Roles, Salaries and Progression in European Investment Banking

Investment banking in Europe spans several major hubs — Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Luxembourg for EU-regulated business, alongside London for the broader market — with global banks and boutique advisory firms competing for talent across M&A, capital markets and leveraged finance. First-year analyst pay typically runs 15–30% below New York levels once adjusted for market norms, though hours and workload are comparable. Progression follows a familiar ladder: analyst, associate, vice president, director and managing director, with each step usually taking two to four years. Strong English plus at least one other European language is a real advantage throughout.