Best Cities to Break into Investment Banking
Breaking into investment banking from a non-target school requires strategy, hustle, and location awareness. View our full guide. While your diploma might not say “Harvard” or “Wharton,” choosing the right city can dramatically increase your odds. Moreover, these five best cities to break into investment banking offer the strongest opportunities for non-target graduates to launch […]
Investment Banking Resume: Template and Examples
Breaking into middle market investment banking requires a resume that shows you’re ready for hands-on deal work from day one. Firms like Jefferies, Piper Sandler, William Blair, and Houlihan Lokey value candidates who can contribute immediately to live transactions. Unlike bulge bracket banks that may prioritize prestige, middle market firms focus on practical skills and […]
EBITDA Add-Back Training
In investment banking, understanding how to identify and justify EBITDA add-backs separates competent analysts from exceptional ones. This essential skill directly impacts deal valuations, often adding millions to a company’s purchase price through proper normalization of earnings. For students pursuing careers in M&A, corporate finance, or investment banking, mastering EBITDA add-back training is non-negotiable. Mastering […]
Investment Banking Training: Understanding Bank Types
The investment banking landscape features three distinct categories of firms, each offering unique opportunities for aspiring professionals. Whether you’re exploring an investment banking training or preparing for recruiting season, understanding the differences between boutique, middle-market, and bulge bracket banks is crucial for making informed career decisions. While identifying the right firm is essential, it is […]
The Day of an Investment Banker: Analyst Edition
Have you ever wondered what really happens during the day of an investment banker at the analyst level? Forget the glamorous portrayals you’ve seen on screen. The reality is far more grounded. Entry-level analysts spend their time on presentations, spreadsheets, and meticulous detail work. While the daily schedule of an analyst is grueling, it is […]
How to Build a CIM: The Step-by-Step Investment Banking Guide
Table of Contents Introduction: The CIM as the Ultimate Deliverable in the Digital Age The 2026 Workflow: How AI and Analysts Collaborate to Build Deal Documents The Anatomy of a High-Value CIM: What Buyers Actually Expect The Art of the Strategic Narrative: Why Positioning Is the Highest-Paid Skill How a World-Class CIM Justifies $100M+ Valuations […]
Build a Buyer List: Investment Banking Essentials
In investment banking, knowing how to build a buyer list effectively can determine whether you achieve a competitive auction or settle for a disappointing outcome. A buyer list, also called a “buyer universe”, is a curated roster of companies, private equity firms, and investors with the strategic rationale, financial capacity, and appetite to acquire or […]
Building a CIM vs. Teaser
There are two essential documents in the investment banking process that analysts must build. The teaser and the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM). Understanding the distinction between these documents, and knowing when building a CIM becomes necessary, can significantly impact the success of your M&A transaction. While both the Teaser and the CIM are critical marketing […]
What Is a Strategic Buyer?
When selling a business, understanding the type of buyer can make all the difference in your transaction outcome. A strategic buyer is an operating company that acquires another business to advance its long-term strategic objectives rather than for purely financial returns. Unlike financial investors, a strategic buyer typically operates in the same or a related […]
M&A Documents: A Complete Guide
Master these three critical M&A documents to build a foundation for every professional deal process. Your M&A documents determine whether a transaction succeeds or stalls. Three documents anchor every professional deal: the Confidential Information Memorandum, the teaser, and the buyer list. Each serves a distinct purpose from initial outreach to closing. Because the CIM is […]