Imarticus Learning’s Investment Banking Course Powers Career Transitions – Here’s Sanjita’s Story

 

Transitioning from consumer banking to investment banking, while improbable, is absolutely possible. We had a chat with Sanjita, a retail banking professional and student of the Certified Investment Banking training program at Imarticus Learning.

Here’s her story.

My name is Sanjita Pednekar. I have a master’s degree in commerce and graduated in management studies back in 2014. I am currently a part of batch 84 of the Certified Investment Operations course at Imarticus.

I heard about Imarticus on the internet. I was working in the retail banking industry but have always wanted to enter the investment banking division. I began looking for courses that would teach me the requisite knowledge and help me become an investment banker. I first did a bit of research into the skills an investment banker needs to learn and then went through the program webpage and curriculum. I found that the program has an overall view of investment banking and would build the skills that the industry needs. Moreover, Imarticus Learning reviews were very positive, and these were the factors that convinced me to enroll.

I would rate the course 5/5 

The best thing about the course is the comprehensive curriculum that’s precise and practically oriented. Each lesson is co-related to hands-on case studies and projects, and that’s what helped me through my learning journey. The learning management system – Learntron, also is an excellent resource and was accessible 24/7.

Guest lectures were conducted periodically by industry experts, and they were invaluable 

The lectures gave me a perspective of investment banking from an industry point of view. One of the sessions that I clearly remember and can relate to was on an options strategy. It helped me understand how the options strategy works in the market and how it can impact the derivatives market.

The resume building process was a key highlight of the program

When I compare my old resume with the post-Imarticus one, there certainly is a drastic change. I’ve been able to present myself effectively through my resume because of the prompt guidance from the faculty.

The faculty get a superstar rating from me, especially Lourdes Maam

The entire faculty was approachable and friendly and would take extra care to clear all my doubts and questions.

I’d recommend the course to everyone looking for a career in investment banking; it will give you an edge over the competition – guaranteed!

Are you interested in an investment banking career? Click here and speak to a career specialist now.

What Are The Ways of Reducing Financial Risk?

Synopsis

One of the biggest things that people learn in investment banking is how to undertake risk and manage it, which makes it a lucrative career to pursue. Here’s how. 

Today, everyone wants to pursue a career in investment banking. One of the biggest reasons which individuals are training in investment banking course and then finding a job in the field is due to the fact that it is a high risk, high pay-out kind of a career.

The industry employees individuals who are driven, hardworking and smart. It requires dedication and the job involves long hours. Many educational institutes are providing certification courses in Investment Banking to individuals in order to pursue this career.

 

Investment Banking Course

One of the biggest things they teach you when it comes to investment banking courses is assessing different kinds of risks for your clients. From operational risk, legal risk to financial risk, there are many things to consider before launching and growing a business. Large multinational organizations go to investment bankers to help them assess the different aspects of running a business including raising capital, risks associated with the business and growth trajectory.

Those who are pursuing a career in investment banking need to understand the financial risk a business is willing to take in order to grow and provide solutions to mitigate or manage the risk. Here are some top ways financial risk can be managed.

Perform a Risk Assessment

At the onset of the business, investment bankers need to take a stock of all the various kinds of risks associated with running a particular business and prepare a risk assessment plan. This will give the business an opportunity to take stock, build ideas and have a plan in place to reduce or mitigate risk. One example that stands out is, it is a good idea to get certain equipment insured so that some of the risks can be transferred to insurance parties.

Maintain a contingency plan

Since we know that every business involves risk a good way to proceed when it comes to taking the business to the next level is by ensuring that there is a plan B. A contingency plan with adequate funds is a good approach to managing financial risks. This means that if you are in a difficult position, you will be able to look at the second plan of action for answers

Reduce Risk of Operation

Sometimes operational risk can lead to financial losses which mean that it is also a financial risk. Having a good management infrastructure in place, keeping employees happy, performing due diligence minimizing credit risk can all go a long way when it comes to reducing operational risk. Operational risk also can be external that is legal issues which can crop up along the way when it comes to running a business. Making sure to consider all the legal and state implications while setting up a business can go a long way when it comes to running a business.

Conclusion

Once investment bankers have learned to deal with various kinds of financial risks, they will be in a better position to help their clients grow and succeed in business.

How Do You Define Financial Risk?

 

Synopsis

Investment banking is one of the most sought after career paths today. Learning how to help companies deal with financial risk is at the heart of investment banking. 

