Prasad Mekde reminisces and talks about his experience which helped him land a prestigious job at BNP Paribas and earn a confirmation of service in just a few months.
Hello. My name is Prasad Mekde. I graduated in 2015 and enrolled in the investment banking operations course at Imarticus. Shortly after I completed the course I was placed at BNP Paribas and confirmed soon thereafter.
The highlights of Imarticus’ Investment Banking Course
Batch 68 is where 30 graduates came together at Imarticus Learning to realize their dreams of being tomorrow’s successful investment bankers. Every individual’s skill set is honed at Imarticus to present and mould them in the best possible manner and this is what they helped me with. The result is the job that I landed with BNP Paribas!
I enrolled for the program based on the recommendation of a friend and the encouraging Imarticus learning reviews. In my opinion, the best part of the course was the sharing of knowledge on investment banking in a practical manner which helped me get an insider’s view into the role of an investment banker and what exactly I needed to do in this role.
The knowledge and fine tuning of perceptions related to skill sets for investment banking, understanding the role and learning to apply the technical skills I acquired were the major areas I benefitted. The regular revisions and learning reinforcement ensured I had a good foundation in Investment Banking.
The training methodology:
The training comprised of 3 holistic approaches. The book references helped me gain theoretical knowledge and certification gave me added confidence. Imarticus Learning used assignments, projects, and live simulations to help me create the essential attributes of confidence. This essentially meant practically implementing my knowledge of the basics and concepts, presenting the information based on an analysis in lucid presentations and interacting with all relevant people collaboratively.
The trainer’s and faculty members helped boost my morale and give me a clear picture of my work-day and role as an investment banker. The classroom sessions, market simulations, hands-on, and do-and-learn experiential methods helped boost and kick-start my career.
Why I recommend Imarticus to all aspirants:
Imarticus Learning’s placement services and the industry-endorsed certification helped me stand head-and-shoulders above other candidates. The training and learning sessions enhanced my communicative skills and knowledge of the latest technological tools and helped me build a well-presented resume.
If you have a yearning to follow a career in Investment Banking click here for complete information or speak to the counselors to allay any fears you might have.
Tag: investment banking training
My Journey from an Introvert to a Successful Investment Banking Career.
Jason Lobo explains how he overcame his fears to emerge as a winner with a great IB career.
Yes, I wanted to be an investment banker but lacked confidence and was an introvert.
My name is Jason Lobo and I finished my graduation from the KES Shroff Commerce and Arts College. As the first step to an investment banking career, I equipped myself by pursuing courses in Advanced Excel and Tally. However, my greatest hurdle was that I would hesitate to speak to strangers and lacked the confidence to interview for an investment banking job. That’s the moment I decided to approach Imarticus Learning!
After speaking to the counselors at Imarticus, I found that their Investment Banking Course was ideal for me. I looked over the syllabus that the course covered and found it to be extremely comprehensive.
I checked their website and other portals like Glassdoor and found that there were many candidates who had finished their course and had given positive Imarticus learning reviews. I personally felt that the Imarticus learning placement program was unique and offered a 100% assurance of placements.
The training course is unique, amazing and result-oriented:
The training is truly among the best. The faculty members were excellent and mold you into a person who can seamlessly fit into teams and Investment Banking positions. The certification exams, job preparation, frequent mock interviews, and invaluable interview guidance helped me face the interviewer confidently and I landed a job GlobeOp.
My transformation:
Though I took many job-interviews I found it very difficult to make a breakthrough. With the Imarticus training, it became possible for me to achieve the dream job of many aspirants. Their soft-skill development sessions were personalized for each student. My entire personality changed to becoming a confident extrovert armed with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Their placement experts, especially Mr. Rohan, take great responsibility to ensure you get placed. Moreover, the efforts of Ms. Lourdes, Mr. Dharmesh and Mr. Mithul in providing me with the essential soft-skill training, interview knowledge and an idea of the role of an investment banker helped me groom myself and get into this industry with confidence.
Thank you Imarticus!
