Python for IBD - Useful?

The people who are working on automation will know more about computer science than you ever will (read: PhD from top programs and top research qualifications). I wouldn't waste the time unless you want to go into trading where there's some moderate usability.

Nope

I think automation of these processes will be done by software engineers that are far more qualified as Canadian EnergyBanker mentioned. I would say it is useful learning a programming language if: You are genuinely interested in it(It could be your passion). If you would like to move to automated trading funds in the future. If you are interested in entrepreneurship(saves a lot of money if you could craft the prototype). If you are interested in becoming a general manager where there are programmers under your management(Always good to know what your co-workers are doing and give better time estimates etc).

No point whatsoever in learning this if you want to become an IBD analyst within the next 10 years

i might have said this before, but there's going to be little automation of the junior banker jobs because the senior members don't believe / don't understand automation. if you can't get them on board, you won't be able to automate anything.

No, not really.

VBA will be more useful because that will allow you to write custom functions in Excel and design user forms.

Unfortunately, not useful. You're way better off mastering Excel.

Learning basic programming (Java) helped me alot with Excel VBA, so it might be useful to understand the core fundamentals of programming. However you won't necessarily be your job, you might just use the concepts from time to time.