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Is ABB good enough for investment banking

Hi everyone. I'm worried about whether I would even be accepted in IB in the future.I'm currently in my first year studying Economics and I got ABB for Alevels. I had 2 internships with JP Morgan and EY and I want to apply to more but I'm worried that with my grades they'll just discard my application straight away. What are my chances of gaining internships and a job with ABB?
(edited 2 years ago)
I don't get it. You're staring evidence in the face that they won't discard your application...
Reply 2
Original post by anonuser99
I don't get it. You're staring evidence in the face that they won't discard your application...

Oh I went to those internships in Year 12 before getting my Alevel results (sorry for not making that clear early on). Now, I’m just anxious about my chances for internships for first year/second year uni applicants because they ask for Alevel grades and mine aren’t that high
(edited 2 years ago)
Yes ABB is fine, and actually the minimum required by most firms anyway. I had an AC at JP Morgan for Wholesale Payments and Corporate Banking, which is a function within their Investment and Corporate Bank with ABB, and have had a lot of interviews for similar functions at other BBs and European & Asian banks. For IBD/corporate finance/M&A whatever, you should be fine as well. I think the Big 4 require ABB for those roles, Santander require ABB ... You get the picture, you shouldn't have any issues.
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 4
Original post by econhelp525
Yes ABB is fine, and actually the minimum required by most firms anyways. I had an AC at JP Morgan for Wholesale Payments and Corporate Banking, which is a function within their Investment and Corporate Bank with ABB, and have had a lot of interviews for similar functions at other BBs and European & Asian banks. For IBD/corporate finance/M&A whatever, you should be fine as well. I think the Big 4 require ABB for those roles, Santander require ABB ... You get the picture, you shouldn't have any issues.

Thank you for reply! Hopefully I can add more experiences to my CV so I won't fall short
Reply 5
Original post by econhelp525
Yes ABB is fine, and actually the minimum required by most firms anyway. I had an AC at JP Morgan for Wholesale Payments and Corporate Banking, which is a function within their Investment and Corporate Bank with ABB, and have had a lot of interviews for similar functions at other BBs and European & Asian banks. For IBD/corporate finance/M&A whatever, you should be fine as well. I think the Big 4 require ABB for those roles, Santander require ABB ... You get the picture, you shouldn't have any issues.


OP, Wholesale payments (the division this candidate interviewed for) is NOT investment banking. If you want ACTUAL IBD, ABB would be a stretch but it would depend more on your university, course, and performance there than your pre-university grades. The problem is ABB won't get you into the best universities for the most respected courses unless you qualify for contextual offers. Most (if not everyone) in IBD at my bank have AAA+.

For EY, it won't matter. Big 4 (or EY at least) take candidates with 2:2s; they're not as strict.

My recommendation would be an LSE/Ox/Cam Mfin (masters) later unless you're somehow able to get into a target for a respectable course with those grades.

Source: Someone with an actual IBD offer.
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 6
Original post by Bk4753
OP, Wholesale payments (the division this candidate interviewed for) is NOT investment banking. If you want ACTUAL IBD, ABB would be a stretch but it would depend more on your university, course, and performance there than your pre-university grades. The problem is ABB won't get you into the best universities for the most respected courses unless you qualify for contextual offers. Most (if not everyone) in IBD at my bank have AAA+.
For EY, it won't matter. Big 4 (or EY at least) take candidates with 2:2s; they're not as strict.
My recommendation would be an LSE/Ox/Cam Mfin (masters) later unless you're somehow able to get into a target for a respectable course with those grades.
Source: Someone with an actual IBD offer.

Hi. I know this was a while ago but I got AAB and will be doing a foundation year for engineering at a target uni. What are my chances at working in a front office? Ty
Reply 7
Original post by amanda23
Hi. I know this was a while ago but I got AAB and will be doing a foundation year for engineering at a target uni. What are my chances at working in a front office? Ty

If it’s a target there’s a chance. Uni matters more. Focus on making yourself an attractive candidate and become a hardo if you have to.

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