Which university is best for breaking into banking? (2024)

Ask any investment banking graduate recruiter about university preference, and they'll tell you that all applications are considered equally, regardless of subject studied or the educational institution at which the degree was attained.

To an extent this is true, but banks also have an elite group of 'target' universities to which they'll actively sell a career within investment banking. At undergraduate level in the UK (in no particular order) these are Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE), UCL, Imperial College London and Warwick. The likes of Kings College London, Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, Bath and Edinburgh are also well-regarded.

"Graduate recruitment officials will tell you they are unbiased, but the vast majority of front office hires come from target schools," says one former investment banker and hedge fund manager, who now lectures to non-target universities about how to break into banking. "Students outside of these are largely recruited for back office functions."

But do London universities have an edge? One head of graduate recruitment at a bulge bracket bank admits that their proximity to the City means that LSE, UCL and Imperial enjoy far more lectures and presentations, meaning their knowledge of and exposure to the investment banking world is far greater.

One UCL student who is attempting to break into investment banking tells us: "At this point in the year, there can be as many four or five presentations a week (sometimes confirmed at the last minute), which quickly increases your knowledge of the industry and expands your contacts. These events are attended by a broad range of students studying a variety of disciplines, and banks are attracted by this diversity."

But the former investment banker cum careers advisor believes that one university is best for students with aspirations to break into the industry.

"LSE is best almost by a happy accident, and not necessarily just because of the calibre of students," he claims. "The university has close ties to the City and pushes its students towards a career in finance, while Oxbridge colleges are more generalist. There's also the fact that the subjects are more quantitative and the opportunity for networking with traders, sales people and bankers much greater because they're in the same city."

But one LSE student who has secured an investment banking position says that, while the school's prestige and networking opportunities offer an advantage over most universities, it's largely on a par with Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial and Warwick.

"I believe that the recruitment processes that I have experienced so far have been based on merit (results and past working experience) and not because of the school I am attending," he says.

Which university is best for breaking into banking? (2024)

FAQs

Which university is best for breaking into banking? ›

Most investment banks prefer degrees in finance, accounting, business administration, and other business disciplines. Undergraduate degree subjects are less influential in the hiring process if a candidate has a master's degree in business administration, finance, or another highly relevant subject.

What is the best degree to get into banking? ›

Most investment banks prefer degrees in finance, accounting, business administration, and other business disciplines. Undergraduate degree subjects are less influential in the hiring process if a candidate has a master's degree in business administration, finance, or another highly relevant subject.

What bank hires the most? ›

If you're looking for a new job in finance, you may want to check out openings at Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo. Those three companies are doing some of the heaviest hiring for high-paying jobs in the US, according to Indeed.

What do most bankers study? ›

Common majors are finance, business, economics, and accounting. You also need to pass licensing exams to work as an investment banker.

Which bank is the hardest to get into? ›

Which is the hardest investment bank to get into? Goldman Sachs is notoriously difficult to get into. One statistics recently rolled out was that it received 100,000 applications for just 2,300 global internship positions. This means that it received 24 applications for every job it posted.

How hard is it to get a job at JP Morgan? ›

It is very hard to get a job at JP Morgan.

JP Morgan is one of the world's largest and most prestigious banking firms, so the competition for roles is fierce. JP Morgan is also known for its rigorous, intensive, and selective hiring process.

Which bachelor degree is best for bank manager? ›

To become a bank manager, you at least need to have a bachelor's degree in finance or a related subject. For instance, you can earn a Bachelors of Commerce (B.Com) or Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree.

Which bank pays highest salary? ›

Below is a summary of the top 10 investment banks by first-year analyst pay (New York) in 2023:
  • Lazard.
  • Rothschild.
  • Guggenheim.
  • Bank of America.
  • Citi.
  • Goldman Sachs.
  • JP Morgan.
  • Morgan Stanley.