Post the course and successful placement at SS&C GlobeOp, I find I can speak endlessly about many subjects and even talk to strangers. I owe my new job and career to Imarticus! I have been able to conquer my fears to confidently face interviews, realize my career ambition and overcome a lack of confidence in my skills.
If you want an Investment Banking career, click here for complete information or speak to the counselors to allay any fears you might have. Hurry and enroll today. Your career hinges on your decision.
How I Aced the BNP Paribas Interviews to Kick-Start my Investment Banking Career
Hello. I’m Ajith Gouda and have a Bachelor degree in Management Studies from Mumbai University. I completed the Investment Banking Certification Course 2 months ago and am presently working at BNP Paribas.
Why I opted for Imarticus Learning’s Investment Banking Course?
The Indian Express claims that Investment Banking is today’s hot-choice among careers. And, they’re right. It’s anticipated that in 2019-2020 alone around 750,000 openings are available in global financial firms and banks. The payouts, job-security, and growth in this field are amazing and second to none. Moreover, the Imarticus Learning reviews concurred and I used this amazing course to launch my IB career.
This course is truly awesome:
The innovative and unique teaching methodology helped me imbibe theoretical learning through classroom training, where instruction was coupled with experiential learning. The practical approach with regular reviews and reinforcement of learning and the many live market-sessions helped me connect the dots and understand why knowledge and the ability to practically implement that knowledge is so vital to an investment banker. They gave me the insider-view and provided me with clarity on the investment banker’s job role.
My learning summary:
Since I had no idea or insider view of the real investment banking job role, I did have my concerns about whether I would be job-ready after the course. My fears were put to rest since the course helped me with knowledge of finance institutions, market participants, modules on basics and advanced concepts of the financial and money system, the business sides of sell and buy, market types, the regulators, regulations and risks involved, all about various kinds of shares, capital markets, financial institutions, bonds, shares, receipts, stock exchange operation, yield, complex Forex operations like credit, defaults, hedging, swaps and all that is essentially required to operate as an investment banker.
The actual training course highlights:
Imarticus helped me gain all this information through practical assignments, projects, and simulations and helped me create good self-projecting attributes where I used both practicality and sound knowledge. Their excellent faculty, classroom sessions, market simulations, hands-on, and do-and-learn experiential methods helped me kick-start my career. I am grateful to Imarticus for the great learning platform which was informational, easy-to-recall, used the latest technological aids and reinforced my learning through the various aids at the right time.
The last and best self-development module:
Learning is all about ongoing changes and I found that Imarticus Learning is the biggest and best platform available today for aspiring graduate students looking to make a career in investment banking.
This certification helped me raise the bar and is like a feather in my educational cap. Their learning sessions to grow your skill sets also cover enhancing your communication skills, ensuring you can handle the technologically latest software programs, building your CV, mock interviews, mock domain sessions, and invaluable interview guidance. This helped me ace my interview in just a few months. Thank you Imarticus!
Looking for a foothold in the investment banking industry? Click here and speak to a career counselor today.
Current Liquidity Crisis and M&A
The financial crisis of NBFCs a major concern
For a long time, various corporations, including insurance firms, had made investments through short-term instruments in the Infrastructure Finance Company IL&FS, which has to led to a significant liquidity crunch today. Amidst this scenario, the Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) have been majorly affected by the current liquidity crisis in India. The relationship between the Government and RBI is going through a rough phase as well due to the prevailing circumstances. Adding to the tension is the ban on using Aadhaar information for microlending during December 2018.
Interference of RBI to save IL & FS from the liquidity crunch
The reports from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) states that the total debts of IL&FS as of 2017-2018 balance sheet stands at INR 63,000 crores today. The NBFCs were expecting a ray of hope from the RBI, but to their surprise, the reserve bank imposed more rigid rules and regulations for risk management, and asset-liability structures. In the last quarter of 2018, the RBI had announced to inject INR 40,000 crore to help the soaring funds through Government securities into the system.
