How much technical/industry knowledge (i.e. pharmaceuticals) do you guys need in banking?

I'm at an MBB and studied finance in college. My group works a lot with financial sponsors, banks and lawyers on PE deals. 

The amount of technical knowledge required to understands some business flabbergasted me when I first hit the job. When I build market models for i.e. pharmaceutical players I only understand like 30% of what I am plugging into the model and am fully reliant on our internal knowledge experts that guide me. 

My question: is that similar if you are in specific IB groups (i.e healthcare, O&G, industrials). Or are you guys always much more concerned about the three statements without really digging too deep into industry/business drivers?

3 Comments
 

It's very similar in banking. The first 6-12 months is basically drinking from a fire hose of industry knowledge and more subtle or contextual nuances that you only pick up from fucking up and lots of reps. Just don't fuck the same thing up twice. Depending on the group, we'll have access to more or less information. A top-tier BB will have everything you could ask for: every major market research outlet, expert interviews, internal materials on comps, similar deals, etc. Groups lower down on the food chain will have less resources and you need to get scrappier. That typically means whatever initiating coverage reports you can get your hands on, investor call transcripts, and good ol' Google (you'd be surprised what you can find if you know how to look). 

 
Most Helpful

Sit sit nostrum rerum quos voluptas mollitia quia qui. Rerum error eaque et consequatur excepturi debitis. Consequatur numquam aut ut. Molestiae id labore aspernatur non omnis.

Qui dolorum et eos. Quibusdam est quia id voluptas omnis aspernatur esse. Sed odit velit qui recusandae voluptatum error. Fugit quas esse quia odio dolores laboriosam itaque facilis. Aut qui omnis architecto fugiat ipsa et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”