Updated on 01/07/2026

What Is Investment Banking? An Overview of the Industry

Key Takeaways

Investment banking is a diverse financial industry in which banks advise companies on transactions, financing, and strategic decisions, requiring strong analytical and quantitative skills.
The industry offers multiple career paths and specializations, ranging from Tech, Healthcare, and Real Estate to traditional product and coverage teams, allowing for early and focused skill development.

Do you have a strong interest in finance, mathematics, and numbers? Are you skilled at advising others and analyzing and solving complex problems? If so, a career in investment banking might be the right path for you. This demanding profession requires discipline and ambition, but it can also be highly rewarding. In this section, we provide the key insights you need to understand this dynamic field. Enjoy exploring!

Table of contents

Career Paths and Specializations in Investment Banking

Investment banking is far more diverse than it may appear at first glance. Beyond the traditional career progression from Analyst to Managing Director, there are numerous specialized teams that shape both daily work and long term career focus. Each specialization comes with its own priorities, tools, and ways of working, allowing you to develop a clear professional profile early on that aligns with your interests.

If you would like a deeper understanding of the individual fields, you will find in depth articles covering the most important areas of investment banking.