Who is the highest paid bank employee? ›

High Paying Banker Jobs
  • Investment Banker. Salary range: $104,500-$125,000 per year. ...
  • Bank Secrecy Act Officer. Salary range: $55,500-$125,000 per year. ...
  • Banking Services Advisor. Salary range: $101,000-$121,500 per year. ...
  • Banking Consultant. ...
  • Bank Examiner. ...
  • Commercial Banker. ...
  • Private Banker. ...
  • Business Banker.

What is the most prestigious bank to work for? ›

Bankers continue to regard Goldman Sachs as the world's most prestigious bank, followed (as always) by Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. Credit Suisse and UBS lost the most ground in 2022 while LionTree Advisors' reputation improved the most in the eyes of bankers.

Can bankers make 100k? ›

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a personal banker.

While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a personal banker because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $90,000 per year. The average annual salary for a personal banker is $46,777.

How do I get into banking? ›

How to pursue a banking career
  1. Complete high school. The minimum education requirement for some entry-level banking jobs is a high school diploma or GED. ...
  2. Earn a bachelor's degree. ...
  3. Develop the right skills. ...
  4. Choose a banking specialty. ...
  5. Meet with a career advisor. ...
  6. Get an internship. ...
  7. Network. ...
  8. Enroll in training programs.
Mar 10, 2023

Is banker a stressful job? ›

No, being a personal banker is not a particularly stressful job. However, like all jobs, it does come with some stress levels, which can be more or less depending on the company a person works for and the individual level of responsibility within the role.

What is the easiest bank to join? ›

The 8 Easiest Banks To Join
  • Chime. Chime1 is probably the easiest to join. ...
  • TD Bank. To sign up with TD, users can go online and enter their basic information, including a driver's license number or state ID. ...
  • United Bank. United Bank has the same requirements as TD. ...
  • Synchrony. ...
  • Chase Bank. ...
  • Axos Bank. ...
  • Ally. ...
  • Wells Fargo.

Which bank is least likely to fail? ›

Wells Fargo (WFC)

Nevertheless, it finds itself as one of the least likely financial institutions to fail.

What is the easiest bank to get? ›

  • Ally Bank. ...
  • Juno. ...
  • Synchrony. ...
  • Current. ...
  • Wells Fargo. ...
  • United Bank. ...
  • Axos Bank. Axos Bank is an online-only bank that doesn't charge fees and offers rewards for checking, savings, CDs, MMAs, and IRAs. ...
  • Wise. Wise is a money transfer service that makes sending or receiving money from international countries easy.

What GPA do you need for JP Morgan? ›

A: We value diverse degree backgrounds and experiences and while a GPA 3.2 (or equivalent) in your undergraduate degree is preferred it is not required. Our training programs are designed to allow everyone, regardless of major studied to succeed.

What GPA do you need to work at JP Morgan? ›

As for GPA requirements, they vary by business unit, but most are in the 3.2 to 3.5 range. Grades are clearly important – we do look at those – but beyond meeting the minimums we try to be open about it. Different people have different circ*mstances.

What is the starting salary of JP Morgan? ›

Minimum salary at JP Morgan Chase depends on the role you are applying for. For Operations Analyst the minimum salary is ₹6.3 Lakhs per year, for Team Lead the minimum salary is ₹9.5 Lakhs per year and so on.

Which bank gives highest salary to bank manager? ›

Frequently Asked Questions about General Manager Salaries
  • State Bank of India General Manager Salary - ₹39.6 Lakhs per year.
  • IDBI Bank General Manager Salary - ₹35.3 Lakhs per year.
  • Reserve Bank of India General Manager Salary - ₹33.7 Lakhs per year.
  • Union Bank of India General Manager Salary - ₹28.1 Lakhs per year.