The problems faced by NBFCs are mostly attributed to their dependencies in short-term borrowings and long-term lending loans to builders and real estate players. Therefore RBI’s ruling enforces more disciplined liquidity management in the future is a welcoming approach. However, the point to be concerned is the unknown course of action for the NBFCs to get out of the present liquidity crisis without which implementing new measures is difficult.
The financial crunch of the NBFCs has affected the loans against the property market in the fiscal year 2019 in India. A secured loan where one party pledges a property with a lender and borrow against it is a Loan Against Property (LAP). In a report from the reporting agency, India Ratings and Research stated that the weak LAP in FY19 is mainly due to lack of strong emotions on the property market and the liquidity crunch faced by NBFCs.
An insight into global M&A
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) World Investment Report of 2019 release states that there is a substantial decline in the global FDI by 13% in 2018 which is a third consecutive decline. The slide in global FDI is USD 1.3T in 2018 from USD 1.5T in 2017. However, India witnessed a 6% growth in FDI in 2018 to 42B. This growth is attributed to the activities in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, communication, production, and financial service sector.
The growth of e-commerce in India is expected to increase tentatively by a large extent. It is estimated that India’s e-commerce transactions to reach USD200B by 2026. Further, the trending online retail businesses coupled with telecommunication growth has leveraged the increase in cross-border M&As in India to USD 33B in 2018 from USD 23B in 2017.
The domestic M&A emerging as a life saver
A blockbuster merger was by the American multinational retail corporation, Walmart and India’s largest fashion e-commerce giant Flipkart. The telecommunication alliances and deals were worth USD 2B that collectively associates deals from Vodafone and American Tower. India’s blooming year for M&As was 2018, after which the first quarter of FY2019 has been low. The reason for this subdued effect is attributed to the gloomy global M&A market.
The quarterly report figures indicated a fall in M&A in Q1CY19 to $9.9B from $21.6b in Q1CY18. However, the domestic deals were a breather for India, the most significant being the merger between Bandhan bank and Gruh Finance, which was a $3.2B deal. Another agreement was between GMR airports, and Tata group led Consortium, which amounted to $1.2B. While Japan and Germany were favorite partners for cross-border M&A, the US remained at the top of the chart with 14 inbounds and 14 outbound deals with India. The Indian business executives are high on confidence that one-third of them are expected to undertake M&A in 2019.
To Sum Up
The backup of domestic consolidation for India and continued support of interests from FDI is considered a root cause for having a stable M&A in the future. Given the weak sentiment in the bond market, the current liquidity crisis may remain stubborn for NBFCs at the present moment.
Get more interesting about Current Liquidity Crisis and M&A, by applying for an Investment Banking Courses
The Investment Banking Course That Will Get You Hired
Prateek shares his experience and the journey that led to an investment banking job at Goldman Sachs
Investment Banking is an industry that’s hard to break into, even with a master’s degree in finance. Prateek, a postgraduate in banking & finance, talks about how Imarticus Learning’s Investment Banking Training program helped him land his dream job.
What’s your background, and why did you enroll in the Investment Banking course?
My name is Prateek Dhar, and I have a bachelor’s degree in accounts and auditing from NM college. After attaining my bachelor’s degree, I went on to graduate with a master’s degree in banking and finance. After my post-graduation, I was looking for more learning and career opportunities and stumbled upon Imarticus and the Investment Banking courses. I was interested in and enquired about the course. I also looked through Imarticus Learning reviews to gauge public opinion. On visiting the center, the career counselors helped guide me on the path to an investment banking career, and I decided to enroll for the course.
Tell us about your experience during the course.
My entire journey with Imarticus has been incredible. The course content is comprehensive, in-depth, and aligned to the requirements of the industry. The best part of the course is, without a doubt, the trainers. They have experienced professionals and have a good grip on the finance domain and on the concepts they teach. Moreover, the course isn’t restricted to just theoretical knowledge. The trainers ensure that practical learning is incorporated into every concept that you learn.
Imarticus has helped me gain a lot of knowledge, and I’m thankful for the experience.
