Bankers dying too young

 

The untimely deaths of several young investment bankers have cast a harsh light on the extreme demands of the industry. A 21‑year‑old Bank of America analyst reportedly went three days without sleep before his passing, while 22‑year‑old Goldman Sachs TMT analyst Sarvshreshth Gupta’s death was later ruled a suicide after an intense period of overwork. In May 2015, 29‑year‑old Moelis & Co. associate Thomas Hughes was found dead outside his New York apartment.

These tragedies underscore a troubling pattern: long hours, relentless pressure and a culture that rewards sacrifice at the expense of well‑being. When sleep deprivation and stress become badges of honor, the consequences can be fatal. Investment banks must reckon with the human cost of their business model and commit to supporting the mental and physical health of their employees.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the pressures of work or feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to a mental health professional or support line. No job is worth sacrificing your life.

A Tragic Wake-Up Call: Leo Lukenas III

 
Leo Lukenas III, 35—a former U.S. Army Green Beret and Bank of America associate—died on May 2, 2024 from an acute coronary artery thrombus. Reuters In the weeks before his passing, he told a recruiter he was working 100-hour weeks and was seeking to leave for a role with better hours. Yahoo Finance He had been staffed on a $2 billion bank-merger assignment at the time, intensifying scrutiny of Wall Street’s expectations for juniors. FNLondon In the aftermath, large banks announced changes: JPMorgan outlined an 80-hour weekly guideline for junior bankers and Bank of America moved to daily hour-logging to increase oversight—steps meant to curb extreme workloads. The Wall Street Journal Axios Bank of America also folded its FinTech investment-banking team into its Technology group, a broader reorganization that removed FinTech from FIG oversight.

And some older bankers

 
Jimmy Lee Vice Chairman of JPMorgan dies at (62): 


Paul Calello (49): Chairman of Credit Suisse dies from non-hodgkin's lymphoma 

ZeroHedge keeps a track of on-going banker deaths (36 deaths in 2014)


Many of the deaths on the ZeroHedge list are suicide, and there is without a doubt a strong correlation between unhealthy living and proper brain and decision-making capabilities. 

If the stressful times are not managed well this can, unfortunately, result in the decision to take one's own life.

Why Are So Many Bankers Committing Suicide? By ZeroHedge

 
As a banking analyst or entry level finance professional, you are more valuable then you realize you are. You are often the engine of the bank, without you, the deal flow would stop - no content create = no deal. All those PowerPoint decks are really the only tangible output from investment bankers. Always keep this in mind as you request the appropriate work-life balance and the appropriately staffed deal teams.

WSJ article about health and banking- Yes, there is an inverse correlation.

Science-Backed Strategies to Survive Long Investment Banking Hours

 

Science-Backed Strategies to Survive Long Investment Banking Hours

Pulling an all-nighter in investment banking isn’t a rite of passage—it’s a physical and mental stress test. Extended work hours and chronic sleep deprivation have been linked to impaired decision-making, burnout, and long-term health issues. If you’re facing one of those inevitable late nights, the goal is simple: protect your performance and your health while showing your team you can deliver under pressure.

1. Make your hours visible.
When banker burnout sets in, part of the problem is that no one sees the grind. If you’re working late or overnight, send a short, professional update before you finally log off—“Deck attached—will review feedback first thing in the morning.” This creates an email time-stamp showing when you wrapped, demonstrates accountability, and communicates progress without drama. Attaching a draft also signals that you care about quality and want input, even if no one replies.

2. Push back on impossible timelines—strategically.
Managing stress at work often means managing expectations. The best bankers know how to protect their time without looking like they’re avoiding work. If a request would keep you in the office until sunrise, flag it early and propose a realistic alternative. This not only helps you avoid unnecessary all-nighters, it shows you understand the scope of work, value accuracy, and think like a project leader, not just an executor.

3. Use performance-based health hacks.
All-nighter survival isn’t about sheer willpower—it’s about smart, science-backed choices. Stay hydrated, limit caffeine to the early part of the night to avoid wrecking your sleep cycle, and skip sugary snacks that cause crashes. Opt for protein and healthy fats to keep energy stable. Get up and move every hour to improve circulation and keep your mind alert.

4. Plan your recovery.
Working late doesn’t end when the deadline passes. Schedule a recovery window—whether that’s a late start the next day, a proper lunch break, or an early night. Your brain and body need this downtime to reset, and it will make your next round of work sharper and faster.

Investment banking hours are demanding, but they don’t have to destroy your health. By managing stress strategically, communicating effectively, and protecting your body like it’s part of your job (because it is), you can survive the late nights—and still perform at your bes