Which bank pays highest salary for manager? ›

Frequently Asked Questions about Bank Manager Salaries
  • IDBI Bank Bank Manager Salary - ₹15.6 Lakhs per year.
  • South Indian Bank Bank Manager Salary - ₹12.6 Lakhs per year.
  • Canara Bank Bank Manager Salary - ₹11.7 Lakhs per year.
  • Bank of India Bank Manager Salary - ₹11.7 Lakhs per year.

What is a branch manager's salary? ›

Branch Manager salary in India ranges between ₹ 2.5 Lakhs to ₹ 16.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 6.0 Lakhs.

Which branch pays the most? ›

The most basic and straightforward answer is that they all pay the same rate. Your basic military pay is determined by designation (enlisted, warrant officer, officer) and rank, not by which branch you serve.

What is highest paying job in USA? ›

Highest-Paying Occupations
OCCUPATION2022 MEDIAN PAYPERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN
Neurologists$224,260384.30%
Physicians, All Other$223,410382.40%
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$219,810374.60%
General Internal Medicine Physicians$214,460363.10%
17 more rows

Which bank is best to work as an employee? ›

9 Best Banking Companies in India 2022
RankCategoryCompany Name
1MegaHDFC Bank
1MegaICICI Bank
3MegaBandhan Bank
1LargeDeutsche Bank
5 more rows

What is the average salary of a bank employee in US? ›

U.S. Bank Jobs by Salary
Job TitleRangeAverage
Job Title:Branch Manager, BankingRange:$52k - $89kAverage:$67,895
Software EngineerRange:$67k - $144kAverage:$99,047
Credit AnalystRange:$50k - $100kAverage:$69,543
Relationship ManagerRange:$48k - $124kAverage:$76,163
3 more rows

What is the strongest bank in us? ›

List of largest banks in the United States
RankBank nameHeadquarters location
1JPMorgan ChaseNew York City
2Bank of AmericaCharlotte
3CitigroupNew York City
4Wells FargoSan Francisco
80 more rows

Can you be a millionaire from banking? ›

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.

What percentage of Americans have 100k in the bank? ›

Most Americans are not saving enough for retirement. According to the survey, only 14% of Americans have $100,000 or more saved in their retirement accounts. In fact, about 78% of Americans have $50,000 or less saved for retirement.

Are you rich if you make 250k a year? ›

Someone who makes $250,000 a year, for example, could be considered rich if they're saving and investing in order to accumulate wealth and live in an area with a low cost of living.

How do I get into banking with no experience? ›

How to get into banking when you have zero finance experience
  1. Show you're interested. ...
  2. Differentiate yourself. ...
  3. Show that you have skills that can be transferred. ...
  4. Know where you want to work and use the right language to reference it. ...
  5. Drop the clichés. ...
  6. Get the basics right.
Jun 29, 2022

Is banking a good career to get into? ›

There are several benefits to pursuing a career in banking, with the most prominent being: Competitive salaries. Great job benefits, including medical insurance, paid time off, sick leave and disability insurance. A range of positions to choose from.

What qualities do you need for banking? ›

The top skills retail banking, insurance and actuarial employers...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Problem solving. ...
  • Customer service. ...
  • Emotional intelligence. ...
  • Numeracy skills. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Organisation and time management. ...
  • Leadership and team management.

Is banking a risky career? ›

It is a high risk, high reward career that demands a high degree of commitment, and a herculean ability to juggle your work-life balance.

What is the average age of a banker? ›

The average age of an employed banker is 43 years old. The most common ethnicity of bankers is White (66.5%), followed by Asian (12.3%), Hispanic or Latino (11.4%) and Black or African American (5.5%).