Why would you recommend this Investment Banking course?
Well, in my opinion, the most important aspect of any course is the trainers. This is the reason I would recommend the course at Imarticus. Not only are the trainers knowledgeable and extremely skilled, but they also are approachable, helpful and are ready to assist with any queries that you may have. The classroom lectures are interactive, and this helps keep up with the learning curve.
What are your thoughts about Imarticus Learning’s placement services?
Fantastic! I was placed at Goldman Sachs through Imarticus and couldn’t have asked for more. Many of the major investment banks – BNP Paribas, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, GlobeOp and more – recruit from Imarticus and this is an excellent opportunity for freshers to make their mark in the industry. Imarticus will help you crack better opportunities in the market by helping you refine your resume along with your communication and interview skills.
While the course is a short-term journey, it has given me long-term prospects within the investment banking industry. Anyone looking for an investment banking career should come to Imarticus.
Are you looking to launch your investment banking career? Click here to inquire about the program.
Can Chartered Accountants become Investment Bankers? How?
Investment banking is a challenging and exciting career opportunity that many can pursue. Grit, determination and a smart attitude are what it takes to become an investment banker.
Many chartered accountants look at pivoting their career to investment banking due to the myriad of opportunities available in the field. While chartered accountancy is challenging, investment banking opens a new world of functions and risk aspects that one can learn and grow in. Individuals who are dynamic, hardworking and dedicated have a chance to pursue an investment banking course and move into the field naturally.
A career in investment banking is highly risky, exciting and dynamic and they are always on the lookout for individuals who are ambitious and charismatic. There are many different types of functions that one performs in investment banking predominantly revolving around raising funds, auditing, client relationship, and mergers. The biggest function though is to raise equity for your clients and project a growth trajectory.
Hence investment bankers need to make decisions keeping in mind the future of the client and do so in a qualitative fashion. The job also has long hours and involves strategic thinking at every step of the way.
Here are the top ways that one can switch into investment banking from accounting.
Understand the Functions
As mentioned earlier in the article, investment banking requires a lot of strategic thinking and making smart choices for your clients. This can be high risk as the company’s future depends on raising funds and taking off. Before looking at switching from chartered accounting, one must evaluate and scope out the work portfolio of investment banking. Individuals who have completed an investment banking training will have a basic understanding of what does it take to raise capital for a company and this is an area of expertise that one must master.
Country Specific Rules
Before shifting to investment banking, one must understand the specific set of rules and regulations defined in each country for the field of banking. For instance, in India, it is a natural progression for many accountants to switch from chartered accounting to banking and then financial advisors. Some countries may also require an exam to be given in order to pursue investment banking as a career. Understanding this is the key to moving successfully into the investment banking space.
Ability to work with clients
One of the top things that banking and accounting have in common is the option to learn how to build relationships. In investment banking, long term relationships and the ability to upsell and understand your client goes a long way. If you have good communication skills, are proficient in math and are hard working you already have the foundation for a career in investment banking.
Conclusion
A lucrative career path, investment banking may demand long working hours, quick thinking in a stressful situation and more. However, the results can be deeply rewarding to individuals who pursue the same.
Also Read: How to Become Investment Banker
Round up of Indian PE Jan – March 2019
From an investment perspective, the first quarter of 2019 witnessed a double value jump to USD 7B from Private equity and Venture capitals as compared to USD 3B last year here in India. In January 2019, the big US deal was from SoftBank who are the majority shareholders in Yahoo. Then Japan invested in India’s leading e-commerce giant in the field of kids and baby products, Firstcry. This deal amounted to $397M. However, in Feb 2019, India witnessed a rebound coming from the PIPE investments at a massive $431M. The debt funding for ReNew Power from the US Government was to the tune of nearly $350M, making credit investments reach an all-time high.
All of these deals proved that March 2019 was the flourishing phase of PE, which was 30% higher than the previously recorded high in August 2017, which stood at USD 5.4B. The number of PE/VC deals in March 2019 witnessed a rise of nearly 44% as compared to March 2018.
