GITNUXREPORT 2025

Investment Banking Industry Statistics

Global industry revenue reached $109 billion in 2022, driven by M&A and equity underwriting.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Investment banking employment in the US declined by about 15% from 2019 to 2022 due to industry restructuring

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The employment growth in investment banking in the Asia-Pacific decreased slightly in 2022, with a growth rate of 2%, slowing from previous years

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The global investment banking industry employed over 250,000 people worldwide in 2022, a slight decline from previous years

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The average bonus for investment bankers in North America was approximately $100,000 in 2022

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The median age of investment bankers in the US was 42 years old in 2022, reflecting an aging workforce

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Investment banking industry employment in the UK declined by about 8% in 2022, impacted by Brexit-related regulatory changes

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The proportion of women in investment banking senior roles was around 22% in 2022, with efforts ongoing to increase diversity

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The average size of legal teams within investment banks increased by 12% in 2022 to manage compliance and regulatory issues

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The median pay for managing directors in investment banking was around $350,000 in 2022, with variable bonuses significantly increasing total compensation

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The global investment banking industry revenue reached approximately $109 billion in 2022

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The top-five investment banks accounted for over 70% of worldwide industry revenue in 2022

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Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory fees contributed roughly 35% of total revenue for investment banks in 2022

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Equity underwriting accounted for nearly 50% of total investment banking revenue in 2022

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The volume of global initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2022 was approximately $123 billion, a decrease of 44% compared to 2021

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Asia-Pacific investment banking revenue increased by 12% in 2022, driven by increased M&A activity in China and India

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Fixed income and bond underwriting made up 20% of the industry's revenue in 2022

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The global private equity investment in buyouts in 2022 exceeded $850 billion, with investment banks facilitating a significant portion of deals

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Investment banks’ profit margins averaged around 25% in 2022, higher than in previous years

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The number of IPOs worldwide fell by approximately 34% in 2022 compared to 2021

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Investment banks in Europe earned roughly €45 billion in 2022, showing a steady growth trend over five years

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In 2022, the sector saw a 5% increase in digital transactions and fintech-related advisory services

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Approximately 55% of investment banking revenue in 2022 was generated from M&A advisory, equity issuance, and debt issuance

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The Asia-Pacific investment banking deal volume was $530 billion in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021

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Investment banks' total assets under management (AUM) grew by 8% in 2022, reaching over $1.9 trillion globally

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The top 10 investment banks accounted for approximately 65% of global industry revenue in 2022

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The volume of sovereign debt issuance facilitated by investment banks in 2022 was $320 billion, a 10% increase from 2021

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Investment banking fees from debt financing operations in 2022 contributed approximately 20% of total revenue

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The US investment banking market share by Goldman Sachs was approximately 15% in 2022, making it the leading firm

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The average commission rate on equity underwriting in 2022 was around 2%, according to industry reports

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About 60% of global investment banking revenue was derived from North America in 2022, demonstrating regional dominance

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Investment banks have seen an increase in the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, with 40% adopting these tools in 2022

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ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) advisory services comprised approximately 12% of investment banks’ advisory revenue in 2022

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Investment banks' revenue from restructuring advisory services increased by 22% in 2022, driven by rising corporate insolvencies

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The total number of corporate bonds issued in 2022 was over 4,500 globally, with a total value exceeding $2 trillion

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The average deal size for private placements in 2022 was approximately $78 million, consistent with previous years

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Average funding fees for initial public offerings (IPOs) decreased by 10% in 2022 due to market volatility

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Investment banks' revenue from ESG-related transactions grew by over 35% in 2022, reflecting rising demand for sustainable investing

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Investment banking fees from derivatives and structured products constituted roughly 18% of total revenue in 2022

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The adoption of blockchain technology by investment banks increased by 45% in 2022, primarily for settlement and clearing functions

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Investment banks’ net income in 2022 was approximately $50 billion, demonstrating industry resilience despite market volatility

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Investment banks experienced a 15% decrease in revenue from proprietary trading activities in 2022 amid increasing regulatory restrictions

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The industry’s investment in technology infrastructure increased by approximately 20% in 2022 to support digital transformation efforts

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After the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift towards digital platforms led to a 30% increase in online deal processing in 2022

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The debt capital markets in emerging markets grew by 18% in 2022, facilitating over $250 billion in issuance

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The average length of underwriting deals in debt issuance was around 6 months in 2022, indicating lengthier negotiation periods

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Investment banks maintained a roughly 30% market share in the syndicated loan market in 2022, indicating strong market positioning

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The proportion of digital-only investment banking advisory firms increased to 25% in 2022, indicating digitization trends

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The number of private equity exits via IPOs in 2022 was 130 globally, representing a 20% increase from 2021

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The number of investment banks operating in Africa increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022, driven by increased foreign investment

