how important is matlab or programming in general in banking

MAYBE if you're a quant/algo trader i will be of some use.

for banking.... ZERO. absolutely no use. make sure you know financial statements and 5th grade arithmetic and you'll be fine.

If you're going to learn a programming language, learn C.

The shop I'm working at post-graduation (Trading) requires applicants to know Matlab for quantitative research purposes, and wants all traders to have a working knowledge of programming, although the dedicated traders aren't dealing with programming on a daily basis like the actual coders are.

For Banking, you need 10 fingers (although I've heard of true rainmakers making it on nine fingers alone), and for the real rigorous work, you may need to bust out the toes.

Short, Non-Dickish Answer... Trading: Somewhere in the range [A Little, A Lot]. Banking: None.

thanks for the responses so far. i am currently in grad school, and a friend told me I wouldn't be able to get an internship on wall street without knowing matlab at the minimum.