Investment bankers play a critical role in the financial world by helping businesses and governments raise capital, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and providing strategic advice on corporate restructuring. They are vital to the functioning of the capital markets, and their work helps drive economic growth and stability.

A job as an investment banker comes with lots of perks, and a great salary. You work with smart people, get open doors and gain lots of experiences fast. Find out if investment banking is the right career choice for you today.

To earn a six-figure salary as a fresh investment banker, you need to work hard to get a full-time job at a top investment bank and maximize your bonuses. A strong educational background, relevant skill set, and investment banking internships can help you secure a job.

Learn how to get a front-facing role in a top investment bank without any prior experience. Understand what front desk jobs in finance are and the skills required, get the right qualifications, internships, network, and build the right skill set. Show your willingness and dedication to the role through internships, and make a good impression through networking.

An internship will involve working for long hours in a dynamic environment, with high standards for accuracy and work ethic. You must be aware of the practical workings of the industry to cope with your work

To stay relevant and competitive, investment banks have adapted new hiring practices in the technology-dominated, post-COVID world. These hiring trends were visible across financial institutions. While in the previous calendar year institutes were worried about staffing and labour shortage, banks were predicting a long struggle for employees to continue to post the COVID-19 pandemic, according […]

The lucrative growth prospects of investment banking make it a brutally competitive industry. Having done a relevant investment banking course improves your odds of breaking into the industry. However, investment banking courses come in different shapes, sizes and forms. The elementary investment banking courses provide students with an overview of the industry and its functions, […]

Investment bankers are responsible for heavy corporate transactions like mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, fundraising, and investment advisory. A career in investment banking is demanding, highly competitive and challenging. The right skillset, however, can help you build a successful career in investment banking by making the job easier and more efficient. In this article, we will explore […]

Top investment banks offer investment banking internship programs, each year, hiring graduates to work for 3-4 months in their offices. Through these internships, interns get first-hand experience working in an investment bank, gain an opportunity to network with other bankers, and improve their resumes. More importantly, aspiring investment bankers can see if they have the […]

Going through the fundamentals of finance, working on DCF calculations, and preparing financial models are some of the more obvious things that an aspiring investment banker prepares for before interviewing for a job at a top investment bank. But what about the subtle nuances that could determine whether you will land a job or not? […]

It is vital to start your career in investment banking with the right organisation, one that not only offers a healthy corporate culture but also supports your personal goals. Some of the critical aspects which you must consider while selecting an investment bank are corporate culture, compensation, core areas of focus, size of operation, history […]

Considering the lucrative prospects and growth possibilities involved, investment banking is a tough industry to crack. However, by following a few steps you can improve your odds. One such step is having done relevant finance and accounting courses. It will allow you to demonstrate better knowledge in the domain than your peers, which will set […]

Investment banking offers limited job titles and functions on a strict hierarchy, common globally. A typical hierarchy starts with investment banking analysts, followed by IB Associates, Vice President, Senior Vice President, all the way to Managing Director and CEO. Global investment banks, functioning in multiple countries, often have different job titles, however, the job descriptions […]

With consolidation in global markets and alterations in the supply chain, businesses are exploring the path of M&A to exploit synergies with their global counterparts and achieve efficiency. This has led to an increase in corporate transactions, fuelling the demand for investment bankers. The size of the global investment banking industry is estimated to be […]

Over the past few months, experts have predicted the possibility of a global recession. A recession is defined as a period of economic downturn, marked by a decline in GDP for two successive quarters. One of the most prevalent indicators of a slowdown has been the stock market. Investors across the world have witnessed a […]

After a job interview is over, you will have some time to reflect how your interview went. You might feel confident about certain parts and nervous about others. You desperately want to understand if the interview went well or not. Are there cues that can help you analyse how you performed? To some extent, yes. […]

Due to its lucrative salaries and promising growth prospects, investment banking attracts thousands of candidates with similar backgrounds. Hence, simply submitting a resume will not guarantee you an interview. However, a referral from a banker at your target investment banks will make you stand out from the crowd. A candidate might have to invest plenty […]

