Industry Insights

1 month ago

Finance Roles Beyond IB

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When MBA aspirants think of a career in finance, Investment Banking (IB) is often the first and only thing that comes to mind. Itโ€™s high-paying, high-pressure, and high-profile. But finance is a much broader fieldโ€”and some of its most impactful roles lie beyond IB. If you're from an Indian B-school and exploring alternatives, three domains worth your attention are: Risk Management, Treasury, and Algorithmic Trading.


Risk Management โ€“ The Bankโ€™s Safety Net

What it is: Risk Managers safeguard financial institutions from losses due to credit defaults, market crashes, or operational failures.
What you do: You'll analyze portfolios, monitor regulatory compliance (think Basel III, RBI norms), and create models like Value at Risk (VaR).
Who hires: Banks like HDFC, HSBC, Citi, global firms like Goldman Sachs, and Big 4 consulting firms.
Ideal for: MBA grads with strong quant and analytical skills. Certifications like FRM or CFA help.
Why it matters: Less flashy than IB, but more stable, with decent pay and far better work-life balance.


Treasury โ€“ Mastering Cash and Liquidity

What it is: Treasury professionals manage a companyโ€™s cash, funding, and investments. At banks, they ensure liquidity; in corporates, they raise funds and manage risk.
What you do: Youโ€™ll oversee daily cash flows, interact with banks, hedge currency exposure, and plan capital allocation.
Who hires: Firms like Reliance, Tata, ICICI, SBI, Citi, and MNCs across sectors.
Ideal for: MBAs who enjoy strategy, operations, and macroeconomics.
Why it matters: Treasury roles offer exposure to the core financial heartbeat of a companyโ€”with regular hours and solid career progression.


Algorithmic Trading โ€“ Where Tech Meets Markets

What it is: Algo traders use code to automate trading decisions based on real-time data and market patterns.
What you do: Youโ€™ll backtest strategies, monitor trading systems, and optimize algorithms for execution.
Who hires: Quant firms like Tower Research, banks like JP Morgan, and hedge funds.
Ideal for: MBA grads with coding, math, or analytics skills. Proficiency in Python/C++ is a big plus.
Why it matters: Algo trading is growing fast in India. The hours are market-based, and top performers can earn as much or more than investment bankers.

1 Replies

  • Isha
    Isha

    1 month ago

    Insightful

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