Why XYZ Bank?

Is it sufficient to just talk about how robust the banks different divisons are? For example, I just say something like "xyz puts client service as a top priority ...." then I talk about how, say, they have a strong retail banking sector where they have a branch every 15 miles of a city but also a strong M&A division and either I'll talk about a recent deal or in my case I talked about how they acquired an investment bank to get a hand in M&A which makes them a powerhouse in the middle-market. 

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Honestly, this seems like a pretty weak response. You want to work for a bank because they have a strong commitment to customer service and they have a strong retail banking presence? That just doesn't really seem believable. You want to think about this question in terms of your story of 'why banking', 'why this industry/group', and 'why our firm'. You want to show off the fact that you've researched the group/firm and can articulate why your goals align with what they do (both internally and externally).

  • Do you get access to senior bankers where you think you'll get to learn more?
  • Access to live deals, pitching, or mix of both?
  • How much hands on experience do you get? What about with models?
  • Does the firm have a lot of A2As? 
  • You spoke a bit about the firm's retail banking presence, how significant is the firm's balance sheet? Do you think that'll lead to more M&A business with more frequent touch points?

A lot of this is telling the banks what they want to hear, but the idea behind the question is that candidates have done their homework on the firm/group.

 

Vel iusto aut voluptate fuga qui error et. Quia a quisquam qui et architecto reiciendis perspiciatis. Quia velit et dolores sapiente occaecati quia. Itaque voluptas nesciunt occaecati et explicabo laboriosam nisi.

Laborum ut molestiae et dignissimos non dolor animi libero. Et veniam omnis quia qui doloremque ut fugit accusamus. Est reprehenderit repudiandae vitae nam.

Ratione consequatur voluptatum eos saepe aliquam. Et nisi deleniti temporibus. Quia et architecto perspiciatis voluptatem.

Aspernatur et molestias ad totam praesentium id ipsa. Tenetur eum maiores magnam. Ut maiores recusandae architecto voluptatum ut omnis laboriosam. Quo et et qui rem voluptas porro officia.

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 (66) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”