Lateral from Corporate/Commercial Banking

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to know:

For a junior year summer analyst (SA) role in commercial or corporate banking with the goal of lateraling to investment banking (IB) or leveraged finance (LevFin), targeting the right companies is crucial. Here are some recommendations:

Top Corporate Banks to Target

1. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo
   These are the top players in corporate banking, with strong balance sheets and significant exposure to syndicated loans and capital markets. They also have established pathways for lateraling into IB or LevFin roles.

2. BMO, RBC, and BNP Paribas
   These banks are solid options, especially for corporate banking roles. They have a strong presence in credit underwriting and loan syndications, which are transferable skills for IB or LevFin.

3. Regional and National Players
   Consider banks like U.S. Bank, PNC, and Truist. While they may not have the same global reach, they offer robust corporate banking programs and can provide a stepping stone to IB.

Why These Banks?

• Exposure to Syndications and Capital Markets: Many of these banks use their corporate banking teams to support investment banking activities, giving you exposure to deal processes and client interactions.
• Transferable Skills: Corporate banking roles at these firms often involve credit underwriting, financial analysis, and structuring deals, which are highly applicable to IB and LevFin.

Tips for Maximizing Your Chances

1. Networking: Most internships are secured through networking. Leverage LinkedIn, alumni networks, and informational interviews to connect with professionals in your target firms.
2. Interview Prep: Focus on credit basics, understanding asset-based lending (ABL) revolvers, and the specific space the bank operates in. These are key areas for corporate banking interviews.
3. Highlight Relevant Experience: Your exposure to credit risk, securitization, and loan portfolios is highly relevant. Emphasize these experiences in your applications and interviews.

Next Steps

• Keep an eye on job postings from these banks, especially on platforms like Indeed.com or your university’s career portal.
• Continue interviewing with the banks you’ve already engaged with (e.g., Bank of America, Wells Fargo, BMO, RBC, BNP Paribas) and expand your applications to include other top and regional players.

This approach will position you well for a corporate banking SA role and increase your chances of lateraling to IB or LevFin.

Sources: Why corporate banking instead of investment banking?, S&T Summer Analyst Lateral to IB FT?, Tips for incoming summer analyst in Corporate Banking?, Why corporate banking instead of investment banking?, An Overview of Corporate Banking