In recent years, the banking business has expanded into new areas. And, investment banking is one such domain. Notably, an investment banker plays a vital role in raising capital to fund his/her clients' activities. A career in investment banking is gaining popularity for its stability, security, and excellent salary packages. Considering this, many financial professionals have shown an inclination towards banking courses. Read ahead to explore more about the investment banking career.
Career in Investment Banking
Investment bankers advise companies on large and complicated transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, business structuring, and debt and equity issuances. They work with management teams of their clients to market and sell companies, identify potential targets to acquire, or bargain deals. Also, investment bankers suggest the best terms and timing for a capital raise.
To be a successful investment banker, you need to be extremely attentive to detail and good in mathematics. Also, it is vital to have impressive communication skills. Besides, aspiring investment bankers must be interested in deals rather than following market updates or investing in public sector holdings.
You need to have relevant work and leadership experience in order to take up investment banking roles, such as a teller, client associate, banker, branch manager, financial associate, financial analyst and portfolio analyst. Additionally, aspirants having good academic credentials can go for other financial career paths in the investment banking domain that include financial planning and equity analysis.
Notably, it gets a little difficult to get into investment banking in the mid-levels, so it is best to start your related journey early in your career when you are an undergraduate, recently graduated or done with an MBA programme. Also, you can easily pursue your interest in investment banking when you’re already a C-level executive in some other industry.
Tips on Getting into Investment Banking
Here are a few things that you must consider before embarking on a journey to be an investment banker.
- Investment banking roles are a little demanding, but they are financially rewarding too. Though working with one of the top investment banks can pose some challenges, rapid salary progression is the norm this industry strictly follows. It is to be noted that being aware of things that are going to come your way helps you stay focused on what is required.
- Various roles having some similarities but requiring different skill sets are available in the investment banking domain. For the ones in the operations team, excellent numerical and analytical skills are necessary as they are responsible for processing transactions. On the other hand, corporate investment bankers offer strategic advice to clients, need to be good at negotiations and hold strong interpersonal skills.
- You need not have your undergraduate degree in a finance-related subject. But, it is important that your programme has a strong maths focus and includes subjects like economics, business studies or management. If you already have work experience in the financial markets, then there are many programmes available that can help you acquire specialist investment banker qualifications.
- It is a good idea to go for an internship to acquire key technical skills while working on different deals. It is to be noted that many financial institutions (EY, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and NatWest Group - NatWest Markets) provide summer internships in the areas of corporate or investment banking. These internship programmes let aspiring investment bankers gain the perfect grounding with the help of practical skills training and on-the-job experience.
- Register for different events, including information sessions and seminars that offer opportunities to interact with different employers. You can also sign up for virtual talks that can help you connect with people with similar interests and be a part of the investment banking community.
Conclusion
Investment banking is one of the most rewarding options when it comes to financial career paths. If you want to pursue a career in investment banking, then focus on developing an eye for detail, getting command over language, gaining market knowledge and acquiring analytical skills. If you have any queries related to Investment banking courses, then reach out to Imarticus Learning.
