Breaking Into IB From Canada With Only Commercial Banking Exp

Question

I realize there is a topic with the exact same name from a year ago. That poster mistaked Commercial Banking for Retail Banking so that topic is irrelevant to this one.

I'd like to get an idea of how open investment banking in Canada is to hiring people who work at a Big 5 commercial bank as an analyst/account manager in the 1-25mm space. Would MM IB boutiques in Toronto consider me with a year of experience in commercial banking?

TLBandChill · Accepted Answer

"s.ratnasw"
"whatsapitchbook"
"s.ratnasw"
I mean, yes it would hamper your ability as you won't be able to work around banker schedules which usually involve postponing/cancelling meetings on you multiple times.

In the ultimate goal of breaking into investment banking/corporate banking, what's more important? The ability to be downtown and available for coffee chats at any time or the more relevant experience I'll gain in commercial banking?

Well, you have to think beyond the here and now.  You may be based in Scarborough but if you're a strong performer, you can move.

TLBandChill · Answer

"houngz"
Hello fellow Canuck.... Few options:

I know in Canada the CFA is viewed much more favorably. You'll see many senior bankers have it. Take a level or 2, keep applying. 
-Also look into ER roles. From ER you can easily switch into banking with the industry knowledge and contacts you'll naturally gain. Those are high turnover roles and probably 5-1 ratio of job postings vs IB
Network, network, network. Keep applying. Banks are also looking to replenish high turnover analyst roles.

s.ratnasw · Answer

"whatsapitchbook"
"s.ratnasw"
I mean, yes it would hamper your ability as you won't be able to work around banker schedules which usually involve postponing/cancelling meetings on you multiple times.

In the ultimate goal of breaking into investment banking/corporate banking, what's more important? The ability to be downtown and available for coffee chats at any time or the more relevant experience I'll gain in commercial banking?

Well, you have to think beyond the here and now.  You may be based in Scarborough but if you're a strong performer, you can move.

Canucklehead · Answer

Hello fellow Canuck.... Few options:

I know in Canada the CFA is viewed much more favorably. You'll see many senior bankers have it. Take a level or 2, keep applying. 
-Also look into ER roles. From ER you can easily switch into banking with the industry knowledge and contacts you'll naturally gain. Those are high turnover roles and probably 5-1 ratio of job postings vs IB
Network, network, network. Keep applying. Banks are also looking to replenish high turnover analyst roles.

+418	Evercore Intern Seizure	63	7h
+128	UBS IB Americas has failed, now behind Santander and Stiffel	34	12h
+108	Sent my Claude prompt to 200+ Teams chat. MD wants to see me Monday.	37	46m
+79	deleted deleted deleted deleted deleted	44	16h
+65	How do I understand vs. just memorizing?	11	1d
+58	Some banks are overrated as fuck	19	42s
+48	Associate & Above IB exits	18	1d
+47	The good and bad with Wells Fargo	18	1h
+42	Tech to IB Pivot	22	6h
+36	Incoming IB Analyst: Best Ways to Prepare?	13	1d

1	redever	99.2
2	kanon	99.0
3	Secyh62	99.0
4	BankonBanking	99.0
5	DrApeman	98.9
6	CompBanker	98.9
7	dosk17	98.9
8	Betsy Massar	98.9
9	GameTheory	98.9
10	numi	98.8

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Breaking Into IB From Canada With Only Commercial Banking Exp

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Breaking Into IB From Canada With Only Commercial Banking Exp

Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum