Investment banks provide financial advice and services to large corporations, high-net-worth individuals and governments. These services are traditionally in corporate finance, which is advice and sponsorship of mergers and acquisitions; capital markets, which are services associated to raising capital through the equity and debt markets; and trading on behalf of clients in the markets. Investment banks also trade with their own capital in the markets.
Despite recent bad press, investment banks are still investing heavily in their graduate recruitment programmes. A career in investment banking is a well established, high-flying career choice for exceptional graduates who are not shy of hard work.
Role:
There are many roles within investment banking, many of which are very well paid:
- Front Office roles are in direct contact with clients and the markets
- Middle office roles manage the risk of the front office and ensure that the bank makes a profit
- Back office roles involve supporting company operations and ensuring that the business can function
- As a graduate-analyst expect to get responsibility early. Front office roles, especially, demand long hours and hard work, but the rewards can be substantial. Most investment banks recruit almost exclusively from their summer internship programmes, so applying to these is essential if you want a job in an IB.
Skills required:
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Integrity
- Interest in finance and the markets
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Advantages:
- Responsibility early in this high-powered industry
- Very generous remuneration package, with a salary often far higher than the graduate average, as well as joining/performance bonuses
- Exposure to global markets and the world of corporate business
- Opportunity to use advanced mathematical skills and mathematical modelling
Things to consider:
- This is a highly competitive sector; competition is fierce
- Hours are often long and unsocial
- With responsibility comes pressure and expectation to perform
Other University of Southampton sites
Links to external websites
- 'Unofficial' Guide to Banking - Deutsche Bank
- JP Morgan
- Morgan Stanley Opportunities
- Deutsche Bank Students & Graduates
- Goldman Sachs Careers
The University cannot accept responsibility for external websites.