Investment banking jobs are prestigious, lucrative and come with significant risk as well. The financial sector hires individuals who have not only undergone investment banking training but also are smart, hardworking and driven. Investment bankers work primarily revolves around helping big corporates who are their clients make informed financial decisions by taking stock of the various pros and cons. A key aspect of this job also involves assessing the various types of risks when it comes to running a business.

Financial risk is one of the most important things businesses consider while looking at expanding or simple day to day operations. It is one of the top concerns when it comes to finding capital to run the business, prepare contingency plans and also to forecast the growth trajectory of the business. For those wanting to pursue the certification courses in investment banking, this is the biggest lesson to learn.

When it comes to investing, one of the first things that individuals learn about in investment banking courses, is risk management. Here are the different types of risks and how to manage it.

 

Financial Risk

One of the high priority risks for business is a financial risk and it can be categorized into various types such as market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, and legal risk. Market risk is the risk associated with stocks, the interest rate in the stock market which is not in the control of the organization. Liquidity risk, on the other hand, can be further classified as asset liquidity risk and funding liquidity risk. Funding liquidity risk arises when there are not enough buyers for the product or service. External threats for a business include the legal risk that is the potential of getting lawsuits. If a company has to face financial losses or legal issues then it can be considered as legal risk.

Operational Risk

One of the biggest risks associated with a business is an operational risk and it predominantly revolves around mismanagement or any other technical failures.  It can also mean fraudulent activities or risk of fraudulent activities that every business must think about.  Operating a business also involves a risk of losing employees due to bad management which also comes under this type of risk.

Business Risk

Sometimes the very nature of the business may involve risks such as risk the type of jobs carried out by individuals, diseases associated with carrying out the job and political scenarios, etc. This means that the investment for this type of business from the very beginning will be very high as it will need to account for the type of job itself.

Conclusion

Learning how to manage financial risk for the clients is an important attribute that investment bankers must learn in order to succeed in their career.

Media Professional Turns to Investment Banking – Rashmi’s Incredible Career Transition

Rashmi Shetty’s ambition was to work with a top-tier global investment bank and that was specifically why she enrolled for Imarticus Learning’s Certified Investment Banking Operations Course.
How did we know that? Well, Rashmi’s first question on orientation day was “When will Goldman Sachs conduct their placement drive?”
Rashmi, a media graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and a master’s degree in Mass Communication, yearned for a career in the dynamic investment banking industry but encountered a roadblock – “Where do I begin?” She came across Imarticus’ investment banking course, received positive Imarticus Learning reviews from her peers and decided to take the leap.
Investment Banking Course
Considering the fact that Rashmi had no background in finance, it’s no surprise that the initial stages of the course were a tad bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, the program’s focus on everything from the basics of finance to advanced derivatives and commodities meant that even without a ‘finance degree’, Rashmi could effortlessly keep up with the learning curve. “This investment banking course is very good for anyone looking for a long-term career in investment banking,” she says.
What Rashmi liked most about the program was the practical approach to learning and the introduction of innovative teaching methods through a combination of classroom training, self-paced online lectures, and quizzes.
Even before completing the course, during her second semester, Goldman Sachs conducted a placement drive in Bangalore and Rashmi was one of the candidates for the interview. Imarticus Learning’s placement team urged her on, preparing her to face the interview through resume building workshops, interview prep, and mock interviews. Rashmi left Bangalore with an offer letter from Goldman Sachs in hand, ecstatic that she was one step closer to achieving her Investment Banking dreams.
“The interview went really well, I got placed at Goldman Sachs, and I’m so happy about it,” Rashmi exclaimed as soon as she walked into class the next day.
Are you an aspiring investment banker?
Enquire about Imarticus’ Investment Banking Operations Program and start your success story today.

Top Five Fiction Reads Set in The World of Investment Banking

Investment banking is an immensely specialized field wherein financial corporations termed as investments banks assist public and private commercial entities in complex transactions. So, it is natural to have much literature that surrounds this broad topic. To save your precious time in finding out the best fiction books available on investment banking, here are the top five handpicked books that are set amidst the world of investment banking.

Lets us know the thought flow of various authors in these fiction books on investment banking:

1. Free to trade by Michael Ridpath
The journey of this fiction book brings out the insights of the author upon the possible business complexities. This is a novel of suspense by a British author, where you see the narrator, Paul Murray is an ex-Olympic runner and a bond trader in London whose life turns upside down when his colleague drowns into the Thames.  Paul suspects it to be a murder, whereas the police suspect it to be an accident or suicide. Free to Trade being Ridpath financial thriller where the narrator Paul sets on a road to London, Manhattan and Las Vegas to untap the fraudulent activities involved in the colleague’s death. The author has told his story well through a skillful narrative of the protagonist.

