Investment Banking: What It Really Is and How It Works

When people talk about investment banking, a field where firms help companies raise capital, merge, or sell assets. Also known as corporate finance, it's the engine behind major business deals—from startups going public to giants buying competitors. This isn’t about telling customers how to save for retirement. It’s about moving hundreds of millions, sometimes billions, of dollars in ways that reshape entire industries.

Behind every IPO, merger, or acquisition, there’s a team of investment bankers, professionals who analyze financial data, build models, and advise clients on deals. They work with financial modeling, the process of creating spreadsheets to predict a company’s future performance under different scenarios. These models aren’t just charts—they’re decision tools that determine whether a company should sell, buy, or raise cash. And yes, they’re hard to build. But they’re also the core skill that separates entry-level analysts from senior advisors.

Most people think investment banking means long hours in New York or London. But it’s also happening in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, where global banks and local firms are expanding fast. If you’re good with numbers, can handle pressure, and want to be at the center of business moves, this path opens doors—not just in finance, but in tech, consulting, and even startups. The skills you learn here—analyzing data, negotiating deals, presenting to CEOs—are valued everywhere.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and practical guides: how to break into the field, what salaries look like, which degrees help, and what tools you actually need to know. No fluff. Just what works.