Bank of America is facing increasing scrutiny over its work culture, which has left junior bankers exhausted and vulnerable to health risks. The recent death of 35-year-old associate Leo Lukenas, who worked over 100-hour weeks for a month, has sparked public outcry. Lukenas died from a blood clot after working on a $2 billion acquisition deal. According to the Wall Street Journal, the tragedy mirrors a 2013 incident in which a London intern at the bank died after excessive work hours.

Despite the bank's policies to limit working hours, many junior bankers report that their superiors routinely instruct them to ignore these rules. Some have even been told not to log all their hours to avoid raising red flags with human resources. The Wall Street Journal reports that the culture of overwork and the fear of appearing weak have led many young bankers to push themselves to the brink.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the banking industry as a whole, including institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, has long been criticized for its grueling work demands. Despite attempts to address these issues, the culture of overwork persists, driven by the lure of high pay and prestige. While banks have introduced policies like "protected weekends" to give employees some respite, enforcement remains inconsistent.

Financial Advisor Transitions consults advisors nationwide to explore employment transition options and to preserve and protect their practice in any transition that they make.