asset management

Basically I'm a sophmore with an offer for summer for HSBC alternative assets in RE. I'm interested in the role as it is AM but I'm worried I get too pigeonholed into RE considering 2/3 of my past experiences are in the RE sector (freshman summer - RE developer, sophmore in-semester intern - VC,...

06 Feb 2023

Hi! Welcome to a free-for-all asset management Q&A sessions. Here is a little bit about myself and my background: -Current Vice President in quantitative risk at BlackRock, covering equity iShares -Previously spent 3 years at large asset manager in quantitative risk covering fundamental and...

27 Jan 2023

Hey everyone! I was hoping to get you input on a situation I have with the firm I interned in 2021. In summer 2021, I worked with an asset management firm (AUM over $2 trillion) as a summer associate and I was able to secure a FT offer with them. I ended up accepting the offer, but my graduation...

23 Jan 2023

Recently came across an article stating this "No matter where you live, a finance career could earn multiples of the median household income in your country - although these numbers are much lower outside of the US." Does a career in high finance offer the same ROI in Canada (or elsewhere) as it...

23 Jan 2023

I have an interview upcoming for an investment graduate programme at a 100bn+ asset manager. I have interviewed before at PIMCO so I'm kinda aware of what the competency questions could be. But given that this AM invests across all the asset classes, what should I know for the technicals? The reason...

23 Jan 2023

Hey, new guy on here (in college with both PE and PC internship experience - one more year after this since I am getting an MS in Finance) who is interested in working in opportunistic/distressed debt. preface: ignoring the feasibility of entering the space or my stats, not looking at if I can get...

23 Jan 2023

I wanted to start a discussion here about how to get your foot in the door when applying for AM roles. I see too many misconceptions out there in these forums. If anyone is interested in breaking into the asset management industry, feel free to reach out. what's most important these days is the...

21 Jan 2023

Greetings. Are there any training programs/books to get up to speed on AM? Not looking to work in AM but want to have a decent understanding of those areas with real-world examples. I am not looking at certifications like CFA. My experience is more in Accounting and Systems. Thanks for your time....

20 Jan 2023

Hi there, The world of finance is huge and I'm having trouble narrowing down what specific industry I want to go into. For example, hedge funds are my goal but do I pursue quant, research, trader, PM? If anyone can provide clarification that would be great as I have many questions and hope to learn...

16 Jan 2023

I know that it's a suuuuper long shot, but what are the best ways to break into AM/HF (LO or L/S) from a non-finance (industry or function) pre-MBA background? The only relevant exposure I have to AM/HF is that I passed the CFA Level 1. I feel like taking classes on these subjects during my MBA...

07 Jan 2023

I don't know how many people will see or read this but it's worth a shot. Some info below: I am currently in high school but ahead of the curve in terms of knowledge and experience so this is thinking really far ahead but I still hope to gain some advice. As I just stated, I am a sophomore in high...

07 Jan 2023

Hi, Hope everyone is well. I am an ISTJ (inspector), personality type - kind of bang on for my personality: Pros: Logical and methodical, and often enjoy tasks that require me to use step-by-step reasoning to solve a problem. Meticulous in their attention to details and conscientious. Cons: I'm...

04 Jan 2023

I am a current sophomore at a solid/decent target undergrad business program with a pretty good finance placement record heading into my recruiting semester for IB. I still don't really know what I want to do with my life, but the general field of finance is probably where I will end up unless...

19 Dec 2022

Hey all, Current final year student keen to see if anyone has any opinions on the ranking of AM firms in Australia. In Australia should I go for pure-play or divisions (pros/cons?) Biggest worry is the name value of big AM's in Australia.

09 Dec 2022

Hi guys, Did anyone attend HSBC - AM (Alternatives) AC already? Wondering if anyone could share some insights about the technical questions. Or any tips for preparing interviews, especially the technical part for AM? Thanks

26 Nov 2022

Hi! I'm near to finish my Bachelor of Laws at an university outside the US and UK. I recently discovered my interest in finance so I want to continue my studies in something that can lead me to a job, preferably, in AM (or ER). I'm afraid that an MSc in finance immediately after graduating won't be...

24 Nov 2022

Currently have an offer for a private funds group (group does secondaries and PE fundraising) and for a venture debt company. The private funds group is at a BB (technically a boutique now, iykyk) and the venture debt firm is one of the market leaders. Not sure if it's better to try to rotate within...

