10 Top Investment Banks In The World (And How To Get Hired At Them)

For ambitious finance students, investment banking remains the ultimate proving ground. The hours are long, the expectations are high, and the learning curve is steep, but the payoff in skill, network, and opportunity is unmatched. These firms sit at the center of global capital markets, advising on mergers, IPOs, and restructurings that shape entire industries.

Understanding who the top investment banks are is the first step. Knowing how to stand out to their recruiters and senior bankers is what turns curiosity into an offer.

If your goal is to land at one of these institutions, structured preparation is non‑negotiable. Cook’d AI helps you master technicals, behavioral delivery, and deal reasoning through daily drills and mock interviews built around real firm playbooks.

What defines a top investment bank

Investment banking firms are ranked by a mix of quantitative and qualitative metrics. League tables from Refinitiv, Bloomberg, and Dealogic track deal volume and value across M&A, equity capital markets, and debt capital markets. Prestige also comes from client relationships, sector expertise, and the consistency of their deal flow.

Top banks combine global reach with deep specialization. They advise on cross‑border mergers, structure complex financings, and manage wealth for the world’s most influential institutions and individuals. Analysts and associates at these firms gain exposure to corporate finance, valuation, and advisory services at a scale few other roles can match.

With that context, here are the firms consistently leading the rankings and what makes each one stand out to both clients and recruiters.

The top 10 investment banks in the world

1. Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs remains the benchmark for excellence in investment banking. Its dominance spans M&A, capital markets, and wealth management. The firm’s alumni network extends across Wall Street, private equity, and government.

Notable deals: Apple’s multibillion‑dollar bond issuance and Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware.

Recruiting focus: Analytical precision, leadership under pressure, and clear communication. Goldman values candidates who can think independently and defend their reasoning.

2. J.P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan Chase is one of the largest global investment banks by revenue, with balanced strength across advisory, equity, and debt markets. Its stability and client relationships make it a cornerstone of global financial services.

Notable deals: Airbnb’s IPO and Rivian’s IPO.

Recruiting focus: Strong fundamentals in accounting, modeling, and corporate finance. Candidates must show consistency across multiple interview rounds and a grasp of both detail and big‑picture strategy.

3. Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley blends elite advisory capability with a forward‑looking culture. Its franchise is particularly strong in technology, consumer, and real estate sectors.

Notable deals: Tesla’s secondary offering and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Recruiting focus: The firm values candidates who combine technical mastery with a client‑first mindset and authenticity.

4. Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch

Bank of America’s investment banking arm is a bulge bracket powerhouse with a strong U.S. base and global reach. It excels in leveraged finance, M&A, and capital markets.

Notable deals: Financing packages for Amazon and capital raises for Boeing.

Recruiting focus: Teamwork, resilience, and commercial awareness. The firm looks for candidates who can balance technical skill with collaboration.

5. Citi (Citigroup)

Citi operates across more than ninety countries, giving it unmatched exposure to emerging markets and sovereign advisory work. Its global network makes it a key player in ESG‑linked issuances and cross‑border financings.

Notable deals: Multiple sovereign debt restructurings and sustainability‑linked bonds across Asia and Latin America.

Recruiting focus: Adaptability, global perspective, and analytical rigor. Citi values candidates who can interpret macro trends and communicate across cultures.

6. Barclays

Barclays combines European heritage with a strong U.S. presence. It has built a reputation for cross‑border advisory and financing mandates across sectors from healthcare to energy.

Notable deals: High‑profile M&A transactions for blue‑chip European and U.S. corporates.

Recruiting focus: Attention to detail, composure under deal intensity, and comfort with complex transaction structures.

7. UBS

UBS is a global leader in wealth management with a growing investment banking platform, strengthened by its acquisition of Credit Suisse. The combined firm now offers integrated advisory, capital markets, and asset management capabilities.

Notable deals: Strategic financings and M&A advisory across financial institutions and technology sectors.

Recruiting focus: Communication polish, capital markets fluency, and long‑term relationship‑building aptitude.

8. Evercore

Evercore is a premier independent advisory firm known for elite M&A and restructuring expertise. Its boutique structure offers analysts direct exposure to senior bankers and clients.

Notable deals: Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox and Qualcomm’s proposed acquisition of NXP.

Recruiting focus: Intellectual curiosity, technical depth, and readiness for high responsibility early in the career.

9. Lazard

Lazard’s legacy in advisory services stretches back over a century. The firm leads in strategic M&A and restructuring, often advising governments and large corporations on complex transactions.

