How To Become An Investment Banker

As the financial markets are constantly changing, companies need expert advisors to help them sell stocks and bonds. Houston investment bankers provide this service.

Investment bankers work within three primary categories – Industry ‘Coverage’ Groups, Product Execution Groups, and Debt Bankers.

Bachelor’s Degree

Investment bankers are financial professionals who guide individuals and organizations toward wise investment decisions. They need strong math skills to crunch the numbers for funding opportunities, and a knowledge of economics to understand the regulations and laws that govern their clients’ industries.

They also need interpersonal skills and a strong understanding of how to pitch their services to potential investors. They may work with startups or large companies, and they must have the ability to make presentations that clearly communicate their expertise.

Students who want to pursue this career path should enroll in a bachelor’s degree program that includes courses in finance and business administration. These programs are designed to prepare you for the specific job duties of an investment banker, including financial analysis and reporting, financial modeling, financial law, and corporate financial management.

Master’s Degree

Many upper-level jobs in finance require a master’s degree or MBA. This includes positions in hedge fund management, corporate finance and venture capital.

As an investment banker, you advise and facilitate a client’s financial transactions. This includes helping them through complex and regulated events like mergers, acquisitions, and financing. You may also provide industry coverage, focusing on specific industries or types of commerce and reporting to stakeholders about changes and trends in the sector.

You need strong analytical skills to observe large sets of data and make decisions based on the findings. These skills are essential in this high-stress career because even the slightest mistake can affect your client’s business and future success.

A master’s in finance can help you stand out from the competition and receive more employment opportunities. It also provides you with a valuable networking opportunity to learn about the field from industry professionals.

Accredited Degree Program

If you’re looking to become an investment banker, an accredited degree program is a great place to start. Many schools offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in finance.

This type of degree can teach you about a variety of business subjects, including accounting, economics, finance and mathematics. It can also help you develop your analytical skills and hone your presentation skills.

An investment banker works with a variety of businesses to raise capital and advise them on how to manage their assets. These professionals need to be able to analyze large amounts of data to make accurate decisions about their clients’ financial health.

They also need to be able to create and present complex financial models. These are used to assess the viability of potential transactions, such as acquisitions, mergers and equity funding.

Securities License

A securities license is a certification that allows financial professionals to trade in the stock market. These professionals typically work for a major bank or corporation, and must hold a specific license before they can begin their career.

An investment banker needs a license to sell corporate securities, such as stocks and bonds. These securities are generally sold to investors through private placements or public offerings.

The securities license required for an investment banker includes the Series 79 exam, which is administered by FINRA. It measures knowledge of the critical functions of an investment banking representative, including advising on or facilitating debt or equity offerings through a private placement or public offering, and mergers and acquisitions.

Those interested in working in investment banking need to pass both the SIE and Series 79 exams, which are sponsored by a FINRA member firm or self-regulatory organization (SRO). The SIE is a prerequisite to the Series 79, and many students choose to take the SIE before the Series 79.