The Ultimate Guide to Investment Banking Classes for Aspiring Analysts

Investment banking courses in the current rapidly evolving finance landscape are not only a stepping-stone but a springboard to lucrative career paths in the world of finance. For a future career as an analyst, quality training can accelerate one’s career faster, bridge skill gaps, and offer entry into best-of-breed options in the top finance cities of the world.

A finance analyst introduction program is not only rich in basic knowledge but also endows them with high-level technical knowledge and recent applications. And with the appropriate investment banking curriculum overview, professionals can easily shift to live projects as well as actual banking procedures.

What Do Investment Banking Classes Teach You?

You ought to know what you are getting yourselves into before you become involved. Investment banking training typically entails four broad categories:

  • Corporate Finance & Valuation: Review company accounts, perform due diligence, and handle M&A and IPO calls.
  • Financial Modelling: Excel decision and projection models utilised daily by analysts.
  • Securities & Trade Operations: Acquire knowledge of equity, debt, and derivative markets—settlement cycles and trade monitoring.
  • Regulations & Compliance: Study international AML regulations, KYC norms, and sound banking practices.

These modules are the cornerstone of any investment banking analyst course, with technical, strategic, and regulatory competence for a career anywhere in the world.

Why Beginners Should Opt for Analyst-Specific Courses?

An investment banking course to become an analyst is quite different from a typical finance course. Here’s why:

  • Specific Skills: These courses are specially offered for the professional job roles such as Equity Analyst, Trade Associate, or KYC Analyst.
  • Industry Exposure: Offer live project exposure and mentorship by senior bankers.
  • Placement Oriented: The majority of the best courses provide interview or placement guarantee.

For all interested to know how to become an investment analyst, the answer is generally starting with enrolling in a professional investment banking analyst training program that incorporates skill development with career guidance.

Key Features of a High-Impact Investment Banking Course

While considering best courses for a finance professional, look at based on the following:

  • Depth of Curriculum: Coverage of special as well as core modules.
  • Practical Exposure: Exposure with projects.
  • Mentor Access: Individual access to masters.
  • Career Guidance: Resume building workshops, mock interview practice sessions, and placement camps.

One such high-performing program is the Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional (CIBOP) from Imarticus Learning. With 85% placement and job guaranteed, it is a refueling stop for finance passouts keen to accelerate.

How Long Should Your Investment Banking Class Be?

Time is money. While brief bootcamps are nothing but surface exposure, the well-structured 3 to 6 months (as the case may be) program guarantees depth of learning.

The structure of the course in investment banking has to be grounded as much as possible in career aspirations and not just depth of exposure.

CIBOP is offered in two modes—3 months (intensive) and 6 months (weekend)—with working professionals and students both having the leeway.

Imarticus CIBOP: A Deep Dive

About the Program

CIBOP program has developed more than 50,000 careers and conducted 1200+ batches. Project-based and best suited for those who desire sure-shot interview calls and formal mentoring.

What You Learn

  • Money Laundering Techniques
  • Ethical Banking
  • Trade-based Money Laundering
  • Compliance and Risk Management

Career Support

  • 7 Interview Guarantees
  • 1000+ Recruitment Partners
  • 60% Salary Increment Average
  • 4 LPA Average Salary

Regardless of whether you are about to begin your career or contemplating a career change, the CIBOP gives you a sound edge in a competitive situation.

Real-World Roles After Completing Investment Banking Classes

Upon completing a financial analyst course for beginners, your investment banking career could proceed to:

  • Investment Banking Associate
  • Client Onboarding Analyst
  • Wealth Management Associate
  • Trade Surveillance Analyst
  • Regulatory Reporting Executive
  • Risk Management Consultant
  • Hedge Fund Associate
  • Collateral Management Analyst

Every role entails specialized exposure, from client engagement to risk analysis and regulatory reporting.

How Investment Banking Training Aligns with Job Prospects?

Investment banks and global finance firms require professionals who are:

  • Job-ready from Day 1 
  • Compliance workflow familiar
  • Trade settlement proficient
  • Excel-based financial modeling expert

That is why professionally certified high-reputed institute students get the best career in investment banking. A program like CIBOP™ is not offering training—it develops capability. It bridges the knowledge-practice divide and exactly reflects what recruiters look for.

Essential Skills Needed for Investment Banking Success

These are investment banking skills every analyst must gain:

  • Excel & PowerPoint Mastery
  • Financial Modeling
  • Data Reconciliation & MIS Reporting
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Client Communication & Stakeholder Reporting
  • Problem Solving under Pressure of Time
  • Global Knowledge of the Market

These are adequately covered in formal training such as CIBOP™ so that the candidate is professionally well-prepared overall.

