Konsultant,Two pieces of good news – 1) your personal background is a good fit for contracting, 2) investment banking remains a relatively strong contract market (relative to others that is)Bad news however….The market for senior established contractors remains solid but not fantastic. The market for new contractors, particularly at the more junior IT end is not so good. Rates are down 10-30% from a year ago and IT positions are under constant threat from off-shore providers. As a new entrant with a few years of IT PM experience you'd be considered at the junior end.For most perms, the challenge is getting their first contract. Most contract agencies will not touch a perm with a barge pole. They need proven contractors who are available straight away, and currently there is a good choice of available people. In the current market, few clients will wait for you to resign and work your notice. They want someone to start next week. Are you able to resign without having a contract to go to? That way you will be available.Most people move into contracting when they've been paid off, or do so in a more positive market, or do so through a personal contact who will hold a job open for them.