Investment banker job profile
What does an investment banker do?
Investment bankers are employed by banks, but offer support to clients in a variety of industries. An investment banker’s main role is to provide a range of financial services to companies and governments. As an investment banker, you will use your expertise to advise your clients on how best to reach their financial goals.
Duties of an investment banker
Typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Implementing long and short-term financial plans
- Recognising new business opportunities
- Working with other professionals, such as lawyers and accountants, to help your clients
- Creating financial models
- Structuring and negotiating financial deals
- Researching new marketing conditions and developments
Investment banker working environment and hours
Investment banking is one of the most highly paid jobs available. Because of this, they work long hours – sometimes working up to fifteen hours a day. Although the job is mainly based on weekdays, you will be expected to work over weekends at certain points, especially as you are approaching crucial stages in your projects.
Investment banking is an international career, so you may be expected to work with people all over the world. Working within many different time zones means your work schedule may vary.
Key skills to become an investment banker
Self-motivationYou will need a lot of passion and drive to succeed at what you do, working in a high energy environment over long hours. |
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TeamworkInvestment bankers are only one part of the financial sector, and you will be expected to work alongside other experts and professionals. |
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Numerical skillsYour clients will be relying on you to make important decisions regarding their investments and finances, so a confidence in numbers is essential. |
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CommunicationYou will be working with a wide variety of people within your company, as well as clients from all over the world. You will also be networking, meeting firms and other bankers to create strong relationships and contacts. |
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Analytical skillsAs a financial expert, you will need to analyse data to ensure you are providing the best service to your clients. |
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CreativitySometimes a career as an investment banker means you will have to think outside the box. Investments bankers come from a range of different backgrounds, each bringing different things to the role. |
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Ability to work in a fast-paced environmentYou will have to handle fast moving and high pressure situations, constantly adapting and multitasking. |
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Commercial awarenessYou will need to have a strong understanding of business structures and how businesses are positioned. |
Qualifications and training
To become an investment banker, you will first need a university degree. To be accepted on to your degree course, you will need to achieve high grades in your A Level or Foundation programme. The higher grades you achieve at this point, the better university you can attend. Graduating from a high-ranking university can mean better career prospects are available to you.
A Levels at Bellerbys College offer a good range of subjects to prepare you for a career in investment banking. The A Levels you choose will depend on what degree you choose to study at University, but some good options include:
You may also choose to focus on a subject area by studying a foundation programme in Business, Finance and Management.
Investment banks hire their employees from all disciplines, not just those with finance degrees. As long as you have a good university degree (2:1 or above), you can pursue a career as an investment banker.
You may also want to consider completing an internship with an investment bank. Many companies offer full-time internships to recent graduates, with applications open to university students.
You could also choose to spend your university holidays working in an investment bank. As well as gaining practical experience, showing you are dedicated to your career will help you to stand out to employers.
Once you have started your career as an investment banker, there are a variety of additional qualifications you could gain. These credentials include:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
After interning and achieving an undergraduate degree, your first role will typically be as an analyst. These are usually for two or three years, training you for higher roles.
You can soon progress to an associate role before eventually working your way up to vice president. With lots of experience you could move into an executive director role or even managing director.
Investment banker career path
You will gain a wide range of transferable skills during your investment banking career. By working in a larger bank, you will be able to work with bigger clients and complete bigger projects. However, working in a smaller bank could mean faster career progression opportunities.
If you chose to work only within investment banks, you will find they are split into three main categories:
- International investment banks (e.g. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley)
- Investment banking departments of commercial banks (e.g. Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Citigroup)
- Independent investment banks (e.g. Rothschild & Co., Greenhill & Co.)
You can also use the skills you have gained in a variety of other careers such as stockbroking, as well as other financial roles in investment or capital firms.