2. The Chairman by Stephen Frey 
Shedding light on the darker side of the wall street, The Chairman portrays the power and risks faced by the young Christian Gillette who heads the throne of a towering firm after the sudden demise of its owner. A phase where Gillette escapes an explosion throws light on the undeniable risks that come along with power. The journey of Gillette when he takes the helm includes destruction, success, failure, attacks, betrayal, loyalty and assassination. The world of billion-dollar deals in this fiction gets exciting when the enemies try to hold the success ladder of Gillette. This highly finance-centric thriller has a cutting edge and intense that is portrayed in Stephen Frey’s novels surrounded in the financial world.

3. The Predator by Micheal Ridpath
Top investment bank Bloomfield Weiss has taught its employees to be predators, winners and killer deal makers. During the bank’s training program period, Chris and Lenka along with a gang of friends get on an upfront confrontation on their failed love story, when one of the group dies the rest of the members are left to cover up the truth. After a decade, Chris finds Lenka murdered and his world falls apart as he has to tackle the pressure of the company to keep it afloat along with the loss of his friends and business partners. The author has provided a master class financial thriller which one cannot afford to miss.

4. The price of Risk by Christopher Reich
This is yet another impeccable financial thriller by Christopher Reich that brings espionage to Wall Street. Being the head of the investment bank Comstock Partners, Bobby gets bewildered by a threatening text message from his father right before his death. Bobby’s investigation gets him trapped in an unruly way with the US target. This journey is enlightened by short, fast-paced scenarios, including a chapter where the wife of Bobby is also entangled to the same conspiracy. Reich confines this novel brilliantly into the world of finance, and international terrorism entangles Bobby in identifying the killer of his father.

5. The Day Trader by Stephen W. Frey
Augustus McKnight, who is having a dead-end life being a sales representative of a paper company, earns a lump sum by investing in the stock market. Even before he could reveal the windfall, his wife confronts him about her illicit affair. The death of Augustus’s wife makes him the beneficiary of million dollar life insurance.  To get over the devastating loss of his wife Augustus plunges into rigorous stock market trading and finds that he is just a pawn and a target in the exhilarating world of finance. This novel narrates the gamble between life and fortune of Augustus with nerve-wracking suspense.

Bottom Line
These fascinating stories tailored in the world of finance are an absolute treat for book lovers. The impeccable knowledge of the authors in the manipulative world of investment banking has led them to display a peek into the other side of investment banking. These books will undoubtedly be an excellent choice to widen your knowledge of the industry and the risks associated with it. Albeit in a fun way!

To know more details regarding Fiction in the world of Investment Banking, you can also consider our an Investment Banking Certification.

How To Thrive in An Investment Banking Career?

Investment banking is a lucrative and passionate aspect of the financial sector which can be pursued by anyone provided you have the grit and drive for it. Read on to know how?
A richly rewarding career, investment banking can be an option for those who have an eye for numbers and detail. Working in investment banking industry does not only mean long hours and highly volatile markets and stressful life. It is also an opportunity for those who are interested in setting up their own career trajectory and succeed. Today, thousands of individuals are looking for investment banking course in order to consider it as a career.
Investment banking sector does require a lot of sacrifices and hard work and dedication. That being said, it is also one of those careers that has a high rate of job satisfaction. The sense of accomplishment, high salaries and a symbol of respect and dignity are some of the things that come with pursuing a career in investment banking.
Here are the top characters of those who want to have a career in investment banking.
fintech certification
Positivity 
Since investment banking is a high-pressure work portfolio, it is not only important to have the skillset to thrive, it is also important to always have a cool and collected mindset towards work. A positive and growth-based attitude goes a long way in the investment banking industry. Being able to turn a dynamic and high-intensity atmosphere to a happy and positive one can help increase the overall productivity of the company.
Passion comes First
First and foremost quality one must have while pursuing an investment banking training is the passion to go great work. One must be able to completely immersive oneself in the task and love what you do in order to succeed in investment banking as a career.
Quality vs Quantity
Everyone who works in investment banking will tell you that it is important to focus on getting quality over quantity. Those who approach work with an attitude to just churn out cases in a factory mode will have difficulty thriving in this industry. Highly focused and specialized work on one factor of the work in order to achieve the best quality is the approach one must take while working in investment banking.
Resilience
Another great attribute that investment bankers have is the ability to build long lasting relationships through excellent communication skills and also be to sustain and retain them. Every time one facing a roadblock, one must be able to adapt and be resilient. This trait is important in this field as the dynamics of the industry is ever changing. So one must be able to make quick, smart decisions and continue to do the same for a long period of time. This also involves nurturing relationships with clients.
Conclusion
For those who are proficient in finance in their schooling years, investment banking is an option to consider for a successful career.

