Open Question: Is this a bad time to jump back into the corporate banking market? (Th

[Administrator]

Economies are cyclical and so it goes with corporate banking, just the way it does with other industries. Because of the housing bubble, the mortgage crisis, the credit crunch, and other ugly things happening in our US economy, it would appear that banks (or at least SOME banks) are having a very tough time and have been cutting back on jobs.But my having lived through more than one economic cycle as a corporate banker, I know things do eventually bounce back although the regularity with which banks recover may be less predictable with the history-setting challenges of this current crisis.I am also aware of the Contrarian philosophy...that when things are looking bad and the herd looks like it's heading over a cliff, that may be the precise time to be bold, jump in, and swim upstream because opportunities may be abounding. For example, now may be a great time to pick up some real estate deals with prices so depressed at present.So I am asking responders who have a particular inside perspective on the corporate banking market, whether this would be a good time for a seasoned corporate banker to get back in the market because there are real opportunities in key places. Or whether the whole damn thing is just a big stinking mess to be avoided at all costs because the economy and the job market sucks. I have an alternate career hat I am wearing right now but I am not adverse to jumping back into my old haunts...if the time is right and the money is there.What can you tell me? I'm looking for answers from those in the real know, and not just pot shots from arm-chair consumer would-be economists who watch the news occasionally but who don't really know this specific market which is corporate (not retail) banking.And if you are in the know, which Commercial or Investment Banks do you like / think are healthy right now or have a particular need to be filled?

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