With sky-high salaries, eye-watering bonuses, and unique career development opportunities, banking is one of the most financially and professionally rewarding sectors in which to launch your career after business school.
While controversies around workplace culture have been prevalent within the sector over the years, finance remains one of the most popular industries for business school students.
A 2024 survey of prospective business school students highlighted the widespread desirability of the finance sector, with 40% of b-school hopefuls listing financial services as their target industry, and a further 39% identifying investment banking and asset management as their top choices.
So which are the best banks to work for and why?
Each year, careers intelligence platform Vault surveys thousands of employees in investment banking to compile a list of the best banks to work for. Each company is given an overall ranking using a weighted formula reflecting the issues job seekers care most about. These factors include prestige, culture, compensation, work-life balance, and training.
Here are Vault’s top 25 banks to work for in 2025.
Best banks to work for: Vault ranking
25. United Bank of Switzerland (UBS)
The United Bank of Switzerland (UBS), one of the world's largest financial firms, enters this year's list despite not appearing in the 2024 ranking. Founded and based in Switzerland, UBS provides financial advice and solutions to private, institutional, and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland.
The firm employs approximately 69,000 people across 50 countries and has dual headquarters in Zurich and Basel. Vaults ranks UBS as the 20th most prestigious banking firm to work for.
24. Allen & Company LLC
Allen & Co. boasts high-profile clients such as Google, Verizon, and Activision and hosts an annual conference attended by individuals such as Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates. All of this contributes to Vault ranking the firm among the top 20 most prestigious banking firms and the top 25 banks to work for overall. Interestingly, Allen & Co. maintains a low profile—it doesn’t even have a website.
23. Rothschild
A storied European bank with more than 200 years of history, Rothschild is most commonly associated with financial advisory services, however it also operates within areas such as investment and corporate banking.
In total, the firm has more than 3,600 employees across offices in multiple continents. Vault ranks Rothschild as the 16th most prestigious banking firm to work for, as well as one of the best banks to work for overall.
22. Barclays Investment Bank (Americas)
A leading Wall Street investment bank and part of the prestigious bulge bracket, Barclays serves 48 million global clients across divisions including retail banking, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and wealth management.
A large multinational, the firm’s research team alone comprises more than 750 research analysts. Vault ranks Barclays as the 15th most prestigious banking firm and the 22nd best bank to work for.
21. Jefferies
Named among Fortune’s ‘Most Admired Companies’, Jefferies is an American multinational investment bank and financial services firm with headquarters in New York, London, and Hong Kong. The firm boasts nearly 4,000 employees.
Jefferies is renowned as one of the most prestigious investment banks, offering above-average compensation and a collegial atmosphere. Vault ranks it as the 14th most prestigious bank, contributing to its overall ranking of 21st in this list.
READ: 10 Best Business Schools For Finance In The USA
©NYU Stern / Facebook
20. Citigroup
Citigroup, commonly known as Citi, is one of the largest and most widely respected financial institutions. Citi is involved in consumer banking, capital markets, advisory services, markets and securities services, private banking, and treasury and trade solutions.
Led by CEO Jane Fraser, the first woman in history to lead a major Wall Street Firm, Citi is deeply devoted to DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) and ESG (environmental, social, governance). The company also places a large emphasis on philanthropy, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to closing the US racial wealth gap and increasing economic mobility. Its initiative, Action for Racial Equity, is expanding access to credit in communities of color, investment in Black-owned businesses, and homeownership among Black Americans.
19. Bank of America Corp.
Among the largest financial institutions around the world, Bank of America Corp. is also one of the most prestigious. The firm has a large suite of services ranging from corporate and investment banking to asset management. In total, its client base numbers 66 million consumers and organizations across the globe.
Vault ranks Bank of America Corp as the 11th most prestigious banking firm and among the top 20 overall. Insiders laud its internship program, which provides strong practical experience and mentorship opportunities for interns. Bank of America Corp is also noted for its diversity efforts, as well as its emphasis on ESG across its practices.
However, by choosing not to participate in this year's banking survey, it is difficult to paint an accurate portrait of the current employee experience at the Bank of America Corp, as reviews are dated from the previous year.
18. Qatalyst Partners
Qatalyst Partners is a global independent investment bank working with tech companies including the likes of Google and LinkedIn to provide specialist strategic advisory and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) services.
The boutique investment bank was founded in 2008 by three former bankers from Credit Suisse and has since gone on to specialize in four key areas: consumer and internet, enterprise software, communications technology, and semiconductors.
In 2025, Qatalyst ranks among the top 10 most prestigious banking firms as well as the 18th best bank to work for worldwide.
