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Investment banking is one of the most prestigious and high-paying careers in finance, offering the opportunity to work on large financial transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising for companies. Investment bankers play a crucial role in advising clients on financial strategies, whether it’s raising capital through public offerings or navigating complex mergers. If you’re ambitious, analytical, and thrive in high-pressure environments, becoming an investment banker could be the right path for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to becoming an investment banker, the key skills you’ll need, and how to land your first role in this competitive industry.
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Interested in learning more? Why not check out: How to Become a Business Analyst
An investment banker provides financial advisory services to corporations, governments, and other institutions, helping them raise capital and navigate complex financial transactions. Investment bankers work in various areas, including:
Investment bankers work in fast-paced environments, often managing multiple deals simultaneously and working long hours to meet client demands.
Becoming an investment banker typically requires a strong educational background in finance, economics, or business.
The first step to becoming an investment banker is earning a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as:
During your undergraduate studies, focus on developing strong analytical, quantitative, and financial skills. Many top investment banks recruit directly from universities, so maintaining a high GPA and participating in extracurricular activities like finance clubs or investment groups can give you an edge.
While it’s possible to enter the investment banking field with just a bachelor’s degree, many professionals choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a master’s degree in finance to enhance their qualifications. An MBA from a top business school can significantly boost your chances of landing a position at a prestigious investment bank, particularly for those looking to advance to senior roles.
MBA programs often offer internships and networking opportunities that are critical for breaking into investment banking.
Investment banking is a highly analytical and demanding field that requires a combination of technical skills, business acumen, and interpersonal abilities. Here are some key skills to develop:
Financial modeling is a core skill for investment bankers, involving the use of Excel to create models that project a company’s financial performance. You’ll also need to understand valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.
Investment bankers work with large amounts of data to analyze company performance, market trends, and potential risks. Strong quantitative and analytical skills are essential for interpreting financial statements, assessing deal feasibility, and making informed recommendations to clients.
Investment bankers frequently pitch ideas and present financial models to clients. Effective communication and presentation skills are crucial for explaining complex financial concepts in a clear and compelling way, whether you’re presenting to corporate executives or potential investors.
Investment bankers are involved in negotiating the terms of financial transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, or capital raising. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to navigate high-stakes discussions are important for closing deals that benefit your clients.
As you build these skills, consider diversifying your income streams through real estate investing. Platforms like mogul allow you to invest in professionally managed real estate projects with as little as $250, offering a stable source of  income. With mogul, you can grow your wealth while focusing on your investment banking career.
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Breaking into investment banking requires practical experience, which can be gained through internships and entry-level positions. Here’s how to get started:
Most investment bankers start their careers by completing summer internships at investment banks during their undergraduate or MBA programs. Internships provide hands-on experience in financial modeling, valuation, and deal-making. These internships also offer a chance to network with professionals in the industry and may lead to a full-time job offer after graduation.
Investment banking internships typically involve:
After completing an internship, many aspiring investment bankers secure an analyst position. Most analysts are hired directly from undergraduate programs and work in this role for about two to three years. Analysts typically focus on:
Analysts often work long hours, but the position is highly rewarding and provides invaluable experience for advancing in the investment banking field.
For those who pursue an MBA, the next step is often securing an associate position at an investment bank. Associates typically come from MBA programs and have more responsibility than analysts, including managing analysts and working more closely with clients. They focus on deal execution, negotiating terms, and advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising.
To succeed as an investment banker, you’ll need a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. Here are the most critical skills to develop:
Investment bankers must be highly skilled in financial modeling and valuation techniques. This includes creating models to forecast a company’s financial performance, determining the value of companies, and advising clients on potential investments or acquisitions. Being proficient in Excel and financial software is crucial.
Investment bankers analyze large amounts of financial data and use this information to make informed decisions. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for understanding complex financial situations and identifying solutions that align with clients’ goals.
Bankers must be able to clearly communicate complex financial information to clients, both verbally and through written presentations. Excellent communication skills are necessary for presenting financial analyses, pitching deals, and building relationships with clients.
Investment banking is a relationship-driven industry. Building strong networking and relationship-building skills is key to securing new clients and maintaining long-term business relationships. Bankers must be able to foster trust and rapport with clients to win deals and retain business.
As you develop your skills and experience in investment banking, it’s also important to consider long-term wealth-building strategies. One way to diversify your financial portfolio is by investing in real estate. With platforms like mogul, you can invest in professionally managed real estate projects for as little as $250, earning  income while building a solid financial foundation. With mogul, you can access premium real estate projects, benefit from property appreciation, and enjoy tax advantages.
While a degree and experience are important, certain certifications and licenses can enhance your career as an investment banker.
To work as an investment banker, you’ll likely need to obtain the Series 7 and Series 63 licenses. These licenses are required for individuals who sell securities and work in investment banking roles. The Series 7 license allows bankers to trade securities such as stocks and bonds, while the Series 63 license focuses on state-level regulations for securities sales.
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is another valuable credential for investment bankers. The CFA program focuses on investment analysis, portfolio management, and ethical standards in finance. Earning the CFA designation can boost your career prospects, especially if you plan to work in equity research, asset management, or hedge funds.
For those interested in risk management, the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is highly regarded. FRMs are experts in managing market, credit, and operational risks, making this certification useful for investment bankers involved in risk analysis and mitigation strategies.
Success in investment banking often depends on your ability to network and build strong professional relationships. Here are a few strategies to grow your network:
Investment banking is known for its structured career progression. Here’s an overview of the typical career path:
Most investment bankers start as analysts and are promoted to associate after 2-3 years if they perform well. Associates take on more responsibilities, such as managing analysts, working directly with clients, and leading deal execution.
After several years as an associate, high-performing individuals can be promoted to Vice President (VP) and eventually Director. VPs are responsible for client relationships, pitching deals, and overseeing the work of associates and analysts.
The top level in investment banking is the Managing Director (MD) role. MDs are responsible for generating new business, managing high-profile client relationships, and closing major deals. Reaching this level typically takes over 10 years of experience in the industry, but it comes with substantial financial rewards.
Becoming an investment banker is a highly competitive but rewarding career path. With the right education, practical experience, and networking, you can build a successful career in investment banking and work on high-profile financial deals. Whether you choose to work in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), capital markets, or corporate finance, investment banking offers numerous opportunities for growth and financial success.
As you advance in your investment banking career, it’s also important to think about building long-term wealth. Platforms like mogul allow you to invest in professionally managed real estate projects with low minimums, helping you diversify your financial portfolio and generate  income. Founded by former Goldman Sachs executives, mogul offers investors the opportunity to benefit from property appreciation, monthly dividends, and tax advantages. Start investing with mogul today and secure your financial future.
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Additional reading: How to Become a Financial Advisor
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making any financial or investment decisions.