Is a Career in Investment Banking Lucrative For Any Individual?

 

For many, investment banking is a career that gives the best of all worlds-job satisfaction, money and a respectable lifestyle. Read onto to find out why everyone wants to join this industry.

Fancy suits and briefcases and a gait with pride are only the exterior attributes of an investment banker. Today, many are vying to join the extremely competitive and challenging workforce of an investment banking company. This is predominantly due to the fact that a career in investment banking is highly lucrative and rewarding. Many educational institutes are also providing investment banking certifications to help support the influx of candidates who want to pursue a career in this field. Individuals who have completed an investment banking course are prolific, intelligent and detail-oriented which many banking firms look for. 

Here are the top reasons why many individuals are considering a career in investment banking.  

High Salaries

One of the biggest reasons many people join this industry is due to the fact that most banking and fintech firms provide high salaries to both freshers and seasoned professionals. This is mainly due to the fact that these are the people who are dealing with money, to begin with. Everyone is highly competitive and earning big pay cheques which can support a good luxurious lifestyle.

Interesting work portfolio 

Investment bankers get to work on deals and plan strategies for their clients which in itself is fun work. Many get to be part of massive decision making when it comes to large MNCs in various industries thereby adding curiosity and challenge to the work.  Individuals also get to work with the smartest and most driven bankers in the financial sector, thereby creating a good work atmosphere. From raising capital for a startup to looking at mergers or acquisitions, there are many responsibilities that one gets to take care of as an investment banker. 

Symbol of Pride

 Investment banking is a field that is revered the world over due to the competitive and volatile nature of the industry. It is a matter of pride and dominance which drives many individuals to join the field. The job adds a prestigious feeling and helps them achieve respect in the community. The earnings derived from an investment banking career can set you up for a comfortable and respectable lifestyle and also help individuals better plan their own personal investments. 

Conclusion

Investment banking is a great career choice if you are passionate about numbers, you are driven and looking for a luxurious lifestyle. 

What Are The Career Prospects in Corporate Banking?

Corporate banking is a fantastic field for dynamic, driven individuals who have a passion for numbers. In this article, we try to outline the various career choices available in corporate banking.
Corporate banking is commonly known as business banking, and it deals with corporate customers whereas retail banking focuses predominantly on individuals. Everyone from small to large businesses avails their financial services from corporate banking companies. One of the best things about joining the corporate banking workforce is that there is no niche skill set that needs to be acquired in order to thrive in this field. Those with an undergraduate degree can get a certification in investment banking course and can pursue a career in the field. 
Jobs in this industry are highly prestigious and require individuals who are hardworking, smart and ambitious. It is challenging, and one gets to work with the best of talent in the financial sector. These career opportunities in corporate banking are also high salaries roles which means that one can look forward to a luxurious and comfortable lifestyle. One of the best things about corporate banking is the fact that one can learn different types of functions on a rotational basis within an organization before specializing in one.
There are many career options that one can consider after finishing a course in investment banking training.
Investment Banking
One of the largest job opportunities in corporate banking is investment banking. Enabling companies to understand the financial attributes of their business including how much capital to raise, how to manage their assets and also look into mergers and acquisitions is something that investment bankers do. Anyone with the right qualification, hard work and passion can pursue a career in investment banking.
Relationship Manager
Just like in retail banking, corporate banking also requires individuals who have good communications skills and can build lasting relationships with clients. A relationship manager in corporate banking is responsible for acquiring, retaining and ensuring customer success. For example, an associate corporate banker who is looking to take on additional responsibilities can establish a strong relationship with the client and upsell the additional services provided by corporate banks.
Trading
The stock market and trading can be another option in corporate banking.  It is a high risk and high-pressure job which one can pursue and achieve great rewards. Individuals who have pursued investment banking training can also work in the stock market.
Auditing
Auditing is the process of organizing a company’s financial records and makes sure that the board is aware of everything. If one is organized, methodical and can thrive in a high-pressure environment, then auditing is an option for you. Auditors have a deep knowledge of the companies workings and are able to provide strategic inputs when it comes to taking business decisions thereby aiding the success and growth of a company.
Conclusion
Corporate banking has many different career paths that one can pursue in order to accomplish a successful career trajectory.

