Is Investment Banking the Right Career for You?

Is Investment Banking the Right Career for You? The answer to it would be “YES” if you are interested in doing high-paying jobs. There are many top investment banking companies in India offering highly competitive salary packages. 

To give you a clear idea of what a professional in an investment banking career looks like! You may have watched movies in which people wearing sharp suits crack million-dollar deals with a single phone call, right? 

That’s what an investment banking career looks like, and if you want to know whether it is right for you, then read this blog further. You will learn what investment bankers actually do, how much they earn, and whether you should be one.

What is Investment Banking: An Overview

Investment banking, basically in simple terms, is a specialised banking that helps individuals, corporations, and governments raise capital and make strategic financial decisions. To elaborate, what is investment banking? It is considerably different from regular commercial banking, which deals with savings and loans.

Investment banking focuses on complex financial transactions such as initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private placements, and debt restructuring. So, the investment banking institutions act as intermediaries between investors and companies. 

Firstly, they analyse a company’s financial position, assess market opportunities. And then help structure deals that benefit both the client and the investors. Let us also figure out the two primary divisions within the investment banking career:

Front Office

The front office investment banking roles involve client-facing roles such as corporate finance, M&A advisory, sales & trading, and equity research.

Back and Middle Office

The back-end and mid-office investment banking job profile includes operations, risk management, compliance, and IT support.

Investment bankers are problem solvers. They design financial solutions to help companies scale, innovate, and stay competitive in the global marketplace.

If you aspire to enter this field, learning how to become a investment banker in India involves gaining the right qualifications, financial knowledge, and practical experience.

Investment Banker Job Profiles

The investment banking job profile has a wide range. Each having its own responsibilities, skill sets, and career trajectory. Let us look at some of the most common investment banker roles in the industry, including,

1. Analyst

Analyst in an investment banking career is typically an entry-level role in the industry. Analysts are responsible for,

• Building financial models
• Conducting company and industry research
• Preparing pitch books and presentations
• Supporting senior bankers in deal execution

It is an ideal job role for fresh graduates from finance, economics, or business backgrounds.

2. Associate

After gaining experience as an analyst (or coming in with an MBA), you are at a level to move up to an associate role. As an associate, you have to,

• Supervise analysts
• Interact with clients
• Review financial models and presentations

You will help manage transaction processes from start to finish. 

3. Vice President (VP)

VPs act as the bridge between junior teams and senior management. In their investment banking career, they,

• Oversee multiple deals
• Lead client interactions
• Ensure deadlines and deal documentation are met

As a vice president, you are responsible for mentoring associates and analysts.

4. Director / Executive Director

At this level, professionals focus more on relationship building and deal sourcing. They must,

• Bring in new clients and mandates
• Structure deals
• Oversee teams and guide strategy

5. Managing Director (MD)

MD is at the top of the hierarchy in the investment banking job profile. MDs are responsible for:

• Building long-term client relationships
• Leading large deals (valued in billions)
• Driving the bank’s revenue and growth

Each level requires a blend of technical financial skills, client management, communication, and long working hours. However, the investment banking career rewards, both in terms of salary and impact, grow significantly.

Investment Banker Salary Per Month

One of the biggest attractions of an investment banking career is the lucrative salary. Especially for those who are willing to handle the pressure and long hours. 

So, is investment banking a good career?

In India, the investment banker salary per month varies significantly depending on experience, the size of the firm, location, and qualifications.

Let us break it down by career level in detail now.

Entry-Level Analyst Salary (0–2 Years)

As an entry-level analyst, the investment banker salary per month ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000. The additional benefits of the investment banking career at the beginning also include performance bonuses and joining perks.

The recent passouts are freshers from top colleges or CFA/MBA backgrounds can earn highly.

Associate Salary (2–4 Years)

The associate investment banker salary per month ranges from ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,00,000. The salary also includes bonuses, which are 50 to 100% of the base salary.

All the candidates with an MBA from IIMs, ISB, or international B-schools are highly paid as associates.

Vice President & Above (5+ Years)

The monthly salary of a Vice President ranges from ₹3,00,000 to ₹7,00,000+. The senior bankers also earn bonuses, profit sharing, and carry (in private equity). However, the salaries vary widely between boutique firms and global IB giants.

So, is investment banking a good career choice?

There are many firms like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley offering the highest salary packages that range from ₹25 to 40 LPA to freshers. Moreover, the candidates with experience also demand compensation crossing ₹1 Cr+ annually, including bonuses.

While the numbers are impressive, it is very important to remember that investment banking roles demand long work hours, tight deadlines, and immense responsibility, and their salary reflects the grind.

Top Investment Banking Companies

There are many top investment banking companies in India and internationally. We are here to inform you about those because they can make a significant difference in your salary.

You will also be able to find differences in the kind of deals you work on, the clients you handle, and the learning you experience. 

