I'm a contractor with lots of experience as a business analyst but none in investment banking. I seem to have have no way in to investement banking without prior experience. How have others made the transition?
213955
Investment banks definitely hire non-investment bank people some times.  They need "new blood".  Read some books on the products like John Hull's, "Options, Futures and other Derivatives" although that ones's a bit difficult.  You could also read up on www.investopedia.com.  Make sure you know what options, futures and swaps are.  Also know delta, gamma, vega and theta.\n\nYou'll need to go through a recruitment firm I'm sure.  When you finally do get an interview, if it's for developing trading software,  emphasize any real-time systems you may have worked on in the past.  Also your ability to work under pressure, on shorter term projects, and abilities to deal with difficult users.  Express an interest in finance.  Good luck.
433314
Hi,\n\nI have been self employed since 2001.\nThe first thing I did was attend a business link three day course.\nContact your local business link. Without them I wouldn't still be trading. They taught me almost everything I needed to know to start up mu business.\nhttp://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1076795303&tc=000KW151693675\n\n\nI've been with Abbey on-line business banking since I started. The account is FREE as long as you stay in credit. When I phoned them with a question, they were very helpful. I highly recomend the Abbey on-line acount\nhttp://www.anbusiness.com/business_account/\n\nGood luck\n\nPaul
167089
No, but typically, it's pretty inconvenient to invest with a company directly.  The easiest way is to open an account with a broker and execute your trades there.
78300
My background is Business Admin., and I own a mortgage company.\n\nIn business one of the most important factors to learn is risk assessment. Are the rewards greater than the possible loss?\nFrom your question my friend, is sounds like you already know what the best option for you is.
380002
You need to go to college and take business classes to start. You need a job and save your money so you can purchase the building and equipment. Never rely on others to full fill your dream. It only takes YOU and your hard work and determination.
31944
The SIPC insures your investments (not the FDIC, or SPIC, as people have suggested). Arthur Andersen was a consulting firm. The were a business services firm, nothing else. Other than the owners of Arthuer Andersen, their collapse didn't destroy anyone's assets.\n\nAlso, by holding your investments in multiple investment firms, you would likely expose yourself to more account fees.\n\nMyself, I own all of my mutual funds directly through the fund firms, for no other reason than to avoid fees and higher minimum purchases.
128529
I recently retired from the real estate business in Central Florida after 27 years. For the past two years I have been offering free business mentoring services to young entrepreneurs. I can offer a variety of small business ideas depending on your personal interest and abilities. I will also make myself available for consultations by email or phone. I do not charge for these services.\n\nI must tell you that it is very difficult to get any (legal) business into a positive cash flow position that would be equivalent to your full time job. Most businesses take at least a few months to a year or more to start generating that kind of income. Can you afford to wait?\n\nIf you want to know more, please feel free to write to Bruce at boatclub@go.com . I will you help if I can.
168824
First of all you need a business plan.  You can find the "how too's" of them on the internet for free anywhere. If you have a home or some collateral this would be a good thing to be able to put into the business plan. Then go to bank's and investment companies (it helps of you know an investment person), and don't give up.  The Small Businesss Adminstration (SBA) is a good place for info also.  There is so much good information out there places on the internet, and I am speaking of business web sites not just any fly by night.  American Express as well as others has a small business section that has articles and such.  I am attempting to do the same thing now for our business for growth capital.
646329
There is a huge difference between  bankers and venture capitalists. And I'm not just referring to the cost of borrowing so tread cautiously here.\n\nBefore I can provide you with advice I need a little more information. How long have you been in business?  About how many people work there?  Why do you need the money?\n\nJust a quick note " fund some of our operations " might suggest you need money just to keep the business open. If this is not the case it may be better to delete this part of your question.
67701
An investment banker matches investors with businesses that need to raise capital. They require excellent analytical and sales skills.
195397
I think most of the no money down, subject to, and lease option stuff is crap.  Perhaps after you have gained experience you can get deals no money down.  I lived in a college town also and saw the same thing happening in my town.  Rentals were everywhere.  I got started in real estate as a birddog.  I made $500 finding leads for an investor.  $10/ per lead he didn't have to close for me to be compensated.  There are only so many investment opportunities in one market though, so now after much debate I am becoming a realtor. Then I plan on being a commercial broker and THEN an investor. It is gonna take a while. I really think that you need the money/ experience/ connections/knowledge before getting into such a heavy endeavor with such thick legal implications and even scarier liabilities/consequences. If you don't know what you are doing you can get hauled off to jail for 3rd degree felonies with that no money down garbage.  Besides that most single family homes make next to no cashflow, especially with the way interest rates are going up. HARD WORK HARD WORK HARD WORK!