Is Online Financial Modeling Training in Advanced Excel Beneficial?

Is Online Financial Modeling Training in Advanced Excel Beneficial?

Investment banks provide financial services to corporations, companies, and governments based on their expert knowledge of finance-related concepts. These services can include raising capital, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and managing money markets. People who work at investment banks have to not only have a deep understanding of finance and accounting but should also be able to crunch large amounts of data in order to derive conclusions from improving financial portfolios.

One of the main tools used to crunch this data in Microsoft Excel. In order to have a career in investment banking, you will have to crunch huge amounts of data sets and work on large financial models. For such a scenario, Excel proves itself to be an invaluable financial data analysis tool.

Since the scope and range of the work are very large and varied, it is imperative to have an advanced understanding of how Excel works. This will allow you to use Excel effectively and efficiently while allowing you to manage the data. Knowing the right shortcuts will reduce the amount of time you will spend crunching numbers and having a good knowledge of Excel will also teach you how to sift through large data sets to glean the right information and patterns.

Excel is used to generate financial modeling which is a key element of investment banking. In fact, any investment banker will attest to the emphasis laid on Excel during their investment banking training. With Excel, you will be able to use your knowledge in finance, business metrics, and accounting to make forecasts of a company in the future. This allows the company to see their progress through hard numbers and will enable them to make decisions that are good for their company.

Financial modelling can be of many types, focusing on certain scenarios. Company A might be looking to increase its footprint in a new market. As an investment banker, you can propose to the company that acquiring Company B which has already made inroads into the said market will greatly benefit them. However, this claim will have to be backed by hard numbers. This is where Excel plays a role. Using the software, you can crunch large numbers of data related to Company B’s numbers, the cost of acquisition for Company A, and how and when the investment will pay off in the future.

Another scenario is when Company A is looking to raise capital but does not want to approach banks for a loan due to the high-interest rates. An investment bank can crunch numbers using Excel to suggest releasing an IPO.

There are many online advanced Excel courses available that are geared towards improving your skills in finance. Most of these courses are free and will help you gain an insight into the world of banking while also giving you important, time-saving tools that will prove essential in your finance career.

Do make sure that you look around the various courses and select one that fills in the gaps of knowledge you might have regarding Excel. You can learn how to use Excel at any stage in your education or career. An investment banking course might not focus on developing an understanding of Excel, and you might have to learn it elsewhere.

Start a Career in Investment Banking – A Definitive Guide

 

An investment banker is responsible for raising or securing money for corporations or firms to fund their operations. Their scope of work includes ushering companies through complex processes such as acquisitions, mergers, and IPOs. In order to do this, investment bankers should have immediate and in-depth knowledge of how financial markets and forces work along with the legal requirements.

If you are looking to start a career in investment banking, then there are several steps you can take in order to become a successful one. One of the first criteria that you must meet is getting a bachelor’s degree. While a degree in math, finance, or accounting is preferable, you can become an investment banker with any degree. While in college, take up any electives that offer insight into finance and work closely with professors who teach finance.

During the break before your last year of college, apply for internships at all the investment banking firms. Even if you do not like some of the firms, interviewing with them will give you experience and you’ll know what to expect. Secure an internship for two to three months and build relationships within the firm.

You could also go a step further and enroll yourself in an industry relevant investment banking course that will round out your resume and make you a valuable hire. These courses are designed to give you in-depth knowledge of financial products, operational risks, and regulation. Most of these courses also prepare you to take up finance related certification.

 

Investment Banking Course

After you have finished your bachelor’s degree, apply to all the placement opportunities your college offers. Be sure to create a CV that is concise and to the point. Do not have a CV that is longer than a single page and keep it professional while also including all your extra-curricular activities. At this stage, you should focus on the interview process as this is the make or break point.

Read up on financial developments that have happened in the past year. You do not need an expert level of understanding of the events but a basic idea of what is happening in the financial world and its concepts. You will also be asked basic questions on the concepts of investment banking and it will serve you well to study the answers to them beforehand.

If you have had investment banking training before at college or in an institute, you will be prepared for the interview more than your fellow college mates. However, it is still important that you do your homework before going for the interview. Read up on the firm you are interviewing with and focus on their recent deals.

It is also important that you admit that you don’t know the answer to a particular question instead of giving an answer that you’ve just made up. These firms aren’t looking for someone with all the answers, rather they are looking for someone who has the correct mindset and attitude.