Wall Street is bracing for a hiring surge unlike any they’ve seen in recent years. After a sluggish deal market and widespread talent stagnation, commercial banks are suddenly racing to staff up and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest recruiting years in recent memory. 

At a Goldman Sachs conference in December, John Weinberg, CEO of Evercore, didn’t mince words. “If you could see my schedule, you’d see that virtually every day I am speaking with and recruiting new talent,” he said.  

The Perfect Storm Behind the Hiring Boom 

Three trends are driving the surge: 

1. Renewed optimism around M&A activity fueled by potential interest rate cuts and support from the Trump administration. 
2. Private equity firms itching to deploy capital after a dry spell. 
3. Anticipated rebound in IPOs, with projections putting US volumes around $50 billion in 2025, a 20% jump from last year. 

Add to that the usual post-bonus musical chairs and grumblings about underwhelming compensation packages, and you’ve got a recipe for movement at all levels. 

Where the Action Is 

TMT (technology, media, and telecom) is the hottest sector right now. These teams are staffing up fast as tech companies prepare for a fresh wave of deals. AI, crypto, and digital assets are drawing attention too. Recruiters report intense demand for bankers who understand these verticals and can position teams for a year of complex transactions. 

Healthcare, restructuring, consumer retail, and financial institutions are also hot hiring areas, especially for bankers with strong track records and sector-specific experience.  

Boutique Banks Are Poaching Top Talent 

Firms like Union Square Advisors and Houlihan Lokey are moving fast to deepen their benches. 

Union Square recently brought on a string of experienced dealmakers, including senior talent from JPMorgan and Bank of America. Houlihan Lokey, long known for its restructuring dominance, has been steadily expanding its tech coverage, especially in software and fintech. 

Meanwhile, Barclays continues to build out its tech and healthcare investment banking groups, hiring from competitors like Morgan Stanley and Bank of America to lead their coverage. 

Juniors and Midlevels Are in High Demand 

The last hiring frenzy in 2021 left many firms under-resourced. That memory is fresh, and no one wants to repeat it. Banks are already recruiting junior talent aggressively, with open roles across analyst and associate levels. 

Goldman Sachs posted a dozen junior banker openings across New York, San Francisco, and London. JPMorgan has been hiring off-cycle since the fall. 

But it’s the midlevel bankers, associates and VPs, who are in especially short supply. These deal execution pros are critical to keeping deals moving, and recruiters say they’re getting harder to find by the day. 

Anyone who has closed a couple of deals and can manage or train junior staff is incredibly valuable right now.  

Commercial Banks Want Quality Over Quantity 

While 2021’s boom created a hiring frenzy, many banks ended up with mismatched talent and regretful offers. This time around, firms are being more selective. 

In 2021, it was about horsepower. Now, it’s about precision. Banks are prioritizing strong closers and cultural fit. Nobody wants a repeat of hiring fast just to fill seats. 

What It Means for Candidates and Hiring Managers 

If you’re a banker with deal experience, especially in hot sectors like tech, healthcare, or restructuring, your phone is probably ringing. If it’s not, it soon will be. 

For hiring managers, now is the time to move fast and make competitive offers. Top candidates aren’t sitting on the market for long, and many are fielding multiple offers. 

The Anderson Search Group is already seeing increased demand from commercial and investment banks looking to hire across all levels, from analysts to managing directors. 

We’re connecting institutions with dealmakers who not only bring transaction experience but also leadership and mentorship skills that are essential in today’s deal environment. Let’s chat.