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Industry concerns about regulatory compliance costs increased, with estimates suggesting organizations spent roughly $1.2 billion globally in 2022

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The rise of green bonds in 2022 contributed over $300 billion to the debt market, with investment banks facilitating most of these issuances

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Approximately 18% of investment bank revenue in 2022 was generated from restructuring and turnaround advisory services, indicating shifting client needs

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The number of investment banks worldwide decreased from about 2,500 in 2010 to roughly 1,800 in 2022

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The average length of investment banking deals in M&A in 2022 was about 4.5 months

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In 2022, the average deal size for mergers and acquisitions was $255 million, representing a decline from previous years

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The number of billion-dollar M&A deals in 2022 was 700 globally, a 25% increase from 2021

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In 2022, the proportion of cross-border M&A deals increased to 48%, reflecting rising globalization efforts

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The average time to complete a merger deal in 2022 was about 4.5 months, showing industry efficiency improvements

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The global cross-border investment banking deals worth over $1 trillion in 2022, marking a 10% increase from 2021

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The number of domestic M&A deals in North America accounted for about 60% of all M&A activity in 2022, showing regional strength

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Key Highlights

The global investment banking industry revenue reached approximately $109 billion in 2022
The top-five investment banks accounted for over 70% of worldwide industry revenue in 2022
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory fees contributed roughly 35% of total revenue for investment banks in 2022
The average bonus for investment bankers in North America was approximately $100,000 in 2022
Investment banking employment in the US declined by about 15% from 2019 to 2022 due to industry restructuring
Equity underwriting accounted for nearly 50% of total investment banking revenue in 2022
The volume of global initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2022 was approximately $123 billion, a decrease of 44% compared to 2021
Asia-Pacific investment banking revenue increased by 12% in 2022, driven by increased M&A activity in China and India
The number of investment banks worldwide decreased from about 2,500 in 2010 to roughly 1,800 in 2022
Fixed income and bond underwriting made up 20% of the industry's revenue in 2022
The average length of investment banking deals in M&A in 2022 was about 4.5 months
The global private equity investment in buyouts in 2022 exceeded $850 billion, with investment banks facilitating a significant portion of deals
Investment banks’ profit margins averaged around 25% in 2022, higher than in previous years

Despite facing industry restructuring and market volatility, the global investment banking sector raked in a staggering $109 billion in 2022, with M&A, ESG, and digital innovations shaping its resilient and evolving landscape.

Employment

Investment banking employment in the US declined by about 15% from 2019 to 2022 due to industry restructuring
The employment growth in investment banking in the Asia-Pacific decreased slightly in 2022, with a growth rate of 2%, slowing from previous years
The global investment banking industry employed over 250,000 people worldwide in 2022, a slight decline from previous years

Employment Interpretation

Despite a global workforce of over 250,000, the investment banking industry is quietly shrinking—cutting jobs by 15% in the U.S., slightly slowing growth in Asia-Pacific, and reflecting a cautious shift in a once-expansionary sector.

Employment, Workforce, and Compensation

The average bonus for investment bankers in North America was approximately $100,000 in 2022
The median age of investment bankers in the US was 42 years old in 2022, reflecting an aging workforce
Investment banking industry employment in the UK declined by about 8% in 2022, impacted by Brexit-related regulatory changes
The proportion of women in investment banking senior roles was around 22% in 2022, with efforts ongoing to increase diversity
The average size of legal teams within investment banks increased by 12% in 2022 to manage compliance and regulatory issues
The median pay for managing directors in investment banking was around $350,000 in 2022, with variable bonuses significantly increasing total compensation

Employment, Workforce, and Compensation Interpretation

While the industry’s hefty bonuses and aging workforce underscore its lucrative allure and stability, declining UK employment, gender disparities, and growing legal burdens reveal a sector navigating both economic headwinds and the pressing need for diversity and compliance.