17. JP Morgan
JP Morgan is the investment bank of JPMorgan Chase & Co., the world’s largest bank by market capitalization.
Headquartered in New York, JP Morgan is one of Wall Street’s most prestigious investment banks. Vault ranks it the third most prestigious banking firm, while the survey identifies the bank’s strong career development opportunities through training programs, mentorships, and opportunities to move within locations and divisions.
JP Morgan remains consistent in 2025, with Vault ranking it as the 17th best bank to work for, marking a second consecutive year in this position.
16. Goldman Sachs & Co.
Another US institution that’s a global leader in financial services, Vault's ranking finds Goldman Sachs & Co. to be the most prestigious bank to work for after awarding the firm the same accolade in 2024.
Goldman works with clients ranging from individuals to governments and is a leader in investment banking, securities, and investment management services. Though, the firm has been one of the key sources of culture-related controversy in recent years.
While company prestige contributes to it being one of the top banks to work for, survey respondents highlight that Goldman offers significant training to interns and junior staff, as well as very competitive compensation packages.
It has also recently taken great steps with DEI initiatives, with some of those surveyed naming it the most progressive bank on Wall Street: "All people are made to feel welcome, and efforts to attract diversity are highly public and widely encouraged. GS is also immensely philanthropic and encourages employees to use their matching gift benefits. Finally, the firm is extremely environmentally focused. Most cafeteria items are for composting or recycling. Very progressive firm.”
15. Loop Capital Markets
As an investment bank providing services for governmental, corporate, and institutional clients, Loop Capital Markets has 21 offices in the US, with the company headquarters based in Chicago.
Known for its strong DEI credentials and supportive culture, Vault ranks LCM second for diversity in individuals with disabilities and racial and ethnic diversity. It is also ranked within the top three banks for hours and vacation policies.
One survey respondent told Vault: “Loop has a very flat, very democratic culture where merit is acknowledged and respected. People are very collegial and not ‘title obsessed,’ meaning that colleagues’ responsiveness to others is rarely based on their relative rank in the firm—MDs respond to analysts as they would respond to another MD.”
READ: 9 Of The Best MBA Courses For Careers In Finance
©Chicago Booth / Facebook
14. DC Advisory
DC Advisory is a mid-sized global investment bank that focuses on international deals. Its headquarters are in Chicago and the firm operates out of 24 locations across the US, Europe, and Asia.
According to the survey, DC’s credentials lie in its ability to offer a strong work-life balance to employees, including ‘protected Saturdays’ and remote work on Fridays. Insiders highlight its collaborative culture, with interns and junior bankers offered extensive support, responsibility, and growth opportunities.
Vault ranks DC among the top 10 banks for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, while the firm also ranks second for international opportunities.
13. TD Securities
TD Securities is a multinational investment bank headquartered in New York. The firm was known as TD Cowen until 2023, when it was acquired by TD Securities, a deal that significantly increased its US investment banking presence.
With offices in 32 cities worldwide and more than 7,000 employees, TD Securities offers a suite of services, including sales, trading, and equity and credit research. According to insiders, full-time employees have access to a variety of wellness benefits as well as highly structured training and internship programs. The firm has a protected Saturday policy and encourages vacations.
With the acquisition now completed, further expansion and development is on the cards for TD. One employee said: “With the integration with Cowen behind us, TD Securities is now poised to grow and take up market share. We have built out the teams in the key areas of strength and are at a pivotal point where we will be in growth mode for the near future. Our balance sheet strength and commitment from the bank will also be a key differentiator.”
12. William Blair
A boutique investment bank headquartered in Chicago, William Blair provides advisory services in areas including growth and financing to clients who range from entrepreneurs to corporations. The company has around 1,900 total employees.
According to Vault, William Blair interns gain a great deal of practical experience including working on live deals. Senior and junior bankers regularly work together with several mentorship opportunities in place.
The firm is highly encouraging of staff taking all their vacation days, with a mandatory 15 vacation days per year during which a closed laptop policy is enforced. It also offers competitive compensation and benefits, though some employees in this year’s survey noted that bonuses have been low for the past two years.
Across the entire ranking, Vault lists William Blair as the second-best bank for vacation policies and among the top 10 for ESG practices, internal mobility, and formal training.
11. Houlihan Lokey
Investment bank Houlihan Lokey, an M&A specialist which predominantly works with mid-sized clients, has made an impressive jump from 25th to 11th place in this year's ranking. The firm is home to more than 2,600 employees.
The Vault survey reveals company interns get strong training opportunities and experience, while full-time bankers can tailor their own paths and benefit from a flexible culture that includes an unlimited vacation policy.