What is the disadvantage of being a banker? ›

4 cons of being a bank teller
  • Unpredictable workflow. Depending on the bank you work for, you might experience days with very few customers. ...
  • Handling important transactions. A primary responsibility for bank tellers is limiting transaction errors. ...
  • Quotas. ...
  • Conflict resolution.
Mar 10, 2023

Which bank is giving the lowest? ›

10 Lowest And Cheapest Personal Loans In India
BankRate of Interest (p.a.)EMI/per lakhs (1 year)
IDBI BankStarts from 9.50%8,768
Bank of MaharashtraStarts from 9.55%8,771
State Bank of IndiaStarts from 9.60%8,773
HSBCStarts from 9.75%8,780
6 more rows

What are the banking trends in 2023? ›

Mobile banking, artificial intelligence and chatbots, open banking, and cryptocurrency are just a few of the digital banking trends reshaping the industry. Personalized banking, augmented reality, voice banking, and cybersecurity are set to shape the banking industry in the coming years.

Which bank is safest in USA? ›

Asset-heavy, diversified and regulated banks like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank and U.S. Bank are among the safest banks in the U.S. and should be considered if you are weighing your options.

Which bank has a bad reputation? ›

The 10 Worst-Rated Banks in America
BankTotal complaintsComplaints per $1 billion deposited
Citibank82,971106.78
Capital One79,622224.31
Discover Bank23,072243.18
Flagstar Bank4,20971.53
6 more rows
Apr 26, 2023

Why are banks failing 2023? ›

As the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 in response to the 2021–2023 inflation surge, bond prices declined, decreasing the market value of bank capital reserves, causing some banks to incur unrealized losses; to maintain liquidity, Silicon Valley Bank sold its bonds to realize steep losses.

Why won t banks accept me? ›

Reasons You Can Be Denied a Checking Account

Excessive overdrafts or nonsufficient funds incidents. Unpaid fees or negative account balances, whether from an active or closed account. Suspected fraud or identity theft. Applying for too many bank accounts over a short period of time.

Which USA bank is easy to open online? ›

Easiest Bank Accounts To Open Online
  • Easiest account to open — Revolut.
  • 2nd-easiest account to open — Chime.
  • 3rd-easiest account to open — Capital One.
  • 4th-easiest account to open — Current.
  • 5th-easiest account to open — Wise.
  • 6th-easiest account to open — Majority.
  • FAQ about online banking.

What is the easiest bank to open online in the US? ›

1. Chime. Chime* is a financial app that offers online-only account access. It ranks as one of the easiest accounts to open online because Chime requires no credit check and no minimum balance.

Is banking a good career path? ›

Reviews and data show that banking can be a good career path for those who are interested in finance, economics, and business. It offers a wide range of job opportunities, including customer service, financial analysis, investment banking, and risk management.

Can you major in banking? ›

A degree in banking qualifies graduates to pursue a variety of finance-related careers. Degrees can be earned at the associate, bachelor's and master's level. A typical banking degree is part of a business or finance program, and can encompass a variety of concentrations and focus areas.

Does banking make a lot of money? ›

Yes, bankers can make a lot of money.

Meanwhile, an investment banker and other Wall Street bankers typically make around $100,000 a year on average.

What are the disadvantages of being a banker? ›

One of the biggest disadvantages of bank careers is that serving the public can often be extremely stressful. Money issues are sensitive topics for most people, and customers can be quite rude and may become irate if the transaction is not correct or not handled perfectly to their satisfaction.

Do you need a finance degree to work in banking? ›

There are many career paths in finance. Bank tellers, bookkeepers, life insurance agents, investors, and even many entrepreneurs are all roles that exist for finance professionals. With the right attitude, skills, and training, a job in finance is attainable without an accounting degree.

How do you become a professional banker? ›

The status of a “Professional Banker” may be conferred on a banking & finance professional, if he / she has a work experience of 5 years and passes the examinations of IIBF mentioned under the selected track. The Professional Banker certificate will also mention the track chosen by a candidate.

What is the highest degree in finance? ›

A doctorate is the highest academic qualification attainable by a finance professional. At the doctoral students can pursue either a doctor of business administration (DBA) with a concentration in finance or a Ph. D. in finance.

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