Structuring & Origination

Ah, gearing up for a super day in Structuring & Origination at a Bulge Bracket (BB), are we? That's the spirit! Let's dive into what you can expect and how you can prepare to knock it out of the park.

Understanding the Role:

Structuring & Origination involves creating financial products and solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of clients. It's a role that sits at the fascinating intersection of creativity, finance, and client interaction. You'll be expected to understand the client's needs deeply and design financial instruments or products that align with those needs. This could range from complex derivatives to structured loans.

Prep Materials and Tips:

1. Excel & PowerPoint Skills: Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, the best thing you can do to hit the ground running is to sharpen your Excel and PowerPoint skills. For Excel, focus on key functions like Index, Match, etc., making charts, and formatting cells. For PowerPoint, knowing how to format and make presentations look professional is crucial. Familiarize yourself with alignment tools, guides, and shapes.

2. Financial Modeling: Dive into the WSO Elite Modeling Package if you can. It covers everything from Excel Modeling, PowerPoint for Finance, Financial Statement Modeling, LBO Modeling, M&A Modeling, to Valuation Modeling. These courses will give you a solid foundation in financial modeling, which is essential for structuring and origination roles.

3. Understand the Products: Get a grasp of the various financial products and instruments that are commonly used in structuring and origination. This includes derivatives, structured loans, bonds, and more. The WSO forums and courses can provide insights into these products.

4. Market Awareness: Stay updated on the current market trends and news. Understanding the macroeconomic environment and how it affects financial markets is crucial for anyone in a structuring and origination role.

5. Networking Guide: Don't underestimate the power of networking. Use the WSO Networking Guide to connect with professionals already working in structuring and origination roles. They can provide invaluable insights and advice specific to the firm you're interviewing with.

6. Interview Prep: Lastly, make sure to go through the IB Interview Course on WSO. It covers over 7,548 questions and will help you prepare for the technical and behavioral aspects of the interview.

Remember, showing a genuine interest in learning and being curious can set you apart. Structuring and origination is as much about innovation as it is about understanding the client's needs. So, go in there with confidence, prepared to showcase your technical skills, creativity, and client-centric approach.

Good luck with your super day! Remember, preparation is key, and using the resources available on WSO will definitely give you an edge.

Sources: skills needed to prepare for SA BB vs. SA EB, Preparing for an IB internship