What Makes a Certification Worth It?

Choosing the best investment banking certification is a significant decision. Ensure that the course has:

  • Accreditation: Industry- or institution-approved.
  • Placement Track Record: Success with salary results demonstrated.
  • Real-World Relevance: Industry projects, evaluation, and instructors.

The Best Education Provider in Finance award for Imarticus at the 30th Elets World Education Summit 2024 solidified its leadership.

Imarticus Learning’s Edge in Career Growth

This is how CIBOP™ course stands out:

  • 100% Job Guarantee
  • 3-6 Month Duration Choices
  • International Career Opportunities
  • Professional-Led Live Training
  • No Limits to Career Guidance
  • In-depth Certification

From beginners to mid-level working professionals, the course has been structured in a manner that builds capability as well as confidence.

FAQs

1. What is the ideal duration of investment banking classes for beginners?

An ideal course duration of 3–6 months is ideal to cover the trade-off between theory learning and practical exposure, especially with placements assured.

2. Do I need a finance background for these courses?

Yes, the majority of the analyst-level courses like CIBOP™ are for finance graduates or freshers with experience ranging between 0–3 years.

3. What’s the average salary after completing CIBOP?

The graduates have been placed at jobs with a salary of 9 LPA, average being 4 LPA.

4. Can I shift from a non-banking career to investment banking?

Yes, if you have a basic finance background, a structured certification like CIBOP™ can facilitate the switch.

5. Are these classes available online?

Yes, the best investment banking courses like CIBOP are the best classes for finance careers and are online and in the form of hybrid courses as well.

6. What’s the placement process like?

You will get resume preparation, mock interviews, and access to 1000+ placement partners, with 7 interviews assured.

7. Is the certification recognised globally?

Although CIBOP had its inception in India, the course follows global standards and is hence as useful for international positions as well. 

Conclusion

Choosing the correct investment banking courses can change the course of life in finance. Whether it is a young analyst wanting to begin a career or an already successful professional seeking a mid-career switch, a recognised course such as CIBOP™ at Imarticus Learning offers it all—talents, exposure, credibility, and most importantly—career guidance.

Since the financial world keeps advancing with technology, regulation, and globalization, there is never a more opportune time than today to invest in yourself. Become a successful investment banker today.

Blockchain: The Possible Answer to Trade Finance Modernization

Recently, a study was conducted by the capital financial technology giant, C2FO, regarding European treasures. Herein, it was found that 75% of these treasurers are supposedly focussing on investing in trade finance technology, in the following year of 2017.
Colin Sharp, who holds the position of senior vice-president, EMEA at C2FO, is of the opinion that the shifts within the microeconomic environment, are resulting in the pressuring of corporates, in order to refocus their efforts to trade finance. He further goes ahead to say, “Treasurers are facing a lot of uncertainty, both from the United States of America and as result of the on goings around Brexit. This is putting immense pressure over the supply chain, and with the demand increasing and decreasing. Treasurers want the ability to use their assets to make returns and give some certainty.”
There have been more and more efforts, which are offering insight into, finding out how blockchain can supposedly be used, in order to benefit small as well as medium size ventures. Any said digital trade chain, supposedly wants to achieve a perfect balance, between identification of opportunities and connecting them with each other and their banking partners. This would be made even simpler, when banks would bring in their own client bases herein, thus eliminating rigorous on-boarding.
Anne Claire Gorge, who holds the position of the head of the product management department, trade services, and finance of Societe Generale, is of the opinion that, treasurers believe that more control over trade finances, can help them greatly in the other areas of business. She says, “Better use of trade finance helps theses treasurers, to have a greater overview of their working capital positions. Offering financial solutions to suppliers, for instance, in order to improve the terms of payments, helps greatly in guaranteeing cash flow.” She is of the firm thought that the deployment of latest technology will definitely end up simplifying the process. In her words, “Trade happens to be very heavy on letters of credit or invoicing solutions, making it complicated to finance receivables and payables. Doing all this, as a part of a digital solution, has great potential of making it easier”.
trade finance marketThe experts believe that a little rocking, cannot cause any harm to the ship, in financial jargon, they are basically hinting at the climate of uncertainty. Especially when it comes to Banks, a little uncertainty does not seem to be a negative thing. This actually makes for a rather encouraging temperature for the requirement of trade finance tools, in order to offer stronger guarantees. The solution for the entire thing can finally come from block chain, is the combined belief of all the trade finance gurus. But for this concept to see the light of the day, there needs to be a rigorous industry wide effort, in the direction of implementation.
As many changes take place, in order to develop and strengthen the field of Trade Finance, the number of aspirants herein also multiplies. This is why professional training institutes like Imarticus Learning seem to be getting popular by the day.