260653
do a diversification. eg: don't put all into one thing. \n\ndepending on when you will need the money, will determine your risk tolerance\n\nyou need to see your banker, and ask for the person who provides investment advise.  most banks provide this free of charge. \n\ngood luck. \n\nthe higher the risk, the higher the POTENTIAL for return. \n\nHowever, you know your own tolerance, don't invest in something too risky, UNLESS you can afford to lose it.
478198
They are called "financial advisor" but it is really a sales job.  Having worked in the field and having had my series 7 and worked for a nationwide firm, I wouldn't do it again if my life depended on it.  I had an undergrad in Finance and an MBA from a major university and had worked my way up to Assistant Vice President in a nationwide bank - I decided to change jobs and took the offer too.\n\nI knew a lot about investments (securities), stock market, economics, etc.  But, what I DIDN'T know was how to sell.  \n\nWhat they don't tell you is that they would rather hire a car salesman who can sell, versus hiring someone like me that understands investments and can't sell.\n\nAfter that fiasco, I went back and obtained 30 hours of accounting so that I could sit for the CPA exam and by doing so, also obtained my 2nd bachelors since I already had all the other crap from doing my finance degree, and I took and passed the CPA exam and work in accounting.\n\nIf you don't have a LARGE and I mean LARGE circle of friends and family that you can sell to, or you aren't comfortable selling anything to anyone, then it might not be the right field for you.  \n\nBest of luck to you.\n\n\n\nEDIT -\n\nOne last thought -  have you ever wondered why you see so many of these positions being advertised?  Turnover.  Makes you wonder, huh?\n\nGood luck to you.
535405
Hi!\nYou are a team of 4 to 5 people,so investment is not a problem.\n\nTry this out:\n1. Give an ad in a newspaper that you need a 12 or 24 seater ready callcenter capacity. (OR) Call up people who had given ads like "Callcenter capacity available". This will give you an idea about the infrastructure rate that you may require to invest.\n\n2. Contact consultants who are ready to give project. Of course, you will have to give them some lumsome money.\n\n3. Employees is not an problem. You can easily get talented youngsters for a reasonably good pay.\n\nBut, these are the rules:\n"Start with a minimum investment", "Invest in phases",\n"Show good response to your employers"\n"First project is the God for you"
460353
Create business plan. It must include projections for at least 2 years.\n\nMake sure you have 20% - 30% down payment\n\nMake sure you have collateral. The following is the formula to calculate collateral:\nCollateral = (Personal Real estate value*0.8 – Mortgage) + Commercial Real Estate Value * 0.8 + Equipment value *0.5 + Inventory *0.1\n\nMake sure your credit score is 680+.\n\nMake sure you have relevant experience. Banks will never finance career change.\n\nCollect all necessary financial documents:\n1)Personal tax returns for the last 3 years\n2)Business tax returns (for existing business) for the last 3 years\n3)Profit And Loss statement year to date\n\nCall your local banks. Ask if they do SBA loans.\n\nWhile choosing bank, keep in mind that banks are specialized entities If you wanted Chinese food, you wouldn’t go to a steak house, would you? Banks are organized the same way. You will never find a bank that does all types of businesses and all types of loans.\n\nDo your homework. Call the bank, ask for a business loan officer and describe your business type and your financial needs. Try to avoid banks that will give you a general answer: “We make our credit decision on a case per case basis”. Most likely you will waste money and most importantly your time.\n\nComplete loan application – make sure there is no arithmetical errors, mistypings and all personal financial information is correct.\n\nSubmit the complete package – all documents that were requested by the loan office, in the order that was requested to the bank.\n\nGood luck,\nMarina Lando\nPresident\nBusiness Loan Quest\nhttp://www.blquest.biz
408165
I work for an IFA (independent financial adviser) his role is to advise on mortgages, insurances, pensions and investments. He is really good at his job, pulls people out of a rut mortgage wise, sources all providers for the best deals going. Clients come back time and time again. So do investment clients just the same. They are a regulated company and really do work long hours and are very commit ed. If you are thinking of this kind of work you have to be committed and work very long hours, People expect you to visit after their working day, forgetting that you have already been at work all day. They do a good job, that's all I can say.
656671
I've been a hiring manager (in accounting not investment banking) for years, and we were generally looking for people right out of school.  I'd tell you that your internship and experience you picked up there are extremely important.  For one thing, you've already gotten your feet in the water in the business environment.. plus they can call the folks at Merrill that you worked with and ask about you.\n\nOn the other hand, 2.1 is *quite* low.  If I got a copy of your transcript (and I would, you can be sure) and saw all C's with a scattered in B and a scattered in D... I'd wonder if you had adequate foundation and understanding to do the work.