The remarkable deal of RIL boosting PE investments in 1Q
The leading global infrastructure and finance equity investors, Brookfield Asset Management, has acquired a controlling share in Reliance Jio’s telecom tower and fibre assets to become the largest ever deal in the infrastructure sector and M&A. It is evident that the first quarter of 2019 has had massive PE investments amounting to USD 11B which is more than 35% that was recorded in the first quarter of 2018, making it the best ever quarter for PE investments in India.
The largest ever deal in PE investment was among the top five deals that happened in Q1 2019. The banking, financial service and insurance BSFI sector was another favored sector for PE/VC investments. Amongst which, an 11% stake in SBI life insurance from Carlyle and CPBI amounts to nearly USD 817M with Bharti Airtel having an inflow of USD 726M investment from GIC. All these types of investments were significantly large ones which ultimately led to an exponential high in PE investments in the first quarter of 2019.
Amidst other sectors, the deal between Brookfield and Reliance Industries Limited tops the chart with USD 6B investments in March 2019.
Finance, infrastructure and e-commerce sectors fared well compared to credit investments
On a year-over-year basis, the profits from the first quarter of 2019 had increased by nearly 37% to the $11.4B increase in PE investments as compared to $8.3B in Q1 of 2018. The number of PE investment deals over the same time frame in 2019 was 239, which was again, way more than the meagre 183 deals made in 2018.
The exponential increase of PE investments in Q1 2019 is largely attributed to the bumper agreements that happened during that period. Among 26 large deals in Q1 2019, the infrastructure deal between Brookfield and RIL was the largest. While analyzing the type of investments all the fields have fared relatively well except the credit investments.
The financial sector which saw a decline of 8% in Q1 2018 has received $2.9B in Q1 2019, which is a commendable performance. The impact of the liquidity crisis of the NBFCs made the financial sector see red in Q4 2018. One of the more notable investments in Q1 2019, is the one made by Softbank into e-commerce centric logistic firm Delhivery, and e-commerce retailer FirstCry.
E-commerce being the talk of the town of-late is set to reach a $200B by 2026 according to a report. In such a backdrop, e-commerce gets a whopping $785M PE investments in Q1 2019. In 2018 India witnessed strong PE investments back out from major firms. In Q1 2019, there was a 30% decline in exits as compared to 2018, which served as good news to the industry. From an overall perspective, however, the technology sector faced major exits of 7 deals amounting to losses to the tune of nearly $511M in 2019.
Bottom Line
With the fading volatility in the market, these open market exits have performed better with an increase of nearly 50% in open market values and volumes. With the phase of average PE-VC value being sharply high, the lower number of investments embarks on the selectivity aspect. Seizing the opportunities to overcome the hurdles should be the motto of private equity investors to reach par excellence.
To know more interesting about this, you can consider our Investment Banking Training
How Can Freshers Build a Career in Investment Banking?
Competition within the investment banking industry has risen significantly, and as such, freshers often find it challenging to gain a foothold in the industry. We spoke to Anmol, a student of the investment banking training course to get his take on the course and understand how this course could help freshers become investment bankers.
Hey, my name is Anmol Indurkhya, and I am a B. Com graduate and an aspiring investment banker.
Finance has been a part of my life ever since I could read numbers. It has always fascinated me because I enjoy working with the share market, derivatives, fund accounting, equity derivatives and the like. After graduating, I began looking for an avenue into the investment banking industry and came across Imarticus Learning.
Based on your experience, what’s your opinion of the Investment Banking course?
The investment banking operations program at Imarticus is a short-term course but has long-term prospects. The course transforms freshers into job-ready investment banking professionals through the comprehensive curriculum, hands-on learning, and mentorship. Moreover, the course offers placements at leading banks, and this is one of the most essential aspects of the program according to me.
How has your personality changed since you joined Imarticus?
