Investment banking is one of the most profitable fields in the finance industry. It primarily deals with capital creation for governments, organizations, and other entities. Its activities include the facilitation of mergers and acquisitions, broker trades for private investors and institutions and underwriting equity securities, and new debts for all types of corporations.
Investment banking is one of the most difficult and intense jobs in the world which requires extensive preparation. Thousands of candidates apply for a job in investment banking every year. In this highly competitive world, it is extremely crucial to have the necessary soft skills and in addition, stand out with credentials that show you at a higher rank than that of others. Here are the top Investment banking certifications available to showcase your investment banking skills and verify your competence to perform the job.
Certification in Investment Banking (CIIB)
CIIB is an investment banking certification offered by the Association of International Wealth Management of India, (AIWMI), which conducts a comprehensive exam that is designed for the examination of different levels of understanding regarding the skills of a student. The basics of investment banking are the core focus of this certification. Financial professionals seeking advancement in their careers can opt for IB certification. Main highlights of this program:
- Asset Class Valuations including DCF
- Corporate finance and strategy
- Tools for interactive learning
Certified Investment Banking Professional (CIBPTM)
CIBPTM is offered by the Investment Banking Council of America (IBCA), for beginner-level candidates seeking a career in this field and looking for investment banking certifications for professionals. This is a great credential to earn as it prepares you for an impressive and quick launch into investment banking in addition to faster career growth. This best certification in investment banking is offered with four tracks with
- A master’s degree in accounting, portfolio management, investment management, financial analysis, private equity, or related disciplines and 2 years of experience in the related field for track 1.
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, portfolio management, investment management, financial analysis, private equity, or related disciplines, and 3 years of experience for track 2 is required.
- Students of master’s program in business institutions accredited by the Investment Banking Council of America (IBCA) or by any global permission bodies like EQUIS and AMBA can opt for track 3.
- Individuals having an active credential by the CFA or possessing a bachelor’s degree with good work experience in any finance sub-functions field can choose track 4.
- The candidates passing this exam will be provided with a digital badge, which can be affixed to email signatures and CVs to impress prospective employers.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA certification is an investment banking certification for professionals offered by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFAI) and is one of the most popular among the candidates seeking a job as an investment banker. This exam is divided into three parts to test individuals’ skills related to fundamentals of investment tools, wealth planning, and portfolio management. Candidates with a background in business, finance career, economics, and accounts can earn this certification. Once qualified, the candidates can pursue a job as executives and seniors in asset management, investment management, risk management, and many more.
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
The CAIA is an investment banking certification offered by Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIAA) for professionals in the investment banking field. An individual must possess a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of experience or four years of experience without a degree in the related field to earn this certification.
- A topic related to risk and portfolio management, hedge funds, professional ethics and standards, real assets will be covered in level 1 of the exam.
- The second level of this program will cover topics related to private equity, professional ethics and standards, real assets, structured products, asset allocations, and institutional investment.
A career at an investment bank has everything that creates an interesting job role… However, despite the continued success, a career in investment banking does not necessarily require experience and effort. It’s a journey where you will learn a lot of things and come across several ups and downs. Therefore, before deciding on the path to becoming a successful investment banker, you must first become familiar with the subject of investment banking. For individuals seeking to enter the investment banking career path, one of the main functions of an investment bank is to act as an intermediary between a company that wants to raise funds by issuing stocks and bonds and an individual or institutional investor who can provide funds in exchange for stocks. Investment bankers handle several aspects of this process. Investment banks benefit from fees and fees charged for providing such programs and other forms of market and financial advice. These institutions mainly offer a variety of activities, including:
- Capital security and survey underwriting
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Trading and sales
- Commercial and retail banking
