I just got an internship offer from HSBC for their Corporate & Institutional Banking division in Manhattan for summer 2026. I’m trying to figure out if this is worth taking or if I should keep looking for other opportunities.
Here’s what they’re offering:
• Hourly rate of $48.07
• Housing allowance of $2,000
• Manhattan location
• 401k benefits
• 10 weeks total
• Work involves client coverage and some deal work
I’m studying Economics and Finance as a junior and really want to get into investment banking or maybe private equity later. I also have an interview lined up with Graham Partners (a PE firm) but I’m not sure if that will work out. Plus HSBC wants an answer in about a week.
I’m wondering a few things:
Does this type of role help with getting into investment banking later or for MBA applications?
Will this experience at HSBC help me get interviews at better firms or PE companies?
Should I take the guaranteed offer or wait to see what happens with the PE interview?
If anyone has experience with corporate banking, recruiting, or private equity I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
Take the HSBC offer! Corporate banking gives you solid foundational skills that’ll help with IB recruiting later. You can always interview at other places while you’ve got this locked down. Plus, Manhattan experience is gold.
HSBC’s corporate banking division has way better exit opps than people think. Their summer analysts regularly land full-time offers at elite boutiques and BB IB roles. You’ll get solid deal exposure - M&A advisory, debt structuring, capital markets work that translates directly to IB interviews. Corporate banking interns have 60-70% success rates recruiting for IB the next year, versus 15-20% for people without relevant experience. The $48.07/hour works out to ~$96k annualized, which is competitive for non-IB. With Graham Partners’ uncertain timeline and HSBC’s one-week deadline, I’d accept for the security while keeping your recruiting going for next cycle.
honestly, hsbc isn’t top tier but corporate banking experience still looks decent on your resume. $48/hr plus housing is solid for an internship. i’d take it - pe is crazy competitive and graham partners isn’t guaranteed. you can network while you’re there and try moving to ibd internally later.
I’ve worked in both corporate banking and PE recruiting, so here’s my take: that one-week HSBC deadline is actually not a bad thing. Corporate banking at HSBC will give you solid experience in credit analysis, industry research, and client relationships - all stuff that translates directly to IB and PE work. The comp package you mentioned is pretty competitive, especially with that housing allowance in Manhattan. Here’s what people miss: you’ll often work with senior bankers on deal origination, which gives you real insight into how deals get sourced. That’s gold for PE recruiting later. Don’t think of this as settling - it’s strategic positioning. You’ll build quantitative skills, learn industries inside and out, and make connections while keeping your options open for future recruiting cycles. Graham Partners is still a question mark, and passing up a sure thing for a maybe rarely works out in finance recruiting.
Dude, I was in the same spot last year and took a corp banking role at another BB. Best decision I made. The client exposure is massive - way more than most IB interns get their first summer. I’ve leveraged those relationships and deal flow knowledge hard during recruiting this cycle. Money’s solid too, especially with that Manhattan housing stipend (you’ll definitely need it lol). Graham Partners sounds cool but bird in the hand, right? Crush it at HSBC and use that momentum for better opportunities next year.
lol everyone’s hyping HSBC like it’s Goldman… it’s just relationship management with basic modeling. Pay’s solid but don’t expect real IB work - you’ll update PowerPoints and sit through client calls. Still beats unemployment though, and PE recruiting’s a nightmare so take the safe option.
I recommend accepting the HSBC internship while still pursuing the opportunity with Graham Partners. This position in corporate banking offers valuable exposure to financial analysis, client interactions, and deal structuring—all essential skills for a future in investment banking. The competitive hourly rate and housing allowance add to the appeal, especially considering the networking potential in Manhattan.
Although you’re considering your long-term goals, corporate banking can serve as a solid stepping stone into investment banking, particularly since HSBC’s structure allows for lateral moves within different divisions. Moreover, experience in client coverage is especially attractive for MBA applications. Keep in mind, you have a week to decide, and with no assurances from the PE interview, securing the HSBC role first is a wise move. It demonstrates your capability in finance, which is often recognized by recruiters across the industry.