 A career in investment banking can be extremely rewarding, adventurous, and lucrative but does require resilience, commitment, and working under pressure. Investment bankers facilitate corporate transactions such as M&As, IPOs, and LBOs, among others, for businesses. The convergence of emotional and rational aspects required for these tasks influences the types of skills bankers look for […]

Before you land your dream job in investment banking, you’ll have to get through the final round of interviews. These interviews consist of multiple rounds of behavioural, technical and company-specific questions. At times, you may not have the required bandwidth to prepare for a long time. Here is a quick guide for IB interview prep […]

Interviewing for an investment banking job is a unique and nerve-wracking experience, especially if it is your first interview. In addition to the general advice, such as being on time and dressing right for the part, the investment banking job interview is often more about being prepared, presenting yourself, and being resilient. If you’re about […]

The investment banking profession is highly sought after and one of the most difficult to break into. Investment bankers’ experiences have always attracted people’s interest and inspired them to join the industry. A great deal of assumptions, however, are also made about the industry such as the working lives of professionals, the industry structure, and […]

An Investment banker spends countless hours on Microsoft office, be it for a presentation on PowerPoint, preparing a financial model on Excel or editing a proposal on Word doc. Efficiency is key, and you want to use tools that optimise your efforts with the least amount of time taken. In this article we have broken […]

In most investment banking applications, cover letters accompany the resume. Applicants are typically screened on the basis of their resume, school, GPA and relevant keywords as the first stage of filtering. If you went to a tier 1 university and have a strong GPA, then your cover letter may be given precedence and read in […]

Investment banking is one of the most coveted jobs in the financial industry. It is no surprise that an average day in an investment banker’s life can be long and bustling. The ones who are persistent and continue to stay in the industry often go on to have long-lasting and financially rewarding careers. An entry-level […]

With expanding financial markets, demand for investment bankers has also grown to a large extent. The size of the global investment banking industry is estimated to be over $155 billion and is expected to reach over $230 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.4%. Hyper globalisation and recent supply chain issues have also […]

"An options contract gives an investor the right, but not the obligation, to buy (or sell) shares at a specific price at any time, as long as the contract is in effect. By contrast, a futures contract requires a buyer to purchase shares—and a seller to sell them—on a specific future date, unless the holder's position is closed before the expiration date." 

In 2015 I got the opportunity for an interview in JP Morgan Chase & Co. for the Senior Team Member – Reconciliations Specialist in Cash Equities Role. I was excited that I reviewed Financial Markets products like I always do even on my free time. My final interview was with the Vice President of the […]

Experts have predicted that a recession is looming in the U.S. One of the most prevalent indicators of a slowdown has been the stock market. Investors across the world have witnessed a significant drop in share prices over the last few months. Under such circumstances, uncertainty about the job market and the economy begins to […]

Investment banking is typically seen as a prestigious career with a variety of perks and learning opportunities. Yet, the challenges it comes with are not a secret either. Here are some of those majorly known challenges: 1. Having the right background Although investment banks deploy a range of resources every year to train and upskill […]

Investment banking is well-known as a competitive career stream. Even with its long working hours, cut-throat competition, and often stressful nature of work, hundreds of thousands of people are attracted to this field despite the slim selection rates. It is worth noting that only 4% of Goldman Sachs’ 40,000 plus applicants get selected for their […]

Investment banking is a numbers game, hence, anything that helps organise and analyse data is a boon for this industry. Enter, data analytics! If integrated well into IB, data analytics can help streamline processes, reduce the time taken to complete tasks, increase efficiency, help generate useful reports and so on.  If you are an aspiring […]

The banking industry is home to many voices that have shaped and transformed it over time. These people are extremely influential and considered the real trendsetters in this industry. Their ideas and the models used by them are still being replicated and re-used by investment banks. Let’s take a look at who some of these […]

