LA Banker Commits Suicide

A tragic event has gone largely unreported: the death by suicide of Ben Lee on April 26, an investment banking analyst at Intrepid’s Los Angeles office. Online searches return no official statements, only a broken link to Ben Lee's profile on the company website.

We won’t speculate on personal circumstances, but the broader conditions facing junior investment bankers remain a critical issue across the industry.

According to multiple reports Intrepid LA reportedly has some of the harshest working conditions on Wall Street. But these conditions aren’t unique to one firm, they reflect a structural problem that continues to push young professionals to the edge.

In the past year alone, three banker deaths have brought renewed scrutiny to working conditions across Wall Street. While some firms have taken steps to improve junior banker well-being, there is still much more to be done to protect the mental and physical health of analysts.

There has been no public acknowledgment of Ben’s passing by the firm. While we won’t speculate on that decision, silence—even when well-intentioned—can prevent the conversations that lead to real change.

We share this story to honor Ben’s memory and to raise awareness about the urgent need for meaningful change in how the industry supports its junior talent.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988, free, confidential, and available 24/7.

If you want to share your experience or speak up about working conditions at your firm, you can do so anonymously here.