Why would someone use an investment bank?
Corporations, just like people, often need more money than they have on hand. They usually need hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. The investment banks help them raise this capital through either borrowing debt (debt financing) or selling equity (equity financing).
The primary goal of an investment bank is to advise businesses and governments on how to meet their financial challenges. Investment banks help their clients with financing, research, trading and sales, wealth management, asset management, IPOs, mergers, securitized products, hedging, and more.
Investment bank clients include corporations, pension funds, other financial institutions, governments, and hedge funds.
In the simplest terms, investment banks help corporations raise money. When a corporation wants to buy or sell something, they work with an investment banker to figure out how to invest or attain the funds they need to get it done.
Bulge Bracket Investment Banks (BBs) – JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley; Bank of America and Citi; Barclays and UBS; Deutsche Bank is questionable. In-Between-a-Banks (IBABs) – Wells Fargo, RBC, and many European, Asian, and Canadian banks, such as HSBC, BNP Paribas, Mizuho, Nomura, BMO, and CITIC.
Their clients include companies, government entities, funds (including pensions), entrepreneurs and families that run a business – all of which have a big impact on our lives. Investment banking clients provide us with goods and services such as clothes, internet and transport, and may also employ us or people we know.
Rather than working with individuals, investment banks primarily work with large corporations and government agencies. The role of an investment bank is two-fold – either selling or buying.
They take in deposits from consumers and businesses, and then lend out the money to companies or consumers. But the duties of investment banks are quite different. Instead of taking deposits, investment banks sell securities.
Investment banking is the division of financial services that works to raise money for individual investors, large corporations, and governments. Investment banks provide underwriting services to help clients raise capital and complete mergers and acquisitions (M&As).
Investment banks impose a high fee based on the amount of the offering (usually 2-8% of the total deal). They earn millions of dollars in commissions as a result. They are also paid for setting an appropriate price and assembling a solid network of enthusiastic investors about the company's long-term prospects.
What are the disadvantages of investment banking?
Even with education, experience, and enthusiasm, investment banking might not be for you. Investment bankers work long hours and often earn a high income. Lack of work-life balance is one reason to avoid becoming an investment banker. Investment bankers must also be able to manage high-pressure situations.
Investment banking is one of Wall Street's most coveted roles. It is also one of the hardest. It is no surprise that the average day in an investment banker's life is long and stressful. Those who manage to survive the adjustment period often go on to have long and financially rewarding careers.
An investment banker performs three basic functions: underwriting, distributing, and advising.
As an associate, compensation rises significantly. The next level up is Vice President, which can make upwards of 500k. Highest on the food chain is the Managing Director, who makes anywhere from 500k to several million dollars. Investment banking associates are typically hired after business school.
J.P. Morgan is a leader in investment banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. We serve millions of customers, predominantly in the U.S., and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally.
Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) and Wells Fargo Securities (WFS) are the trade names used for the corporate banking, capital markets, and investment banking services of Wells Fargo & Company and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, member of NYSE , FINRA , NFA , ...
To make sure you're a good fit for investment banking, here is a list of traits that are considered important in the industry: Willingness to work extremely long hours (80+ per week) High attention to detail. Ability to take direction well.
The difference between commercial banking vs. investment banking is that investment banks typically raise money by selling securities (like stocks and bonds). On the other hand, commercial banks use consumer deposits to fund loans and mortgages, and the interest on those loans becomes profit for the bank.
You will make more than any other career path
If you stay on as a banker for life, you can go from making $150K per year as an Analyst, to $300K per year as an Associate, to $450K per year as a VP and then much more if you can continue to get promoted.
Is It Even Possible to Date an Investment Banker? The good news is that, while most definitely more difficult, it's still quite possible to both date a banker and date as a banker. Plenty of people do it and plenty of people have found their lifelong partners while working as bankers.
Do investment bankers make a lot of money?
Can you become a millionaire as an investment banker? It is possible to become a millionaire as an investment banker, but it is not easy. Investment bankers typically earn salaries in the $200,000 to $700,000 range, with bonuses that can bring their total income up to several million dollars per year.
For those seeking a career in investment banking, a bachelor's degree in finance is a prerequisite. Other potential acceptable majors include bachelors in economics or bachelors in business supplemented with a minor in finance.
But just in case you haven't yet: think of investment bankers like real estate agents but for companies instead of houses. Just as a real estate agent introduces buyers and sellers of property, bankers introduce buyers and sellers of companies and try to make a deal happen.
Generally, there are three categories of investment banks - bulge bracket banks, middle-market banks, and boutique banks. These banks often include regional boutiques and elite boutique banks.
Ranges of Success Fees
There is a wide range of fees charged on the sale of a business in investment banking. Below is a very rough guideline of ranges that can typically be seen in the industry: $0-10 million: >10% $10-100 million: 3-10% $100 million-$1 billion: 1-3%