If you are a tech student who’s attracted to the glam of Investment Banking, there are many ways for you to make it in this industry. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be skilled in mathematics, finance, and economics only to become an investment banker. In fact, being from a different background can […]

We wouldn’t be lying if we said that many enter the investment banking industry in search of lucrative pay packages. It is common knowledge that the salary of a newbie investment banker can go up to $100,000 including the bonuses. But is this something that just gets handed to you? Absolutely not. To be in […]

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss A career in investment banking is a unique learning opportunity. From handling clients to recognising small errors that can cost millions, there are many potential lessons in this field. This is perhaps […]

The investment banking industry is highly selective when it comes to recruiting talent. A top-notch education alone may not be enough to sustain a successful career in this field. You will need to layer it up with tangible and intangible skills that help you stand out and establish your identity as an i-Banker. Here are […]

It is no doubt that investment banking gives the impression of a glamorous career from the outside. However, while it does offer perks, it also requires a great deal of knowledge, resilience, and skill to make it as a successful investment banker.  To test where you stand in your proficiency as an aspiring i-Banker, here’s […]

Mergers and acquisitions are often used interchangeably. However, investment bankers and anyone with financial knowledge knows that they both have different meanings.  Mergers and acquisitions is a generalised term used to describe the consolidation of companies through different financial transactions. The companies can have a merger, one can acquire another, or they can buy each […]

The field of finance and banking has been constantly evolving. However, the pandemic has whipped up many challenges for investment banks. Some banks have had to pivot their business models to stay operational.  Due to these changes, certain clear trends have emerged in the industry. These are pivotal in deciding where investment banking roles will […]

If you’re looking to work in investment banking, one of the divisions you can choose is global markets. This division enables a bank’s clients to trade financial products, raise capital, and manage risk. This can include primary and secondary markets (rates, credit, foreign exchange, fixed-income, securitisation and treasury).  Within the global markets division, you will […]

It is common knowledge that an understanding of finance can be immensely helpful if you’re looking to work in investment banking. What’s lesser known is that learning economics is what can truly set you apart and help you excel further in IB. 

Investment bankers and financial analysts are known to crunch numbers, run analytics, be mathematics experts and so on. Yet, while these skills are not absolutely mandatory to work in the investment banking industry, they can certainly help you gain a leg up at your job. Although many courses and tools exist online to aid with […]

Mezzanine finance is a hybrid form of financing that combines debt and equity. After a certain time has passed, the lender has the option to convert the loan (debt) into an equity share in the company. This form of financing can fetch higher returns for investors than typical debt, often paying between 12% to 20% […]

S&P Global has put Mergers & Acquisitions on their list of 2021 trends shaping sectors. As per their recent Global Market’s Intelligence report, Q2 FY 2021 was the third straight period with the total M&A value suprassing $1 trillion. With this rapid surge and growth in volume, a few trends have begun shaping the mergers […]

Many look at investment banking as a cushy career option but not everyone fully understands what investment bankers do. Within investment banking, there exist multiple divisions called IBDs (Investment Banking Divisions). These are various departments within the profession for different tasks such as capital raising (underwriting in equity, debt, and hybrid markets), executing mergers and […]

If you’re an aspiring investment banker, one of the major areas you work in can be mergers and acquisitions. This is the process of companies being consolidated either through merging or one company acquiring the other. Investment bankers, in M&As, assist with crucial aspects -— valuing the companies, analysing the financial health of the firms […]

As an investment banker, you should be well-versed in the stock markets and their various features as companies will rope you in for determining stock prices, issuing their IPOs, raising capital, and undertaking mergers and acquisitions. An important aspect of the stock markets is also dual and secondary listings. Let’s understand what these are. What […]

What is Book-Building for an IPO? Book-building is the process in the stock markets through which a company and the underwriter decide the price of IPO shares. IPO, as we shared earlier, is the process by which a company opens its capital raising to the public. An underwriter is a third-party finance specialist who is […]