Notable deals: Major sovereign debt advisories and global restructurings.

Recruiting focus: Macro awareness, creativity under constraint, and global perspective.

10. Centerview Partners

Centerview Partners is a top‑tier boutique investment bank that consistently ranks near the top of M&A league tables despite its smaller size. Its model emphasizes deep client relationships and long‑term advisory.

Notable deals: Pfizer’s spin‑off of Upjohn and Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

Recruiting focus: Analytical sharpness, humility, and cultural fit. Centerview’s small teams mean every analyst has a direct impact.

Other notable names in recent years

Several firms outside the traditional bulge-bracket group continue to stand out for consistent deal activity and specialized advisory strengths. These banks provide strong exposure across corporate finance, capital markets, and strategic advisory, offering diverse entry points into investment banking careers.

• Jefferies: Strong presence in investment banking with broad sector coverage and deep ties to private equity and middle-market sponsors. 
• Moelis & Company: Global independent advisory firm with meaningful restructuring and strategic advisory capabilities.
• Houlihan Lokey: Leading global investment bank with well-known strength in financial restructuring and valuation/financial advisory. 
• PJT Partners: Advisory-focused firm with top-tier restructuring and a broad strategic advisory practice.
• Perella Weinberg Partners: Global independent advisory firm providing strategic and financial advice, including M&A and capital structure-related work.
• RBC Capital Markets: Full-service investment banking platform across M&A, equity capital markets, and debt capital markets. 
• Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and HSBC: Major European/global banks with broad capital markets capabilities and significant activity in sustainable finance and ESG-linked financing.
• Wells Fargo: Active corporate and investment banking platform with capital markets capabilities (including debt and equity).
• Rothschild & Co: Global independent adviser known for cross-border M&A and long-term, relationship-driven advisory. 

How to get hired at a top investment bank

Securing an offer from a bulge-bracket or elite-boutique investment bank requires more than strong academic performance. Recruiters evaluate whether candidates can combine technical competence with structured communication, professionalism, and resilience throughout a demanding selection process. To prepare effectively, focus on developing the following areas:

• Technical fundamentals: Build a strong foundation in accounting, valuation methodologies such as discounted cash flow and comparable company analysis, and the mechanics of leveraged buyouts. Interviewers expect you to explain your reasoning clearly, not simply arrive at the correct number.
• Modeling and productivity tools: Develop advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, as these are the primary tools used in financial modeling, analysis, and pitch-book preparation.
• Behavioral readiness: Prepare concise, structured responses to questions such as “Why investment banking?” and be ready with leadership, teamwork, and conflict-management examples that demonstrate maturity and self-awareness.
• Strategic networking: Conduct thoughtful outreach through LinkedIn, alumni networks, and informational interviews, supported by timely and personalized follow-ups that reflect genuine interest in the firm and role.
• Industry awareness: Maintain a working understanding of current market trends, recent transactions, and key sector developments to show intellectual engagement with the profession.
• Professional endurance: Cultivate the stamina to perform consistently across extended recruiting cycles, including multiple technical rounds and Superdays, while maintaining focus and composure.
• Core professional skills: Demonstrate clear written and verbal communication, attention to detail, organization, and a strong work ethic, as these traits signal long-term reliability in high-pressure environments.

Structured preparation changes outcomes. Cook’d AI drills these skills daily through simulated “real mock” interviews for specific firms and roles, complete with feedback on tone, pacing, and reasoning.

Breaking into finance without a network

Many successful analysts started without family connections or target‑school backgrounds. What set them apart was consistency. They built networks through LinkedIn, refined resumes to highlight quantifiable results, and practiced until their delivery felt natural.

Cook’d AI’s diagnostic onboarding builds a customized plan to close your gaps. It identifies weak points in technical knowledge, communication, and confidence, then generates daily practice sets that mirror real interviews at firms like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Evercore. Lack of connections no longer means lack of opportunity.

Final thoughts and next steps

The banks listed above define excellence in global finance. They lead in M&A, capital markets, and advisory, shaping the direction of industries and economies. But excellence is built, not inherited.

Landing an offer at a top investment bank takes structure, repetition, and timing. Cook’d AI turns that process into a plan with daily drills, real mocks, and personalized analytics that transform ambition into offers.

Start your diagnostic assessment now and receive a customized preparation roadmap that addresses your specific strengths and development areas. The same firms that seem impossibly selective today are actively searching for prepared candidates who can contribute from day one. Your preparation starts now.