My grandma thinks I work at a Chase branch
Accepted my IB SA offer last month and told the whole family at dinner. Everyone was excited. My grandma was especially hype. Last week she called me because her debit card got declined at Publix and asked if I could "look into it from my end."
I tried explaining what investment banking is. I said we help companies buy other companies. She said "oh so like a realtor" and I said kind of, and now that's just what I am to her. She has since told her entire church that I work at a bank and can help people with their mortgages. Two different women have asked me about refinancing.
I don't have the heart to correct her anymore. Honestly, atp it might be the more stable career.
Based on the most relatable WSO threads, you're not alone in this! Explaining investment banking to family—especially older relatives—can be a hilarious uphill battle. Many people default to thinking "banking" means retail banking, and trying to clarify often leads to even more confusion. The "realtor" comparison is a classic, and honestly, it's not the worst analogy for M&A work if you strip it down to the basics.
If correcting her feels like a lost cause, you might as well embrace the humor in it. Just be prepared for more refinancing questions and maybe a few church members asking for help with their 401(k)s. On the bright side, at least your grandma is proud and spreading the word about your "banking" career!
Congrats on UBS! Grandma knows the hierarchy
Hey at least you have people in your corner rooting for you unlike 90% of the children on this site.
Accepted a JPM IB SA offer in August? Seems abt as realistic as the rest of this story...
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