The banking and finance industry is completely mathematically based. So it becomes a must for those pursuing a career in banking and finance to be good at mathematics and to have a passion for mathematics and calculations. The banking and finance industry speculates on the future of economic and monetary issues thus making it compulsory for someone pursuing a career in this field to have adequate knowledge in banking and finance.
To pursue a career in banking and finance you must be a graduate preferably with mathematics, economics, and statistics as your main subject. Apart from this, a bachelors or a master's degree in commerce accompanied by a degree in finance and business management would be helpful. A minimum of 75% marks and more are required in the mathematics and science fields to gain entry into a higher level of education in banking and finance. To enter a job in the field of banking and finance one might have to appear for a few examinations at the entry level. Facing the recruiting team might seem a little tough though not impossible if you prepare yourself well.
Apart from this, a pleasing personality, good communication skills, and patience are a must. A chartered accountancy and MBA degree could do wonders. One also needs to watch a lot of finance related programs on television and read up the finance sections of the newspaper on a daily basis if one wants to excel in this field. Staying updated with the market trends is very important when you are pursuing a career in the banking and finance industry. Some of the most prevalent sectors in the banking and finance industry that you could opt for include Foreign Exchange, Corporate lending, Home Loans, Auto Loans, Retail Lending, Mergers & Acquisitions, treasury, Human Resources, Insurance, and investments in the share market.
A banking and finance professional has the option to opt for a job in a bank or financial institution or can work in accountancy and tax firms too. Training in banking and finance is a must before you enter completely into the industry to gain adequate knowledge. Therefore for students wishing to pursue a career in banking and finance, a summer traineeship at a leading bank or financial institution is advisable. You can also enter the insurance sectors.
The banking sector could be retail banking, industrial banking, or the private banking sector. A banker's job is to take care of the money put in by investors and common people. Banks take in money, pay an interest on the same and provide loans to individuals for business or personal use. It demands accurate calculations, for which a proficiency in mathematics becomes a must. Apart from that, a banking or finance professional must be patient and customer friendly as he or she will need to deal and co-operate with customers on a daily basis. Also, with the advancement of computer technology, in the field of banking and finance a professional must be technologically advanced.
The banking and finance sector is on a rapid growing spree, so a number of job opportunities are available in these sectors on a daily basis as banks expand their branches and institutions. With the expansion of international trade, a banking and finance professional also needs to be proficient in marketing. Growth prospects are tremendous in the banking and finance industry. You can climb the ladder of success from a clerk to an officer to a manager. One can earn anything from $1,000 - $50,000 depending on the position one holds. Other positions available in this sector are typist, secretary, receptionist, and safe deposit attendants. In most cases one has to appear for banking examinations to move higher up.
Once you have trained yourself to be a banker, look out for all the job sites that post job listings in this sector and send in your application. If you wish to work in a government owned bank, make sure that you get all the information about the examinations held at entry level before you apply for the same. As examinations are a must for those entering government banks. You can also apply on the individual banks career sections online on their respective job sites.
The banking and finance sector is booming and flourishing. All one needs to have is an analytical mind and a passion and accuracy in mathematics to succeed in this field.