The corporate finance lifecycle is the evolution of a company through various stages. It is most commonly divided into four stages: launch, growth, maturity, and decline. Understanding the different stages of the corporate finance lifecycle is crucial for anyone working in the investment banking industry as it can significantly impact business decisions such as investments, […]

Investment banking interviews are a golden chance to land that highly coveted job. If you prepare well for the interview, not only are you able to create a long-lasting impression but can also demonstrate why you are the most suited candidate for the job. One of the most commonly asked questions during the interview is […]

Investment banking interviews are highly craved by aspirants. However, once you do get the interview call, you must begin the preparation process. IB interviews can be intense and without practice, you may find yourself scrambling for answers. To help you prepare better, here are 5 shocking investment banking interview questions you may not have necessarily […]

Investment banking may not be as pervasive an industry as the tech sector. Yet, when you delve deeper into it, you will realise that the IB industry is home to some of the most influential people in the world. Since Steve Jobs can be considered a fair touchstone for measuring success and fame, we figured […]

Many consider investment banking to be one of the most exclusive industries in the world. Yet, while some common facts such as its financial perks and long hours are well known, the industry’s innerworkings aren’t common knowledge. In this article, we delve into some of the lesser known and striking facts about investment banking: 1. […]

As an aspiring investment banker, you’re probably keen to find answers to multiple questions – how to prepare yourself for a high-stakes, high-stress job, how to approach investment banking, how to balance work and the rest of your life, what does the future of the industry look like etc. Uncovering these answers can be overwhelming […]

If you’re an aspiring investment banker, you will find plenty of content online about the shiny bits of this industry – the big paychecks, the ritzy lifestyle, the glamour of Wall Street etc. And when you desperately want something such as a high-paying job, it’s easy to focus on the pros more than the cons. […]

If you aspire to have a career in investment banking, chances are you’ve daydreamed about the big bucks, the power suits, the swanky lifestyle and more. At the same time, you’ve probably also mulled over the much spoken about long hours, a deficient work-life balance, a bumpy corporate ladder etc. So, where exactly is the […]

As a student with a passion for business and/or finance, a career in either management consulting or investment banking can be alluring options. Each represents the opportunity to earn a significant salary right out of college, even with just a bachelor’s degree. Unlike other industries, like medicine and law, which require extensive academic training and […]

As a future investment banker, you will essentially perform two functions for clients, the first is M&A advisory, and the second is underwriting. Many of you will be familiar with the concept of underwriting in the insurance industry context. However, underwriting from an investor’s perspective, the subject of today’s blog post, is an entirely different […]

Investment banks are one of the most competitive places to break into in the world. Getting into Goldman Sachs is even harder than getting into an Elite University: the acceptance rate is only 4%, compared to 5.2% at Harvard University and around 20% at Cambridge.  However, with determination and the right skills you’ll be able […]

It’s true – top-tier investment banks recruit heavily from ivy league schools and other target schools. Big names such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan visit campuses to drum up interest in their internship programs and full-time entry-level positions. Networking They put on presentations at the schools and attend careers fairs that are organized […]

Many students and graduates want to work in finance as it is known to be highly financially rewarding and thrilling. It is also, however, high pressured, stressful, and demanding. Investment banks often look for people who have the intellectual skills required for such a role, coupled with the psychological ability to survive in a very […]

An investment bank recruits people in a number of ways. Undergrads are hired onto internships; graduates are hired straight from University, MBAs straight from Graduate School, and experienced staff who have spent some time working in the industry already join when a position becomes available. Internships Investment banks offer different types of internships, depending on […]

We often hear roles described as either “sell side” or “buy side.” This article aims to demystify the language around these terms and explain specific roles on the sell-side.

Structuring desks typically create bespoke solutions for large clients with complex problems when the 'off-the-shelf' product does not exist. People who enjoy solving complex problems that require collaboration with a wide variety of internal desks may find a career in structuring suits them.