Industry Report: Investments and Developments Part – II

[Read Part 1]
This report analysis would be mainly dealing with all the key investments and developments in Indian banking sector.
Starting from the basic, central level, the RBL Bank Limited, a private sector bank in India, has reportedly raised about Rs. 330 crore as a result of their association with CDC Group Plc. This is a UK based financial development institution and will be helping the RBL bank, to strengthen their capital base, in order to meet their future needs.
The World Bank has reportedly signed an agreement with The State Bank of India, which is worth Rs. 4200 crore. This agreement basically deals with connecting all the solar rooftop projects in India, which are also known as GRPV, and will be receiving financing as a part of this agreement.
JP Morgan Chase, which is considered to be the largest bank in America, has been in talks of expanding their operations in India. They have gotten a head start on the same, with three new branches in, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai which will be an addition to the current branch in Mumbai.
An investment management company, known as the Canada Pension Plan, has reportedly bought a large stake, which it bought away from a Japan based, banking corporation called Sumitro Mitsui. These said stakes were in Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
India’s very first small finance bank, began its operations by launching about ten branches in the state of Punjab. The Capital Small Finance Bank as it is officially known aims at increasing the number of its branches to about twenty nine, in the current financial year of 2016-17.
Taking a step towards making India, as cashless economy, an e-wallet company, Freecharge, has partnered with Yes Bank and Mastercard. This partnership is in order to launch a new concept of Freecharge Go. This would be a virtual card, with the help of which consumers can pay for goods and services, at online shops as well as offline retailers.
This year, the economy of India would be majorly targeting at being self-sufficient and in the lieu of the same, te government of Andhra Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Exim Bank of India, in order to promote exports within this state.
Moody’s, a Global Rating Agency, seems to have upgraded its outlook towards the Indian Banking System. This move is to stabilize its negative based on the assessments of about five drivers, which include improvement in operating environment, stable asset risk and capital scenario.
Rockefeller Foundation, a non-profit organization based out of America, has backed a private Equity Investor known as Lok Capital. This investor has a plan of investing up to USD 15 million in a couple of proposed small finance banks in India, over the period of next year.
The RBI, has reportedly given in principal approval, to about 11 applications, which were in favour of establishing payment banks. These banks may accept deposits, but they are to refrain from extending any loans.
With the chances of the economy and the cash inflow looking bright, the banking and investment industry shows great promise for aspirants.

The Most Bizarre Questions That Investment Banks Asked This Year

We are all aware about the road to a great career in Investment Banking isn’t complete without the biggest roadblock, which is the interviews. For any freshly minted candidate, there always is a string of common run of the mill questions revolving mainly around their weaknesses, the 5 year plans that they intend to work on and so on. But, what usually catches the candidate off guard, is the list of weird questions. While these questions may be weird and a tad bit scary, they are the absolute crucial determinants, of whether you get that coveted position, or not.
Here’s a list of freakishly weird questions, which some of the top-notch banks asked in the year of 2016:
1. “How would you value a cow using a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis?”
The above question, as out of the blue as they come, was asked to a potential candidate in an interview round, in London Based Firm last year. While any DCF question, is extremely inevitable in corporate finance interviews, there are those Bovine DCF questions, which are not.
2. “How many pairs of shoes do you expect to wear over your lifetime?”
An interview is absolutely incomplete, without any brain teaser questions, which ensure that your analytical skills undergo a rigorous jog. This was most expectantly one of them. While the internet service engine, Google, might deem such questions as a tad bit irrelevant, all the to banks out there just cannot get enough of these. The above question was reportedly asked in an interview for risk management at Nomura.
3. “What would you do if we gave you 10,000 Euros now?”
If you are a finance aspirant looking to get into the field of investment banking, you would surely be expected to know all there is about Investments. Any bank, regardless of its position, expects the candidates to have some very solid investment ideas in response to questions like these. The above question was asked during an interview wit ICAP.
4. “Who is your best friend?”
This question was asked during the final round of an interview, conducted by Credit Suisse. In their attempt to go beyond the technicalities and mundane aspects, many HR managers try to ask unconventional questions. The above question was asked in a similar vein, in order to know about the candidate, through the eyes of someone, who is close to them.
5. “How would you manage the portfolio of an astronaut that will be isolated from earth for the next 10 years?”
This is another question, in the line of most out-of-the-context yet, relevant questions. This one in particular was asked during an interview about securities at Goldman Sachs and the student who was asked all of these questions said it was the best interview of all times.
As the popularity of Investment Banking, as a field grows, the number of professionals wanting to be a part of this field also multiplies. In order to look for the perfect candidates, these top banks usually end up asking very out of the box questions. To become thoroughly industry endorsed, professionals usually pursue certification training programs, Join Imarticus Learning, here we offer proper training to crack such interviews.

