IE Talent and Careers Hosts A-List Firms at Investment Banking Day

Some of the world’s top investment banking firms, including Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Rothschilds & Co., and Bank of America, convened at the IE Tower this week to meet with future candidates at IE Talent & Careers’ second edition of the IE Investment Banking Day.

The event, attended by 500 IE University students, featured flash presentations by each company to a packed auditorium and face-to-face conversations with more than 60 decision-makers from 11 of the world’s most prestigious investment banks at a cocktail. Companies on hand included: Bank of America, Citigroup, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Evercore, Jefferies, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, PJT Partners, UBS and Rothschild & Co.

“After a tough 2022 and 2023 for investment banking jobs, the success of our IE International Banking event marks a decisive and great comeback of the worldwide leading investment banking firms to directly engage, nurture, and attract the top talent from the best international universities,” said Javier Tordable, Head of Finance at IE Talent and Careers.

IE Talent and Careers is dedicated to providing students with direct access to industry leaders. The IB Day showcases the fruits of cultivating partnerships with top employers, aimed at equipping students for success and giving them a competitive edge in global markets. This event is part of a broader series dedicated to finance.

Many IE alumni represented their respective firms on panels that addressed recruitment processes and company culture, while emphasizing how crucial attending and networking at similar events during their time at IE had been for them.

“Around 70 percent of interview opportunities arise from networking,” said Rodrigo Hurtado, Head of the Master in Finance for Talent and Careers, “Recruitment processes in finance begin as early as August and finish by mid-fall, making this a critical moment to introduce students to potential employers.”

Maximilian Tempel, a graduate of the Master in Finance who attended the event from his role as vice president at a top firm, offered tips to students during the two-hour networking cocktail that followed.

“I find it remarkable how these events have grown,” he said, “I’m proud to belong to an institution that has continued to expand in this realm.”

Pablo Llordén, an IE alum and International Banking Associate at UBS revealed his journey began at Arcano before being hired at the investment bank and encouraged students to keep an open mind and avoid being disheartened at an initial wave of rejections from top companies.

One hot topic discussed by many of the representatives was a shift in their recruitment tendency, with an increase in hiring for off-cycle programs rather than summer internships.

“Events like these allow you to truly dig inside the industry and network with insiders from all levels,” said Artem Mikhailovskii, a third-year Bachelor in Business Administration and International Relations double major. “It was amazing to hear firsthand about the work ethic and culture of these firms, and how important it is to click into it.”

Next, IE Talent and Careers will host some of the world’s top asset and wealth management firms, including Black Rock and Goldman Sachs, at the IE Asset and Wealth Management Day on October 2^nd.