Best Books And Reading For A Public Finance Internship?

Starting a Public Finance investment banking internship this summer and would love to do some reading beforehand. Not necessarily pursuing it long term, but want to better understand the space.

What books, reports, or resources have you found helpful?

Thanks!

4 Comments
 

For a Public Finance investment banking internship, here are some highly recommended books and resources to help you prepare and understand the space better:

Books:

  1. "Investment Banking" by Rosenbaum & Pearl

    • This is a go-to resource for understanding the technical aspects of investment banking, including valuation and deal structuring. While not specific to public finance, it provides a solid foundation for the technical skills you'll need.
  2. "Aswath Damodaran on Valuation"

    • Aswath Damodaran is a leading expert in valuation. His work is particularly useful for understanding how to value public entities and projects, which is often relevant in public finance.
  3. "The Bond Book" by Annette Thau

    • A comprehensive guide to bonds, which are a critical component of public finance. This book will help you understand municipal bonds, their structure, and their role in public finance.
  4. "Municipal Finance: A Handbook for Local Government Practitioners" by Catherine D. Farvacque-Vitkovic and Mihaly Kopanyi

    • This book dives into the specifics of municipal finance, including budgeting, debt management, and public-private partnerships.

Reports and Resources:

  1. Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB)

    • The MSRB website offers a wealth of information on municipal bonds, including market trends, regulations, and educational resources.
  2. Bloomberg Terminal or Financial Times

    • Following news and trends in the municipal bond market will give you a real-time understanding of the public finance landscape.
  3. Aswath Damodaran's Website

    • Damodaran provides free resources, including lecture notes and valuation models, which can be applied to public finance scenarios.
  4. Wall Street Oasis (WSO) Resources

    • WSO offers forums, guides, and templates that can help you prepare for your internship. For example, their financial modeling resources and interview prep guides are invaluable.

Additional Tips:

  • Stay updated on current events in public finance by reading The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or Financial Times.
  • Familiarize yourself with the basics of municipal bonds, as they are a cornerstone of public finance.
  • Consider exploring case studies or reports on public-private partnerships and infrastructure financing.

These resources will give you a strong foundation to excel in your internship and better understand the public finance space. Good luck!

Sources: Best resources to learn more about Finance & Investment Banking, S&T Literature/Books for Interns?, S&T Literature/Books for Interns?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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