Corporate Banker Job Description
The control and ownership of incorporated companies is distributed to many joint owners called shareholders. While this structure allows certain advantages, it also introduces much complexity. Specialized bankers deal with the complicated and unique needs of corporate finance. Also called "investment bankers," corporate bankers also perform tasks similar to personal bankers.
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Saving and Lending
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Like individuals, corporations use credit and money. Companies need to keep cash on hand to meet immediate needs like payroll; thus, they maintain accounts that function much like any other savings or checking account, though on a much larger scale than most individuals. For some projects, loans are needed and the government recognizes corporations as "legal persons," able to obtain credit. Corporate bankers operate much like personal bankers or loan officers in these capacities.
Investments
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Because corporations often hold large amounts of money, for which they have no immediate need, they often seek to put this money to work for them and yield more interest. To this end, investment bankers advise or act as brokers for various financial instruments. The bankers may recommend stocks, bonds, futures or many other investment vehicles. It depends upon such factors as the return the corporation desires, when it will need the money back and the degree of risk it is willing to accept.
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Stocks and Bonds
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One of the most advantageous aspects of the corporate structure is the ability to raise funds by issuing bonds (debt instruments) and common stock (equity instruments). Conceptually, these activities are simple. The company sells bonds to investors, then issues a regular payment to the bondholders until the bond matures. Upon maturity, the original sale price of the bond is refunded to the bondholder. Stock is sold to the public, which gives buyers partial company ownership and control. Each share of stock entitles the holder to an equal share of company profits and one vote to be used in each issue the board of directors puts up for a vote. While these may not seem terribly complicated, the laws and regulations surrounding the issue and trading of securities requires extensive specialized knowledge.
Education
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Investment banks vary in size; thus, there is some variation in the education standards of applicants. The largest and most prestigious institutions may demand an MBA from an elite university; the financial sector employs workers with terminal degrees in their disciplines, paying a premium for their credentials and experience. However, smaller establishments, or the more junior positions within the larger ones, may only require a bachelor's degree. Finance and economics are the most desirable majors.
Conditions and Salary
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Bankers almost invariably work indoors, in comfortable conditions. Most time is spent either on the telephone; in meetings; or on a computer, doing research or analysis. The more prestigious and well-paid positions have comparably less mundane activities. An investment banker's salary is ill-spent on filing or making coffee, when support staff can do these tasks for a fraction of the cost to the firm. Despite the physical ease and status of the position, the banker does have the challenges of long, irregular hours and considerable stress. Pay is generally commensurate with the size of the company and the affluence of its clients.
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References
- Photo Credit bank image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com
