A Day in the Life - Investment Banking

Investment banking is one of Wall Street's most coveted roles, but what does an investment banker’s daily routine look like? For a junior analyst, this may involve valuing companies, building financial models, and putting together pitch books. Here's an inside look at what a typical workday may entail:

Morning Routine (9.30AM – 11:30AM)

Day Preparation

• Check emails and calendar for any urgent tasks, meetings, or updates.

• Review any overnight developments in the financial markets and economic data releases.

Morning Meeting

• Attend a team meeting to discuss ongoing projects, upcoming deadlines, and prioritize tasks for the day.

• Brief catch-up with your associate or VP to align on deliverables.

Midday (11:30AM – 2:00PM)

Research & Analysis

• Conduct thorough financial research on target companies or industry trends.

• Compile data and insights to support pitch books and presentations.

Financial Modelling

• Work on building and updating financial models for ongoing transactions, such as M&A deals or capital raises.

• Conduct valuations using various methods (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions).

Afternoon (2:00PM – 7:00PM)

Client Calls & Meetings

• Join client calls or attend meetings with senior bankers to discuss transaction progress and next steps.

• Take detailed notes and follow up on action items.

Presentation Preparation

• Prepare pitch books, presentations, and other materials for future client meetings.

• Ensure all data and information are accurate and visually appealing.

• Send work to your associate or VP for review

Evening (7:00PM – 1:00AM)

Catch Up on Emails

• Respond to emails and client inquiries.

• Send out any necessary updates or documents to clients and team members.

Address Changes

• Incorporate suggested changes from your team members into the pitchbook or model.

Wrap up

• Finalise any remaining tasks for the day.

• Do a final check of emails to ensure there are no urgent late-night requests.

Key Takeaways from an Analyst’s Day

Attention to detail is Key

Investment banking analysts’ work involves complex financial models, transactions, and presentations where even small errors can have significant consequences, impacting client trust and the accuracy of critical financial analysis.

Long and Demanding Days

Investment banking analysts often have long, demanding and sometimes stressful days, but the experience and opportunities they gain are invaluable! A typical investment banking analyst can expect a 75–80-hour week.

Requires Time and Workflow Management

Bankers need to be competent communicators with the ability to manage their schedules effectively.

Strict Structural Hierarchy

Analysts typically handle the ‘grunt’ work on projects, such as researching companies, building financial models in Excel, and creating PowerPoint presentations. Their work is reviewed and filtered through various ranks before it reaches the client.

Need to be a Jack-of-all-Trades

Bankers must balance analytical rigor, stakeholder management, and effective communication to make informed decisions and foster strong client relationships.