In India, you will find a powerful mix of global heavyweights and homegrown champions. Each brings its own unique flavour to the industry. So let us further explain some of the global as well as the top investment banking companies in India. 

Global Investment Banks Operating in India

The Global Investment Banks are the first names people associate with the world of investment banking. They operate in India through their local arms or Global Capability Centres (GCCs), managing everything from IPOs and M&A to private equity and structured finance on an international scale.

• Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs has a large India presence in both front-end advisory and offshore analytics roles. The company is known for its aggressive deal-making and high standards.

• J.P. Morgan

Offers exposure to global markets and handles everything from M&A to debt and equity capital markets through its India offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

• Morgan Stanley

Played a key role in India’s major IPOs and mergers, such as Zomato’s IPO and Flipkart’s early funding rounds.

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is strong in corporate finance and capital markets. The bank is a good mix of Indian and cross-border deal-making.

• Barclays, Citi, UBS, and Deutsche Bank

These are also active in investment banking, especially in sectors like telecom, finance, and infrastructure.

If you want to work at these global firms, then expect a fast-paced, competitive environment, global standards, and a steep learning curve. The hiring process is intense, but the rewards in terms of salary, skill development, and networking are immense.

Top Indian Investment Banks

Apart from the global investment banking firms, do not underestimate India’s homegrown investment banks. These firms have led some of the biggest domestic IPOs and M&A deals, and often provide early exposure to live transactions. Read further to learn more about the top investment banking companies in India.

• Kotak Investment Banking

A market leader in IPO advisory and capital markets. If there’s a big listing on Dalal Street, chances are Kotak had something to do with it.

• ICICI Securities

Known for its strong institutional client base and deep presence in capital markets and corporate finance.

• Axis Capital

The investment banking arm of Axis Bank has gained traction in equity deals and structured finance.

• JM Financial

A legacy Indian firm involved in M&A, IPOs, and restructuring, particularly strong in real estate and infrastructure advisory.

• Avendus Capital

A rising star, especially in startup advisory and private equity transactions. It’s become the go-to firm for tech companies looking to raise capital.

• Edelweiss & Motilal Oswal Investment Banking

Strong in debt syndication, mid-market M&A, and structured finance solutions.

So, is investment banking a good career to opt for?

Yes, definitely. These investment banking companies in India offer hands-on experience, more client-facing opportunities early in your career, and often a better work-life balance compared to global giants. For those who want to understand India’s evolving business landscape up close, these are great places to start.

Here is a brief table to revise your key takeaways,

Institutes that provide an Investment Banking Certification Course?

Many institutes provide an investment banking certification course. So, if you are serious about breaking into investment banking, especially without a top-tier MBA. You should enroll yourself in these programs.

They are career-focused, practical, and designed to build real-world skills in financial modelling, valuation, deal structuring, and capital markets.

Here is a list below, including some of the best institutes offering Investment Banking certification courses in India and abroad,

1. edZeb, Delhi

In an institute like edZeb, you will find their financial modeling and valuation course covering the investment banking industry curriculum. It perfectly blends industry-level skills with career mentoring.

The investment program offered by edZeb is one of the most student-recommended platforms out there to take the first step towards your investment banking career path.

2. The WallStreet School (TWSS), Delhi

The WallStreet School in Delhi is among the few institutes known for its intensive Investment Banking & Financial Modeling programs. Whether you are a graduate or a professional, enroll with them. They are popular among finance grads, though with relatively high fees.

3. IMS Proschool

Another institute offering you quality coaching is IMS Proschool. The school offers NSE-certified programs to start a financial modeling and investment banking career path. Their investment banking program is available in hybrid formats across multiple Indian cities.

4. CFI (Corporate Finance Institute, Canada) – [Online]

The Corporate Finance Institute is globally recognised for its FMVA Certification. However, physical location is a bit of a constraint in it. They are 100% online, highly structured, and a self-paced program with Excel-based assignments.

5. Imarticus Learning

Imarticus is all about offering courses for those interested in entering the finance industry. They offer Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional (CIBOP) and various others, like more operations/KPO-focused. It is considered good for back-office finance aspirants.

While global certifications build knowledge, Indian institutes like edZeb give you real mentoring, job-focused training, and networking that most online-only platforms lack. You can choose any one institute that seems better and aligns with your learning style. Enroll with any of them and start your journey towards your investment banking career.

Conclusion

An investment banking career is fast-paced and intellectually demanding. If you are interested in taking it up, then find an institute where you can learn directly from industry mentors, build practical skills, and break into the industry on your own terms.

Keep in mind that it’s not just about the glam or the paycheck. It’s about the ability to understand markets, analyse businesses, solve financial puzzles, and drive real impact. Whether you are advising a billion-dollar IPO or helping a startup raise its first round.

FAQ’s