Industry Report: Banking Sector in India Part – I

This article will be principally dealing with the basic understanding about the banking sector, specifically in India and all the aspects and components of the size of the market. According to the Reserve Bank of India, the banking sector in India is believed to be sufficiently capitalized and well regulated. Recent reports state that the financial and economic conditions in our country, are way better in comparison to the other countries, in the present times. This basically puts the Indian economy, which is considerably stable, against the other alarmingly unstable and equally dysfunctional economies, all over the globe. Studies conducted in various fields like Credit, market and liquidity risk conclude that the banks in India have shown a general tendency, of being resilient and have been able to withstand the global economic turmoil really well.
This may have been a result of the various innovative banking models, for instance, the payments and small finance banks, which have had a positive impact on the Indian banking industry in the recent times. In the financial year of 2015-2016, about 10 small finance banks and around 11 payment banks, have received the principle approval from the central bank. This is a part of the new measures put in place by the Reserve Bank of India, which show great signs of going a long way, in terms of helping in the restructuring of the domestic banking industry. Let’s talk facts and numbers now, in keeping with the same we need to focus on the numeric aspects of the banking units across the country.
Primarily, the Indian banking system is made up of around 26 public sector banks, 25 private sector banks, 43 foreign banks, 56 regional rural banks, 1589 urban cooperative banks and around 93550 rural cooperative banks, in addition to the existing cooperative credit institutions. 80% of the entire market, is supposedly controlled by the public sector banks, thereby evidently a very small share of the market is left in control of the private counterparts. While on the other hand, every bank out there has begun to encourage their customers, in order to manage all of their finances using mobiles phones.
While there have been a number of predictions and assumptions in terms of credit growth, especially with the current banking situation, as well as the Union Budget almost being right around the corner. There are various estimates made, among which the Standard and Poor, have gone on to make the estimates, that the credit growth in the Indian banking sector, is likely to improve to 11-13 per cent in this financial year, that is 2017. This is a great news in terms of growth and progress, from the past three years, when the second half of the year, 2014, showed less than 10 per cent credit growth. As the future prospects of the Indian banking sector seem extremely bright and by extension, so do the job prospects in terms of Corporate Finance, Investment Banking and so on. This is why many finance enthusiasts have begun to turn to professional training institutes like, Imarticus Learning, that help them achieve the perfect career roles.

The Benefits of a CISI Certification with Imarticus Learning

The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments is considered to be the leading professional body, globally, for securities, investment, wealth and financial planning professionals. Founded in the year 1992 by the London Stock Exchange, today, it has taken up the role of a global community, spanning around 116 countries and boasting of about 40,000 members. It was conferred the title of ‘Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment’ in the year 2009 when it was granted a Royal Charter. Headquartered in London, this global professional body has its offices spread over various countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, Dubai, and Dublin.

This professional body is known to offer close to 40,000 CISI qualifications every year in around 70 countries, to qualify for which candidates have to take the Computer Based Test in the various centres worldwide. Apart from this, it is also the chief examining body in the industry and thereby, offers a number of industry memberships and training to the qualifying candidates. Apart from offering qualifications, the CISI is also known to offer, the CPD scheme, also known as, Continuing Professional Development scheme, which is basically rewarded to the members of, every level of seniority, geographical location, as well as industry specialization. The institute is known to have certain charitable objectives, which are as follows;
“To promote, for the public benefit, the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of securities and investments to develop high ethical standards for practitioners in securities and investments and to promote such standards in the UK and overseas to act as an authoritative body for the purpose of consultation and research in matters of education or public interest concerning investment in securities.”

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Being a member of this prestigious organization, sends out a message to all your clients and colleagues, including the wider public, that you as a professional, are committed to professionalism, integrity, and excellence. Becoming a CISI endorsed member is the most beneficial in terms of networking for a professional. One can easily access the international network of 40,000 financial practitioners.
Apart from this, the CISI body organizes a number of formal mixers, like forums, events, and other social media activities, which involve and encourage their members to build an array of networks and connections, with similar professionals from across the country. Any professional who is affiliated by the designations of CISI can meet up and keep abreast with the current happenings in the financial markets, while at the same time can also discuss them, with the top level delegates from across the world at any given point. The CISI body also offers a number of training courses apart from its social events and conferences. In order to get an entry into this elite bunch of people, one has to acquire the much coveted CISI certification.
International Certification & Placement You will receive the industry endorsed Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional (CIBOP) certification and the optional CISI certified IOC (Investment Operations Certificate). The Imarticus Learning Career Services and Placements team provides you guidance and assistance throughout the program, giving you the best career opportunities in leading international firms.

