don’t burn out in the first month
- Take micro-breaks – Even 5 minutes of fresh air can reset your brain
- Make the most of rare free time – Quality over quantity with friends/family
- Find small joys – Whether it’s the free dinner or bonding with fellow analysts
The Unpredictability Factor: The Real Killer
For me, the worst part wasn’t even the long hours – it was not knowing when I’d be done each day. You might think you’re leaving at 8pm, then a senior banker drops a revision request at 7:30pm that keeps you until midnight.
I’ve worked pretty hard before in college to get good grades, but banking was a different level of commitment. The unpredictability and constant need to be “on call” was what truly tested my limits.
Is This Sustainable? The Industry is (Slowly) Changing
Many banks have started implementing policies to improve work-life balance after some tragic incidents involving junior bankers. These include:
- Protected Saturdays
- Mandatory vacation time
- Faster hiring to distribute workload
- Technology to automate routine tasks
But let’s be real – banking hours will always be demanding. It’s inherent to the business model and competitive nature of the industry.
My Final Take: Know What You’re Signing Up For
Looking back at my time in investment banking, was it worth it? For me, yes. The experience was incredibly valuable and opened doors to exciting opportunities (I eventually moved into growth equity at General Atlantic).
But it’s not for everyone, and that’s completely OK! The banking lifestyle requires serious sacrifice during your prime years. You should go in with your eyes wide open.
If you value predictability, work-life balance, and maintaining regular social commitments, investment banking might not be your best fit. But if you’re willing to commit a few years to an intense experience that can accelerate your career, it could be exactly right.
Bottom Line
Investment bankers work approximately 12-16 hours per day on average, with significant variation depending on deal flow and seniority. The job demands extraordinary commitment but can provide exceptional rewards for those willing to endure the grind.
Have you worked in investment banking? I’d love to hear about your experience with the hours in the comments below!
Typical Investment Banking Hours
In investment banking, it’s true: long hours are the norm.
As an investment banking analyst or associate, you should expect to work ~60-80 hours per week. However, some weeks can be far in excess of this, especially if there’s a “live deal” in the works.
Many bankers brag about working 100-120 hours per week. While this certainly occurs often (e. g. on a live deal), I wouldn’t say it’s the norm. It’s not sustainable for anyone, even the most committed analyst, to work that much over a long period of time.
Hours do get better as you get more senior. With each level, you’ll probably work ~5 hours per week less on average.
However, remember, it’s a service-oriented job and all the firms compete on how rapidly they can serve a client’s need. It will always be unpredictable and require long hours, especially when there’s a live deal.
Everything You Need to Master Growth Equity Interviews
An investment banking analyst’s typical day is sometimes quite chaotic.
Activities include attending meetings, doing financial modeling, and analyzing finances, and creating presentations / powerpoint slides.
Many times, you can leave your desk for lunch or even breakfast. Also, you can order dinner to go and eat with your coworkers. Sometimes associates will join and eat too.
Then after dinner, you’ll typically start work up again and do a final push. This can last until 9pm on good nights or as late as 3am on bad nights. It’s not uncommon for analysts to be required to do “all nighters” if a deal is particularly crazy. However, this doesn’t occur frequently.
Why Do Bankers Tolerate the Long Hours?
FAQ
How many hours do bankers work?
Typical Investment Banking Hours As an investment banking analyst or associate, you should expect to work ~60-80 hours per week. However, some weeks can be far in excess of this, especially if there’s a “live deal” in the works. Many bankers brag about working 100-120 hours per week.
What is a typical day for a banker?
The Bottom Line An investment banker’s typical day involves a late start, an afternoon focused on live deals, and evenings that are dedicated to revising and preparing documents for presentations.
How many hours do bank tellers work?
How many hours do Bank Teller work on average? On average, Bank Tellers work around 40 hours per week, aligning with typical banking hours.
What are typical banking hours?
Weekday Bank Hours: Different banks have different hours, but most of them stay open late at least one day a week. This is so people with 9-to-5 jobs can still have time after work to visit the bank. On these days, bank branches typically close around 6:00 or 7:00 p. m.
