SIE Exam? Commercial Banking transition

I’m 24 and 6 months into my first job (MM commercial banking) after completing my MBA and working for a boutique developer (analyst). I would like to move out West (in the Midwest now) and make the switch from this credit shop to IB/REIB. Is completing the SIE materially valuable? I’m studying now and the thought was that it would show I’ve taken some initiative even though it’s table stakes. I’d like to be a considerable candidate for any of the roles I come across. For context: non-target undergrad and MBA w/ 3.5+ during both, development internship, D1 athletics, now in commercial banking. Oh, and I’m DEI— tall, dark, and handsome!

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SIE is pretty much required for banking across the street so doing it before you’re required would look better than if you didn’t. That being said the market is complete shit right now. It’s going to be almost impossible to score an IB gig from a non-IB background. With all the layoffs across the street and a solid year before we’ll see tangible progress in interest rates…you’ll be competing against not only sweaty ungrads who didn’t get SA or FT offers but a large amount of existing IB ex-analysts/associates that got canned and are looking for a way back in.

 

Leverage your current experience. Have a good story. Always be ready you never know when an opportunity comes up…I didn’t come from SA position this past summer and got an offer through constant prep and a lot of luck.

 

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