Some respondents say the firm lacks diversity, though efforts have been made to recruit more women: “I have seen efforts to improve women in banking, including dedicated programming and actual results.”
10. Harris Williams
Virginia-based investment bank, Harris Williams, specializes in advising clients on M&A activity. With offices located across the US as well as in London and Frankfurt, Harris Williams works on growth opportunities with a range of global clients.
According to Vault, Harris Williams interns gain early live-deal experience while the firm also has strong DEI credentials. It ranks as the second-best bank for client interaction, according to Vault. Harris Williams also leads the list for diversity for military veterans.
Insiders at the firm highlight the requirement for long hours, one employee told Vault: “It can be challenging working late almost every night. I have worked every day for months on end (including weekends), with the exception of one protected weekend. Protected time is scarce: one week per year (seven days) and only one weekend per quarter. They’re not super receptive to feedback about the request of more time off for junior bankers.”
READ: MBA Finance | Where Can It Take You?
©The Wharton School / Facebook
9. Greenhill & Co.
Founded by a former Morgan Stanley president, Greenhill & Co. is a relatively small investment bank employing around 360 people. It operates across the globe, with offices ranging from Hong Kong to Stockholm, and specializes in M&A and capital raising.
Vault ranks Greenhill as a top 10 bank for work-life balance, culture, and international opportunities. Respondents say the firm has a strong culture with little expectation to work late, during vacations, or at weekends.
A Greenhill employee told Vault: “Culture is quite pleasant, collaborative, and friendly, and there’s not much of a ‘face time’ culture. As long as you’re performing well and getting your work done, you have a great deal of freedom.”
8. Guggenheim Securities
Guggenheim Partners is a financial institution with more than 2,400 worldwide employees. Guggenheim Securities is the firm’s investment banking arm, which provides advisory services to a range of high-profile clients including Blackstone, Thomson Reuters, Pfizer, Paramount, and IBM.
Vault ranks Guggenheim as a top three bank for compensation, and formal training—all of which contribute to its position as one of the 10 best banks to work for in 2025.
Survey respondents also reveal that, while work-life balance at the firm can be challenging, it offers a generous compensation and benefits scheme, and the company is increasingly focused on DEI.
7. Morgan Stanley
A giant on Wall Street and one of the world's most respected investment banks, Morgan Stanley is ranked as the fifth most prestigious bank by Vault.
The firm has more than 80,000 employees working across three core divisions: wealth management, investment management, and institutional securities. With such a strong reputation, Morgan Stanley regularly works on some of the most high-profile deals in the industry.
While the seventh best bank to work for overall, Vault also ranks Morgan Stanley among the top 10 banking firms for vacation policies and internal mobility.
Insiders highlight the firm’s growing DEI movements as well as a largely positive culture with hybrid working present across several divisions. As with all of the top investment banks, hours can be long and fast-paced.
One employee taking part in the survey told Vault: “The team is generally very accommodating on honoring personal commitments and protecting personal life. However, it is exceptionally difficult to ever disconnect. I personally have canceled vacations each of the past few years, so now only schedule in the few windows where things are slowest (and even then, it’s prone to interruption).”
6. Lazard
A renowned specialist in M&A, Lazard is among the most prestigious investment banking firms. It has more than 40 offices across the globe with over 3,200 employees and two core divisions: asset management and asset advisory.
Insiders hail the Lazard internship program, which offers direct access to clients, senior bankers, and even executives. The firm offers flexibility, with an optional hybrid work schedule and staff can spend one month working from anywhere in the world each year. Compensation packages at Lazard are among the strongest on Wall Street, and the benefits on offer are also very competitive.
In the 2025 Vault ranking, Lazard maintains its first-place ranking in international opportunities for another year, while also securing a spot among the top five banks for work-life balance, benefits, and informal training.
“The hybrid work policy is fantastic—it’s in touch with today’s world, it increases quality of life, and it’s a real competitive advantage for recruiting and retaining talent. Vacation usage is largely dependent on group and live client work, but the firm overall has a culture of respecting and honoring PTO. Most groups at the firm honor the remote month and protected weekends policies” one insider told Vault.
5. Perella Weinberg
Another independent investment bank, Perella Weinberg, which operates in areas including M&A, capital markets, and growth capital, has witnessed substantial improvement in the ranking this year, moving from eighth to fifth place. Founded in 2006, the firm now houses around 700 employees with headquarters in New York and other offices spanning the US and Europe.
Vault ranks Perella Weinberg among the top five firms for both firm leadership and benefits. It also ranks among the best for internal mobility.