Before I joined Imarticus Learning, I was an introvert and couldn’t interact confidently with my peers and colleagues. This drawback was a challenge to overcome, however, during the course, the many presentations I gave, and the interactive sessions helped me open up. My communication skills have also improved because of soft skills training and mock interviews. Overall, my experience has been a great one.
Would you recommend the Investment banking course at Imarticus Learning?
Well, I already have recommended the course to two of my friends who want to enter investment banking! So yes, I definitely would recommend the course and would give 5-star to Imarticus Learning review
What, according to you, is the best part of the course?
First – I have been placed at BNP Paribas through Imarticus Learning. So yes, the placement services are one of the best things about the course.
Second – the trainers at Imarticus are exceptional, knowledgeable, and incorporate practical learning to a great extent. Kalpesh Sir and Lourdes Ma’am deserve special mention because they have been approachable and immensely supportive throughout the course.
Do you want to kick-start your investment banking career? Enquire now and find out how our investment banking courses will help you achieve your career objectives.
How do I become an Investment Banker?
The investment banking industry is one of the most competitive ones out there and breaking into it may seem like a monumental task. Here’s Nikita’s story on how she took the first step.
Do you want a career in investment banking but are wondering where to begin? You’re not alone. Nikita, a commerce graduate, was looking to enter the investment banking industry but didn’t know where to begin.
Well, we’re glad to say, she’s well on the path to her dream job. Here’s her story:
Hi, my name is Nikita Iyer and I have a bachelor’s degree in finance and investment analysis from Amity University, Noida. I am currently pursuing the investment banking operations course from Imarticus Learning in Mumbai.
I always wanted to build a career in investment banking but never had a clear idea about the path to achieving my ambition. A relative of mine who had completed a course at Imarticus recommended the investment banking training.
Truth be told, I was a little alarmed when I came across a couple of reviews that said Imarticus Learning is fake. My reaction – What? Turns out the reviews were baseless and I had nothing to worry about. I went through the course curriculum and the brochure spoke to a counselor at Imarticus and immediately enrolled for the program.
The best part about Imarticus is the guidance provided by the faculty even for the smallest problem that I faced.
On a scale of 1 – 5, I would rate the faculty a perfect 5.
The guest lectures also were an important part of the program and were very informative. The lecture covered options strategies and gave me a deep understanding of how options and securities are traded in the market.
As part of Imarticus Learning’s placement services, the team also reviewed my resume and helped me sharpen it. The faculty provided me with a lot of information about what to include and what to omit from my resume and helped me articulate my goals and objectives clearly and concisely.
I’m extremely happy with the progression of each module of the course.
The concepts that were taught were not just theoretical but also included plenty of practical applications. I was also exposed to the real world of investment banking through projects and trading simulations.
I would definitely recommend Imarticus because my learning experience has been fantastic so far.
Also Read: Ways to Get First Job At Investment Bank
Become an Investment Banker in 3 Months. Here’s How?
Shubhadeep’s transition from engineering to an investment banking job in three months truly is inspirational.
Career transitions are hard. Really hard.
Don’t we all occasionally have days when we step back from the daily grind of work and think – “If only I could be paid to do what I’m passionate about”?
Shubhadeep was having one of those days.
An engineering graduate, Shubhadeep was disappointed with the career opportunities that were presented to him after four years of college. He wanted to enter the world of finance, more specifically, he wanted to be an investment banker. The thing is, transitioning from engineering to investment banking is no piece of cake and he realized that.
Over a period of more than a week, Shubhadeep dived into researching the most effective means to achieve his ambitions. His brother, also an investment banker, gave positive reactions on Imarticus review glassdoor and pointed him toward the investment banking certifications. A face-to-face counseling session was the turning point and he decided to enroll for the investment banking course.
“The course is crisp and clear and the lectures are in-depth. It’s very easy to co-relate everything I study in class to the investment banking industry,” he says.
Three months after enrolling for the course, Shubhadeep has landed a job with SS&C GlobeOp and now works as an associate within the investor services division.
Isn’t that great? We think so.
Do you want to be three months away from an investment banking job? Click here and speak to our career experts today.