Investment Banking UK - Unusual background

Hi everyone!

I'm brazilian, and really interested in breaking into investment banking in UK, but because of my unusual background I'm having a hard time trying to find out the best way to do that.

My background:

  • Graduated in a target Business School in Brazil
  • 4 years of Full-Time experience in Structured Finance (specially Securitization and Real Estate Project Finance) in an important local boutique (worked in some big deals, begin to end)
  • Just passed CFA Level I exam
  • European citizenship

Trying to choose between:

A) Move to London and try to break in with some help of connections I have there (some few friends working there as analysts/associates)

B) Applying to a Masters in Finance in a target school in Europe or US (Stockholm School of Economics is a good choice because it's almost free for EU citizens an seems to have good placement for London jobs)

C) Applying to a Full-Time MBA in a target school in Europe or US

It would be nice staying in Structured Finance/Project Finance because of my previous experience, but I am considering any IB jobs, or even something on the buy side (structured finance products investors).

It's important to consider that unfortunately I'm almost 100% iliquid (I made some RE investments last year, but right now the market is horrible to sell), so if a choose for a master the SSE program would be the best option.

I would really appreciate if anyone could help me!!

Thanks!

5 Comments
 

don't waste ur money on a Master if u intend to do 1. an MBA later on 2. Have connections at ur target banks that can land u a job without having to do further studies...

 

Hic ut veniam corrupti veniam doloremque. Inventore ut cum id corporis voluptatem fugiat. Commodi aliquid quidem explicabo non earum illum. Consequatur omnis quia voluptate. Commodi qui distinctio et dolorem itaque ea veritatis.

Ea velit laborum voluptatem eaque ullam enim. Aut aliquam molestias sed rem. Exercitationem at et voluptatem minima rerum cupiditate. Est dolorem non a est quibusdam at.

Delectus facere ut in fugiat enim rerum impedit. Voluptates commodi non et omnis ratione numquam ut et. Aut architecto corporis eos doloribus quos aspernatur ut. Est et tempore aut maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”