US Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted a 10% increase in the number of job openings in the financial sector until 2024. The scarce investment banking professionals will be in huge demand all this while. As the baby boomers retire, and Generation Z takes over the banking domain, the demand for investment banking talent will further soar higher.
Investment Banking Certifications That Promise a Great ROI
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification
- Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification
- Chartered Investment Banking Professional (CIBP)
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification
CFA certified professionals are highly sought after individuals in the banking industry across the world. The certification comprises three levels and consumes four years of one’s life to get certified with the same. Counted among the top certifications in finance, it focuses primarily on investment analysis and portfolio management.
The syllabus for the qualifying examination covers topics of finance such as ethical and professional standards, financial reporting and analysis, economics, quantitative methods, alternative investments, corporate finance, equity, portfolio management, and fixed income.
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Certification
It’s a new and increasingly popular skill-certification that is gaining traction among corporate finance professionals worldwide. It is available for enrolment through a reputed finance institute, namely CFI. Certification syllabus covers a range of financial management concepts such as building financial models, sensitivity analysis, and advanced valuation tactics. All such concepts can be practically applied in the banking sector using Excel.
Valuable analysis skills you gain from this finance certification:
- Building financial model in Excel.
- Performing financial analysis, calculating ratios, and tracking organization performance using Excel.
- Financial modeling for varied industries such as e-commerce, real estate, retail, among others.
- Carrying out business valuation, and the related methodologies.
- Designing Excel dashboards, graphs, charts, and financial PPT presentations.
- M&A modeling, scenario and sensitivity analysis.
Chartered Investment Banking Professional (CIBP) Certification by IBCA
The CIBP professional certification is offered by IBCA (Investment Banking Council of America), one of the prominent names in the US in context of the international bodies that issue professional certifications in the investment banking sector.
The globally-recognized certification in investment banking suits perfectly well to the new graduates just out of the business school, and the individuals with an undergraduate degree in either finance, or a business-related discipline.
Professional applicability of the CIBP certification tops the expectations of reputed investment banks across the globe. It makes you learn the new-age skills being practised in the banking industry, and makes you an ideal candidate for the most coveted entry-level job roles in the IB domain.
An applicant can register, and take CIBP examination online, from anywhere in the world while being in the comfort of his home.
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
The certification focuses primarily on disciplines of investment banking such as alternative investments, hedge funds, and asset management. Topics covered under the syllabus comprise private equity, structured products, real assets, hedge funds, ethics, risk management, and asset allocation. It is being considered as one of the top certifications in the finance sector.
Financial Risk Manager (FRM) Certification
The certification is specifically designed for finance professionals seeking a job role as a risk analyst, risk officer, and the related positions in risk management. It takes a year to obtain the said certification, and the median pass rate is 50%. It is among the most targeted and niche professional certifications in the investment banking industry.