Investment Banking Analysts

High School

You’ll need stellar grades to get into a top college, so it’s important to work hard in high school. Take as many classes as possible in business, microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, accounting, mathematics, computer science, foreign language, English, and speech. Performing well in Advanced Placement classes will increase your chances of being accepted by a prestigious university.  

Postsecondary Education

Since so many people want to work as investment banking analysts, investment banks have their pick of the top candidates. They typically seek those with superior educational credentials [i.e., a degree from an Ivy League or other top tier school, excellent grades (minimum 3.50 GPA), active participation in business and investment clubs, and participation in at least one internship at a top investment bank, Big Four accounting firm, alternative investment firm, or another prominent employer]. Analysts typically have bachelor’s degrees in business, finance, accounting, economics, or a related major.

Analysts who participate in two-year analyst programs provided by “bulge bracket” banks (i.e., the world’s largest and most-profitable investment banks: Goldman Sachs, Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and UBS) complete two months of intensive on-the-job training that covers financial modeling, corporate finance and valuation, the use of software applications such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, and company rules and business practices. Some banks offer ongoing educational opportunities to their employees. For example, Goldman Sachs provides Goldman Sachs University (GSU), an internal training and development resource that features more than 4,000 classes offered in classroom, webcast, and e-learning formats. Each year, more than 98 percent of its employees attend one or more GSU programs.

Other Education or Training

Professional associations such as the CMT Association and CFA Institute provide continuing education classes, webinars, and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification

Certificates in investment banking and related areas are provided by colleges and universities. For example, City University of New York-Baruch College offers an Advanced Finance and Investment Principles Certificate Program. Classes include Introduction to Derivatives Markets, Debt and Fixed Income Markets, Advanced Financial Statement Analysis, Equity Markets & Portfolio Theory, Investment Banking, Entrepreneurial/Venture Finance, and Wealth Management. Contact schools in your area to learn about what types of educational opportunities are available.