Banking Domain Primer

By Zenobia Sethna
The Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector is the backbone of the Indian economy employing approximately 4.5 million professionals. If you are looking for a career in Finance, you will see vacancies listing “Banking Domain Knowledge” as a requisite. But what does it mean? Banking itself can be of multiple types based on products and services on offer and the type of customers serviced.
For simplicity, one may define banking domain knowledge as the body of knowledge dealing with how different banking segments operate – across customers, sales & distribution, products & services, people, process and technology. This definition basically covers the end to end functioning of any bank.
Investment Banking Course
Let’s take a closer look at the operating model of a bank.
Banking Segments – Broadly we have four types of banks: retail banks, corporate banks, investment banks and private banks. These are known as Banking segments.
Clients – These are the customers who buy the bank’s products or services. These may be individuals looking to open a bank account or Institutions or other Banks looking for more corporate solutions or ways to invest their funds.
Sales and Distribution Channels – This includes how the bank reaches out to its customers to make sales. This could be through emails, phone calls, on the Internet, TV ads etc.
Products and Services – Products and services are the things the bank sells to customers for a fee. These would vary according to the banking segment. In retail banks, we would have products like deposit accounts and loans.
People, process and technology – Finally we have the three components that underpin all of the above. These are people, processes and technology. People includes job roles and responsibilities, organization structures; processes define how customer transactions are fulfilled and what procedures to follow, while technology defines the IT infrastructure and systems that support the business.
Imarticus Learning offers many courses on Investment Banking and Retail Banking covering the multi-faceted functioning of these banks and their products and services. Contact us to know more.


Introduction to Investment Management

What is Investment Management? What does the investment management industry constitute?

The world of finance can be complicated. To simplify for the sake of understanding, let us consider the financial world as broadly constituting of banks – (retail, commercial, and investment), insurance companies, and investment managers.

Banking: Retail and commercial banks are the ones most people are familiar with and are mostly straightforward. They take in money through deposits from customers, other banks, and shareholders. They then distribute this money through credit cards and loans to individuals, companies, and other banks.

Retail and commercial banks make money on the interest charged on these loans. Investment banks on the other hand are more complicated. They allow their clients, which include investment managers, to trade on the financial markets. They also deal with IPO, mergers, and acquisitions.

Insurance: Insurance companies take in money by charging for private and corporate insurance policies, in return for against the unexpected. They in turn are protected from being unable to payout on policy claims by moving money to a reinsurance company and therefore reducing exposure.

Investment Management: Investment managers also known as fund or asset managers do as the name suggests – they manage investments of private investors, corporates, banks, or insurance companies. Investment managers make their clients’ money grow by using investment banks to buy and sell investments.

Let us consider the funds managed by an investment manager as raw material whether in shares, bonds, commodities, or derivatives, and an investment manager as a machine that converts this raw material into a product by using a series of processes. The product is a fund. The goal of the fund is to make money for the investors. Thus, an investment manager uses an investor’s money to make money.

These processes vary greatly and depend on the investment strategy used. E.g.: passive vs. active investment. However, the principle remains the same. The fund aims to make a return by balancing risk and rewards and thus, in a process-driven manner ensures effective mobilization/channeling of its resource i.e. money from investors.

Thus, the players in the investment management industry can be classified into just two broad categories – the investment managers and the investors. Investment occurs directly i.e. investment contracts or more commonly via collective investment schemes. A mutual fund is a type of collective investment scheme. They provide an efficient way of pooling funds for investment purposes.

The Flow of funds in the asset management industry:

*PMS – Portfolio Management Services, AMC – Asset Management Services, WM – Wealth Managers.

What is the Investment Process? What role does the investment manager play? What is the role of portfolio performance measurement in the investment process?

Like any process, the investment process can be broadly classified based on four phases – Plan, Do, Check and Act. Similarly, it is pertinent to note that the investment management process, forming a part of the investment process cannot be improved without performance measurement. The following is an overview of the Investment Process.

From the above, it is clear that for the investment process to be complete it needs to be measured. This measuring of the portfolio performance should preferably be a part of the investment management process itself. In this case, it will contribute to improving the portfolio management process internally and thus contribute to process improvement. On the other hand, performance measurement can be undertaken by the investor as a part of the larger investment process. In this case, the same measures behave as a stricter audit function rather than a must-suited process improvement role.