Are you only in it for the money?

Money is a strong motivator to get into finance, but not always what keeps you in there, especially at times like these (i.e. there is not much money to be made).

Some people just hate to fail and you are made to believe that leaving (unless it is to better paying jobs) means failure. Then, you suddenly find you missed out on those "best years" and realize there is no point inaiming at a better work life balance. That's when the fear starts.

'If the money element is removed this would be an extremely boring work.'

If the money element was removed people would look to other jobs, eg:- MP

Absolutely. This is certainly not a 'fulfilling' profession, is it? We are not really making wildlife documentaries in the Amazonian rainforest or saving children from tyrants. If the money element is removed this would be an extremely boring work.

Very shallow comments here, I must say. Money and compensation attracts you to the financial world, but remember, people are different. I do what I do in the banking sector because of the money I get of course, but also because I love the meritocracy that I experience in my company, while I'm coming from a country where all that matters is who you know.
I also think the question is a shallow question in itself, because it doesn't consider the diversity of roles one can play in the financial industry (from trader to relationship manager to customer service), and the diversity of each individual's aspirations and motivations.

Im in it for the glamour, fast cars, easy women and magazine deals.