What do you need to become an Investment Banker?

Have you always dreamt of becoming a high-profile financial professional with

handsome pay?

Haven’t we all?

Becoming an investment banker brings you closer to achieving all your career goals and more.

Although having a bachelor’s is critical, it won’t cut the cake anymore. Instead, you need specialized knowledge and industry-relevant experience to join the group of highly sought-after financial professionals.

Everyone knows where we want to be, but very few of us know how to get there. So if you want to become an investment banker but don’t know where to seek the right guidance, we suggest you look no further than IMS Proschool.

And, IMS Proschool is the right place to gain an in-depth understanding of the core subjects while becoming job-ready at the end of one year.

Overview of Association of Investment Bankers of India

Before diving into the nitty-gritty details of investment banking, let’s familiarize ourselves with the history of investment banking in India and its current status.

The Association of Investment Bankers of India started in 1993 to regulate its members’ ethical and legal practices and promote industry expansion. It is recognized by SEBI – Securities and Exchange Board of India – as a regulatory body that lays down standards and establishes guidelines for investment bankers.

The year 2021 was the best for the investment banking industry in India as the investment bankers made record-breaking Rs 2200 crore, riding on high-value IPOs and transforming tech unicorn start-ups into listed entities. As a result, despite the pandemic’s economic impact, India’s investment banking industry surged, hitting a 3-year high of $1.03 billion in revenue in 2020.

India’s investment banking sector is alive and kicking, and it is time you became a part of this booming sector. But who exactly is an investment banker, and what are their roles and responsibilities?

Who is an Investment Banker?

An investment banker is a specialized financial professional providing a complete range of financial services to governments, investors, and businesses. They provide financial service solutions to get loans, raise stock capital, deal in stocks and bonds, negotiate mergers and acquisitions, manage investments and allocate resources. In addition, they act as the link between the investor and the company.

An investment banker would work for a financial institution such as banks, hedge funds, corporations, and others to primarily raise capital, help mergers and acquisitions, and help with hedge funds, mutual funds, and debt and equity advisory.

What are the roles and responsibilities of Investment bankers?

An investment banker is a financial professional who uses his specialized knowledge, number-crunching skills, analytics capabilities, and communication skills in mergers, acquisitions, capital raising, mutual funds, and investments.

Investment banking is a huge blanket term that can include an entry-level position to a higher decision-making level. However, some of the roles and responsibilities of investment bankers include,

• Equity Financing

An investment banker helps companies finance their growth by arranging for the sale of bonds or stocks. The investment banker will also draft a prospectus for investors before the company launches its IPO or initial public offering. After that, they handle the entire process from marketing, media planning, and SEBI approvals.

• Underwriting Deals

In addition to raising capital, investment bankers also underwrite deals by taking up the risk of financing by buying the shares from issuers and selling the same to buyers. Then, the bankers sell the shares at a profit or markup for their employer’s benefit to generate profit.

• Arranging Financing

One of an investment banker’s main roles is to help businesses raise capital through bonds or shares. Companies issue bonds to finance their growth plans, and an investment banker oversees the process and gets the documentation and approvals ready.

• Dealing with Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions could be a long-drawn process with a lot of planning. Investment bankers are called upon to play an advisory role and help evaluate offers and counter-offers.

• They also conduct company valuation, investment risks, and financial modeling to ascertain business performance.

• Research reports and databases to gain critical information useful for decision making.

• Identify investment risks, manage investment climate, and advise on specific creditworthiness of specific projects.

Is Investment Banking the Right Career Choice for me?

One of the first questions you might be asked during job interviews could be ‘why investment banking?’ Try answering it now and crafting your career considering them. Your motivation could be a career at a well-established company or a better pay package.

• Data-driven

An investment banker needs analytical skills to make data-driven decisions that benefit the company financially. Therefore, you should ideally eye for detail, be abreast with the latest developments, and have strong technical skills.

• Number-cruncher

Although a math degree is not required, being a number-cruncher could be handy for a career in investment banking. You should be able to perform quick and flawless calculations, analyze financial models and develop future-ready strategies.

• Persuasive Communication

Investment bankers have interpersonal and persuasive skills when trying to secure finance for their businesses. They should be able to talk effectively to their employers, pitch ideas, and explain risks to potential investors.

What skills do Top Firms look for in Investment bankers?

Top firms look for investment bankers with exceptional subject knowledge and practical applied skills. In addition, they seek employees who can help solve critical financial issues and strategic challenges.

Investment bankers should be able to work in a dynamic environment where their core subject knowledge will be put to the test. In addition, they have to be flexible, adaptable, and have strong critical thinking capabilities.

Investment bankers should be able to multitask and manage large teams with ease. Their analytical skills and number crunching capabilities will also be an advantage. Finally, great interpersonal skills and communication capabilities are also highly preferred.

Tips for getting started in an investment banking career

Besides having an undergraduate degree, there are many things you can do to ace up your skill and add brownie points to your resume. Let’s see a few of them.

• Study Specialized Investment Banking Course

Employees actively pursue candidates with specialized knowledge in investment banking. Therefore, besides having a graduate degree, you should also ensure you have the necessary competency knowledge in finance, research analysis, investment analysis, portfolio management, and other key financial aspects from a reputed financial training provider.

A PGCM certification in Investment Banking from institutions such as IMS Proschool gives you the headstart you need. With a certification, you have extensive knowledge of corporate finance, business statistics, financial markets, performance, valuation and analysis, and simulation.

• Work as an Investment Banking Intern

In addition to having a specialized certification, an internship in a reputed firm will make your resume stand out from the rest. Internships in financial institutions such as banks, corporates, and trading firms can boost your skills. Along with this, you can also improve your interpersonal and persuasion skills. Moreover, you can be placed in the same company based on your performance during the internship.

• Be a part of the network.

Networking, right now, helps you surge ahead in your career. Being well-connected with other established investment bankers will help you gain insight into the latest developments and real-world problems and get placed in better positions. They may also act as a positive career guidance professional who pushes your career further.

• Attend seminars and Events

One excellent method to gain a huge network is attending seminars, events, and online sessions. When you sign up for these informative sessions, you can get a new insight into your career, build contacts, and find opportunities to excel.

How to Become an Investment banker?

Becoming a successful investment banker starts with your decision to join a reputed certification course that will give you the necessary skills and experience to become a highly sought-after financial professional.

IMS Proschool offers a specialized course dedicated to honing the financial skills of professionals. The Investment Banking and Capital Markets PGCM program combines the right amount of theoretical knowledge and industry-relevant practical training. The course has been designed by experts who understand the current market needs.

Everyone learns at a different pace, and IMS Proschool understands that. They have designed Active Learning pedagogy, where you learn by experience – by practically working on the concepts – rather than by rote memory. The teacher leads industry-relevant courses structured to meet the specific and current demands of the market – giving our students a winning start in their careers.

The active learning concept brings both subject knowledge and expertise and real-world scenarios. It develops the students’ interpersonal and technical skills as well.

What makes PGCM from IMS Proschool a standout certification?

It is an AIMA-approved program. Moreover, the certification is awarded by AIMA. This PG Diploma makes the students job-ready by the end of the first year and also grants willing students a one-year exemption in MBA. The course is also well-suited to the flexible needs of working professionals as it is available in both online and classroom formats.

It is time to make the right career move.

Get a head start to a successful career as an investment banker with the PGCM course from IMS Proschool. You can enjoy the huge network of successful candidates, industry experts, veteran teachers, and peers.

When you get the right skills, exposure, and job assurance from IMS Proschool, there is no stopping you from achieving your career goals