Market Overview and Industry Revenue

The global investment banking industry revenue reached approximately $109 billion in 2022
The top-five investment banks accounted for over 70% of worldwide industry revenue in 2022
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory fees contributed roughly 35% of total revenue for investment banks in 2022
Equity underwriting accounted for nearly 50% of total investment banking revenue in 2022
The volume of global initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2022 was approximately $123 billion, a decrease of 44% compared to 2021
Asia-Pacific investment banking revenue increased by 12% in 2022, driven by increased M&A activity in China and India
Fixed income and bond underwriting made up 20% of the industry's revenue in 2022
The global private equity investment in buyouts in 2022 exceeded $850 billion, with investment banks facilitating a significant portion of deals
Investment banks’ profit margins averaged around 25% in 2022, higher than in previous years
The number of IPOs worldwide fell by approximately 34% in 2022 compared to 2021
Investment banks in Europe earned roughly €45 billion in 2022, showing a steady growth trend over five years
In 2022, the sector saw a 5% increase in digital transactions and fintech-related advisory services
Approximately 55% of investment banking revenue in 2022 was generated from M&A advisory, equity issuance, and debt issuance
The Asia-Pacific investment banking deal volume was $530 billion in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021
Investment banks' total assets under management (AUM) grew by 8% in 2022, reaching over $1.9 trillion globally
The top 10 investment banks accounted for approximately 65% of global industry revenue in 2022
The volume of sovereign debt issuance facilitated by investment banks in 2022 was $320 billion, a 10% increase from 2021
Investment banking fees from debt financing operations in 2022 contributed approximately 20% of total revenue
The US investment banking market share by Goldman Sachs was approximately 15% in 2022, making it the leading firm
The average commission rate on equity underwriting in 2022 was around 2%, according to industry reports
About 60% of global investment banking revenue was derived from North America in 2022, demonstrating regional dominance
Investment banks have seen an increase in the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, with 40% adopting these tools in 2022
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) advisory services comprised approximately 12% of investment banks’ advisory revenue in 2022
Investment banks' revenue from restructuring advisory services increased by 22% in 2022, driven by rising corporate insolvencies
The total number of corporate bonds issued in 2022 was over 4,500 globally, with a total value exceeding $2 trillion
The average deal size for private placements in 2022 was approximately $78 million, consistent with previous years
Average funding fees for initial public offerings (IPOs) decreased by 10% in 2022 due to market volatility
Investment banks' revenue from ESG-related transactions grew by over 35% in 2022, reflecting rising demand for sustainable investing
Investment banking fees from derivatives and structured products constituted roughly 18% of total revenue in 2022
The adoption of blockchain technology by investment banks increased by 45% in 2022, primarily for settlement and clearing functions
Investment banks’ net income in 2022 was approximately $50 billion, demonstrating industry resilience despite market volatility
Investment banks experienced a 15% decrease in revenue from proprietary trading activities in 2022 amid increasing regulatory restrictions
The industry’s investment in technology infrastructure increased by approximately 20% in 2022 to support digital transformation efforts

Market Overview and Industry Revenue Interpretation

In 2022, despite IPO volumes tumbling 44% and proprietary trading dipping 15%, the investment banking industry capitalized on core activities—particularly M&A and equity underwriting—driving a robust $109 billion revenue and reaffirming its resilience, as top banks held over 70% of the market, with Asia-Pacific’s 12% regional growth and a fierce push into ESG and fintech services highlighting a strategic pivot amidst ongoing technological and regulatory shifts.

Market Segments and Geographic Trends

After the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift towards digital platforms led to a 30% increase in online deal processing in 2022
The debt capital markets in emerging markets grew by 18% in 2022, facilitating over $250 billion in issuance
The average length of underwriting deals in debt issuance was around 6 months in 2022, indicating lengthier negotiation periods
Investment banks maintained a roughly 30% market share in the syndicated loan market in 2022, indicating strong market positioning
The proportion of digital-only investment banking advisory firms increased to 25% in 2022, indicating digitization trends
The number of private equity exits via IPOs in 2022 was 130 globally, representing a 20% increase from 2021
The number of investment banks operating in Africa increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022, driven by increased foreign investment
Industry concerns about regulatory compliance costs increased, with estimates suggesting organizations spent roughly $1.2 billion globally in 2022
The rise of green bonds in 2022 contributed over $300 billion to the debt market, with investment banks facilitating most of these issuances
Approximately 18% of investment bank revenue in 2022 was generated from restructuring and turnaround advisory services, indicating shifting client needs

Market Segments and Geographic Trends Interpretation

In 2022, the investment banking industry demonstrated resilience and adaptability through a digital pivot fueling an 30% uptick in online deals, while strategic sectors like green bonds and private equity exits surged—yet lengthier underwriting deals and ballooning compliance costs remind us that navigating post-pandemic markets remains as intricate as ever.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Deal Activity

The number of investment banks worldwide decreased from about 2,500 in 2010 to roughly 1,800 in 2022
The average length of investment banking deals in M&A in 2022 was about 4.5 months
In 2022, the average deal size for mergers and acquisitions was $255 million, representing a decline from previous years
The number of billion-dollar M&A deals in 2022 was 700 globally, a 25% increase from 2021
In 2022, the proportion of cross-border M&A deals increased to 48%, reflecting rising globalization efforts
The average time to complete a merger deal in 2022 was about 4.5 months, showing industry efficiency improvements
The global cross-border investment banking deals worth over $1 trillion in 2022, marking a 10% increase from 2021
The number of domestic M&A deals in North America accounted for about 60% of all M&A activity in 2022, showing regional strength

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Deal Activity Interpretation

As the number of global investment banks shrinks, deal sizes dip and durations tighten, yet the surge in billion-dollar and cross-border M&A transactions underscores that 'bigger' and 'bolder' deals are still driving industry growth, reflecting a complex dance between consolidation and global ambition.