Investment Banking Graduate Analyst Programme

My interest in investment banking sparked during my studies, as I discovered the variety of responsibilities the job facilitates: From advising clients on large, complex financial transactions such as an acquisition or merger, to help conducting a capital raise and act as strategic advisor on financial decisions. In detail, this entails a combination of financial modelling and the client facing aspects of the job. As a junior banker, you will have exposure to all kinds of industries, and you will take on responsibility and ownership for you work from day 1. The extremely challenging and fast-paced environment offers a steep learning curve and exposure to high profile transactions, equipping you with a well sought-after skillset.

I heard about Nomura and found out about their strong positioning and expertise in the Eastern markets, being the largest bank in Japan. As a world renown bank with its prestigious reputation and regional understanding, Nomura is able to attract reputable clients and thus offering the opportunity to work on meaningful deals and gain valuable experience. Moreover, the smaller team structures enable greater responsibility early on, which is unique to Nomura.

I applied to the Nomura Off-Cycle internship at the Frankfurt Office to gain first-hand experience of the job. During the first week, you receive a structured training program, before you support the team on the preparation of marketing materials and the day-to-day execution of live mandates. The progress made over a short period of time, especially in regard of technical skills, gave me an in-depth perspective of investment banking.

At the end of my internship, I received the return offer to join Nomura as Investment Banking Analyst in their Frankfurt IBD team, and completed the Graduate Analyst Training Programme in 2023. This 4-week training program in New York, US is designed to bring everyone up to speed and prepare you for the desk. On the programme, I particularly enjoyed getting to know the graduates from all around the globe, as you will work on cross-border projects alongside colleagues in other Nomura offices worldwide.

My advice to prospective interns or aspiring Analysts is to be curious, come prepared and ask questions. With the right attitude and the willingness to learn, everyone around you will be happy to teach you and answer your questions. You will be surrounded by highly skilled professionals with years of extensive experience working on very complex and interesting transactions, and you can benefit from this expertise. Be proactive in your learning and bring the passion to accelerate as there will be a lot of room for growth.