Survey respondents highlight the bank's strong recent DEI recruitment, positive and collaborative culture, and openness to feedback and mentorship. As a relatively small bank, it’s no surprise that Perella Weinberg places a lot of focus on hiring people who fit within its culture.
4. PJT Partners
Independent investment bank, PJT Partners, which moves up three spaces in this year's ranking, has offices across the US and key European locations such as London, Paris, and Frankfurt. It has one of the best-known M&A divisions on Wall Street.
Survey respondents highlight the strength of PJT’s internship program, while junior bankers also reportedly get strong development opportunities and mentorship. Though hours can be extensive, PJT prioritizes wellness and is taking steps to ensure a healthy work-life balance, including offering a handful of remote working periods throughout the year, report insiders. It also offers above-industry-standard compensation.
As well as being one of the world’s best banks to work for, PJT is among the top five banks when it comes to its hiring process, according to Vault. It also places fourth for ESG practices, an improvement of two positions compared with the 2024 Vault ranking.
Best banks to work for | Top 3
3. Moelis & Company
Moelis & Company employs around 1,200 people with offices across the globe. It offers financial advisory services to a host of clients that includes governments and leading corporations.
Employees say the bank offers strong career development opportunities to juniors and interns receive significant responsibility. The firm also offers above-average compensation packages and several work-life balance and wellness initiatives.
With networking groups specifically allocated to minorities, along with an internal pride program and a diversity day scheme—where each employee is allocated one paid day annually to devote to diversity—Moelis & Company demonstrates a clear commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. The firm ranks fourth for overall diversity, as well as in LGBTQ+ diversity and racial and ethnic diversity.
“My favorite aspect of our firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts is that they feel genuine and not tokenistic. It is not simply a hiring of minority status individuals to satisfy a quota,” said one employee.
Vault ranks Moelis & Company as the third-best bank to work for overall, and the second-best company for quality of work and work-life balance.
2. Evercore
Evercore is an elite investment bank offering financial advisory services to a wealth of high-profile clients including the likes of AstraZeneca and Refinitiv. Core areas for the bank include M&A, public offerings, sales and trading, and financing.
Evercore has around 2,200 employees worldwide. Survey respondents highlight the firm’s internship program as being among the best, with interns receiving access to senior bankers, a strong mentorship program, and networking opportunities. The firm also offers extensive career support for junior bankers using an apprenticeship model that focuses on the development and teaching of the next generation of Evercore bankers.
Vault ranks Evercore top for formal training. It also lists the firm in second place for a remarkable nine workplace categories, including firm leadership, internal mobility, and hours. However, the bank experienced a slight drop in the ranking for diversity for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, moving from first to second place in 2025. Insider statements expressing the lack of women at senior levels likely accounted for this change.
Evercore employees typically work long hours due to the firm’s constant deal-making, but the company recognizes the importance of work-life balance offering a diverse range of family benefits as well as strong compensation packages. Some do, however, feel that the 401(k) match needs some improvement.
1. Centerview Partners
Centerview Parters is the best bank to work for in 2025, according to Vault. The firm is one of the most prestigious M&A specialists around and works with many of the world’s largest companies. It houses offices in locations including New York, London, Paris, and San Francisco.
Industry insiders say Centerview interns gain a great deal of early responsibility and extensive in-house training There are also substantial development opportunities for juniors, who are encouraged to take on large amounts of responsibility during the foundational phase of their careers.
The bank offers a whole host of top-tier benefits including an in-office chef, barista, and gym, free breakfast and lunch, free Ubers, firm-sponsored athletic teams, and a range of wellness initiatives. However, Centerview bankers are required to be in the office every day.
Compensation at the firm has been top for some time, and its increasing focus on DEI—particularly at the junior level—has led to its first-place ranking in five out of six diversity categories, including LGBTQ+ diversity and diversity for women. Work-life balance can be a challenge with long hours often necessary, though employees say management values their time.
“People at Centerview care about maintaining a work/life balance. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my quality of life here. As long as I communicate, I can usually make important plans. Managers do a great job letting their junior teams have free time. Additionally, there are great perks to the job, and I enjoy being in the office since the people are great. The nature of the job is of course long and unpredictable hours, so it can be hard at times, but that’s central to a client-facing job, and the culture and perks offset the negatives," one employee told Vault.
As well as being the best bank to work for in 2025, Centerview Partners ranks as the best firm for quality of work, business outlook, and benefits.
The banks featured in the Vault ranking for 2025 remain largely the same as in previous years, with only slight re-ordering including Houlihan Lokey's impressive jump from 25th to 11th position. UBS was the only bank to re-enter the rankings, while Solomon Partners was the only bank to lose its place altogether.