21 Nov 2022

I'm starting as a summer analyst at a large NYC-based manager next summer and they'll be reaching out for me to complete a drug screening in the next few months. I know that per NY law it is illegal for NYC employers to test for cannabis (and deny employment based on cannabis use) but I'm unsure of...

11 Nov 2022

Hello WSO, I am 16 and have been interested in investing since I was 11. I opened my first brokerage account at 12. Likewise, I recently started managing accounts for some friends and family, including retirement. That being said, I plan on starting a partnership once I turn old enough to do so....

08 Nov 2022

It's very hard to find information about asset management salaries. Does anybody know approximate range of base and bonus for asset managers? I assume it varies by firms. What are the salaries of T.Rowe, Fidelity, Capital, Wellington? Also, American Century and Artisan Partners? Is it similar to...

04 Nov 2022

Hi - this is my first post on here so bear with me. I just heard back from UBS AM in NYC and was invited to the Superday in December. Has anyone been through the process? I've never had a superday before so I'm not exactly sure what to expect. What would you say I should focus on the most? Thanks!

01 Nov 2022

Have the opportunity to join the AM division at one of the big 5 Canadian banks in Toronto (RBC, TD, BMO), within the Investment Management function covering one of the asset groups (equities, fixed income, alts, etc.). I've been recruiting for IBD but didn't land anything. Now that I'm presented...

29 Oct 2022

Have the opportunity to join the AM division at one of the big 5 Canadian banks in Toronto (RBC, TD, BMO), within the Investment Management function covering one of the asset groups (equities, fixed income, alts, etc.). I've been recruiting for IBD but didn't land anything. Now that I'm presented...

29 Oct 2022

Applying for JP Morgan Chase Asset Management Product Sophomore Summer Analyst position, and I'm given the option to choose between investor analyst and banker analyst placement areas. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but what is the difference in these roles/general responsibilities within...

26 Oct 2022

What is the best track to being a high level portfolio manager? (I assume a high level PM can make more than an MD?) Is it ER Associate -> ER Analyst -> Exit opportunity to asset management/hedge fund? I've read that IBD is going to have better HF/PE exit opportunities, so would IBD be a better path...

25 Oct 2022

I am recent graduate from Canada with an Honours BCom degree (major in Finance) and am hoping to get into AM. In terms of GPA, I would say it is is average (about 3.5/4.0). I have about a year of actual internship experience, however it was a marketing role during my first year of university. I have...

25 Oct 2022

Can someone share a list of small IBs/ PE firms or AM firms that provide good short-term experience on speculative applications?

20 Oct 2022

Looking to break into AM I have compiled a list of programmes in Europe, if someone could give me a ranking. I know of the well-known UK masters but they're out of my price range. I am European and speak only English and looking to work in London. I've picked MSc that are about a year or a year and...

19 Oct 2022

Looking to break into AM I have compiled a list of programmes in Europe, if someone could give me a ranking. I know of the well-known UK masters but they're out of my price range. I am European and speak only English and looking to work in London. I've picked MSc that are about a year or a year and...

18 Oct 2022

Currently in the interview process with a Hedge Fund, Asset Management, and Family Office. Family Office opportunity is with a large family well-known office ( Think Cascade, Walton Enterprises, MSD Partners, Soros). The opportunity would be an investment analyst on a team describing themselves as "...

17 Oct 2022

Hi all, I am a longtime lurker and but would like to solicit this forum for some advice on career trajectory. I have been working at the family office of a NY billionaire for the past 18 months as the only junior investment professional (the guy is my direct superior). Several weeks ago, I was told...

13 Oct 2022

Has anyone heard back from BlackRock about the interview schedule for the Non-accelerator interviews? If so have you had interviews / SDs / Offers? I haven't heard anything from the team.

13 Oct 2022

Hi all. Soon I'll be starting a role as an associate asset manager at a value-add RE private equity firm with $1B AUM. The firm runs lean and I'll be the second-in-command to the director of asset management. Also, a lot of work is needed after acquisition since the investment strategy is firmly...

09 Oct 2022

What would you guys say is the most effective way to keep track of openings and stay on the ball, timing-wise? The London IB cycle has swooshed completely over my head this year because I couldn't monitor the openings. I know the business school guys have some spreadsheets circling round, but am yet...

