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 noted personalities are:
1. Jamie Dimon
Jamie Dimon is one of the most renowned names in the banking world. He has been the CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase since 2005. He has also been featured in TIME magazine’s list of most influential people multiple times.
It is under Dimon’s leadership that JPMorgan has become the largest bank in the world by revenue and in the U.S. by assets. Dimon has led many billion-dollar acquisitions like WaMu and Bear Stearns.
A tenure as long as his is unheard of in the finance world. Yet, the company continues to choose him to lead the financial powerhouse because of his ability to steer it in the right direction even through financial crises.
2. James Gorman
James Gorman is Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s leading global financial services firms. He has been the CEO since 2010, and the Chairman since 2012. His reputation as an influential investment banker goes beyond his Morgan Stanley tenure. He has held several executive positions at Merrill Lynch and served as a senior partner at McKinsey. He was also formerly the Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
He joined Morgan Stanley at one of the most volatile times as the financial crisis had just struck. He used that opportunity to understand the industry structure and leverage it to Morgan Stanley’s advantage. In a recent interview, he said that he wants to scale Morgan Stanley from $6.5 trillion in assets in 2021 to $10 trillion. Morgan Stanley made a 20% return in 2021.
3. Warren Buffet
Warren Buffet is a household name when it comes to banking and finance. He is one of the most successful investors and currently has a net worth of over $97 million.
His investment strategies have been adopted by companies, investment banks, and the general public alike. Buffet believes in finding and investing in stocks that are severely undervalued when compared to the intrinsic value of the company. He analyses parameters like profit margins, company performance, and company debt. His approach is to look at the company as a whole.
Buffet’s infamous strategies have helped a lot of people gain massive success in the markets.
How you can become a successful banker
Behemoths of the financial industry inspire new and aspiring bankers to strive hard to make a mark for themselves. If you go deeper into the careers and backgrounds of these influential personalities, you will notice that they have devoted their whole lives to the field of banking and finance.
Hence, you must build your dedication and consistency if this is something you seriously aspire to do. Here are a few more things you can sharpen to set yourself on the path to success as a banker:
1. Never stop developing your skills
Technical skills are indispensable when entering an industry like banking. However, in order to truly differentiate yourself, you will need to hone your non-technical skills. This is where you can push ahead of others. Some of these skills are:
- Analytical thinking
- Effective communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Innovation to solve problems creatively
- Discipline and time management
- Ability to work well in a team
- Self-confidence
As James Gorman explains in this interview, he has faced criticism at multiple occasions with people telling him he was wrong. Yet, he didn’t let that stop him from implementing the strategies he believed in. This is only possible if you have deep knowledge about the industry but also if you are self-confident.
You will have multiple options to ace your technical skills such as through effective courses such as the Investment Banking Course by FMI and the on-the-job learning opportunities. However, some of the intangible skills will only come through experiences, trial and error as well as an unwavering motivation to succeed.
2. Consistency and resilience are your strongest tools
In a career as demanding as investment banking, you are bound to feel tedium and the urge to give up. With these influential individuals, what you will notice is their determination to face challenges head-on. A financial crisis, a nationwide controversy, or repeated criticism did not faze them. They were passionate and consistent in their endeavours. The ability to stay resilient and headstrong when others can’t is what will help you to move forward in this career.
Conclusion
It is not easy to become one of the best in any career. However, it is not impossible. You can learn a lot from influential people in banking and study their journeys thoroughly. Use them as a constant source of motivation while moving forward with an undying will, passion, and a hunger to learn and evolve!
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