07 Oct 2022

I currently have an outstanding offer for a junior summer internship at a fairly well regarded asset manager in New Jersey (you can probably figure out which one lol). That being said, it is a position in fixed income, and there does not seem to be a ton of mobility for junior talent. I have been...

27 Sep 2022

Current junior here. My end goal is to become a portfolio manager of a mutual fund/potentially a HF, so ideally I would want to skip IB. Pros and Cons for each: Credit Research at LO AM: Pros: Solid (at least according to WSO) buy-side shop within the fixed income investing sphere. Not a PIMCO but...

16 Sep 2022

Hi everyone, I have an interview for an invesment analyst role soon at an asset manager. According to the recruiter, the interview will just be a case study and the only thing she told me about it is that I will get 90 mins to prepare and then 30 mins to present. I wanted to post about it here and...

10 Sep 2022

Hi, I'm a penult student in Australia doing an IB internship at a BB this summer, but I've also been looking into starting as a grad at a fund. I've previously done an internship at an ASX100 fund but that place didn't hire grads. There are very few grad opportunities in AM here and it's not a...

10 Sep 2022

What is NCREIF's visibility and reputation within different corners of the industry? Even hearing " I work in ____ and have never heard of them" or "I know someone with the designation in ____" would be helpful. I've seen some people who do private placements who have the designation but that it- it...

08 Sep 2022

In theory, let's say you are exposed to MNPI for a company event in the future that may happen, and you know that the stock price could be positively impacted by the possible good news. Let's assume 1) you don't the exact month it is going to happen 2) if it will be successful 3) and how the market...

06 Sep 2022

An opportunity has opened for me to be making approx $700k/yr doing wealth management/financial advising. My ultimate goal is to start an investment company like Berkshire Hathaway, or start a hedge fund. Just something that does pure capital appreciation and not life insurance, annuities,...

03 Sep 2022

I am interested in breaking into pure play Asset Management from undergrad. I've noticed that many firms recruit undergrads (T Rowe, Fidelity, Wellington), but I would like insight into the process and difficulty breaking in. A couple of questions to spur discussion: Is it a hyper-target-only...

01 Sep 2022

The situation A beneficial ownership registry outlines the real person who controls assets held within a registered company or trust. From a financial transparency perspective, this registry helps strip away the abuse of corporate vehicles, strategically used to mask ownership. Though politically, a...

26 Aug 2022

I would argue that one of the best ways to measure career potential in small AM shops would be to track AUM per head. After what threshold would you guys classify that figure to be good / extraordinary? And would you include operations and HR employees into your calculations? I calculated revenue...

23 Aug 2022

Hey everyone, I recently graduated and I'm looking for advice on my career path. I've been an Valuation and Advisory Analyst (appraisal) on the Senior Housing team at one of the big brokerages (CBRE, JLL, Cushman) for a little over a year now. Appraisals is not my long term goal. Ideally, I would...

20 Aug 2022

The situation #BlackRock is widely known as the world's largest asset manager by assets under management, overseeing north of $10 trillion since the beginning of 2022. Less well known, however, is that BlackRock supports the management of a further $20 trillion through its portfolio management...

19 Aug 2022

Hey all! Need some advice. I lost my job recently in WM at an EB firm because I didn't pass my Series 7 (all attempts) by a small margin. I was there for just under a year. It was my first job out of college. Hiring slowdown at the firm so couldn't switch roles. How best should/could I proceed with...

14 Aug 2022

I have an upcoming final stage interview day for the role mentioned above. The day will consist of 3 interviews and a 1 hour excel test. Can anybody provide insight towards my interview prep? Thanks in advance.

11 Aug 2022

Hey all, I realise it's a little odd, but been thinking recently about whether or not the skills acquired in active asset management (think experience in shops like Fidelity, Wellington, etc) lend themselves to a career in corporate development/M&A, at the very companies you used to cover? Imo, it...

27 Jul 2022

I'm doing my first real ER internship at a pretty large AM ($100B+) and getting visibility, doing well on my presentations, etc. But the place doesn't hire a ton, especially with the markets looking awful and I don't think I can count on a return offer. To be safe, I want to start looking for FT...

16 Jul 2022