Paul joined JPMorgan as an analyst in 2006 having completed a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in finance and accounting, at the University of New South Wales. He held an accounting co-operative scholarship during his studies, which provided him with three half-year placements at Promina, Zurich and Ernst & Young.
How did someone with an accounting scholarship end up working for a bank?
In 2004, my university team won an Investment Banking competition sponsored by JPMorgan. The process of putting together a presentation on an M&A opportunity to present to a panel of senior JPMorgan bankers was an eye opening experience that convinced me that I would like to work in that side of finance.
JPMorgan offered me a job in February 2006 as an analyst in the investment bank division, specifically the debt capital markets group. Other graduate analysts went into the equity capital markets or various industry groups.
What does your job entail?
We provide debt-capital based solutions. We advise and facilitate clients in the process of raising funds in the international debt markets, as well as providing finance for specific situations, such as bridging loans when they want to buy something but are awaiting funds from the sale of another asset. We also offer advice on companies’ capital structures and refinancings. I am involved in both marketing (preparing pitches) and execution. We put together the core information needed such as information memorandums, roadshow presentations, liaise with clients and perform relative value analysis. As you progress to the associate and vice-president level you increasingly focus on creating solutions and strategies that are best applicable to the client. I am about to do a rotation into the real estate industry group, which provides advice to clients (both listed and unlisted) across the full products spectrum (debt, equity and M&A).
What does the future hold?
I’m very happy where I am and want to be here for the foreseeable future. I have got a lot to learn yet about the products JPMorgan offers and the industries we cover. A full service international investment bank such as JPMorgan provides an unlimited amount of opportunities for its employees to constantly learn and challenge themselves.
Paul’s tips:
- Get as much work experience as you can to see what area is best for you.
- You’ve got to be passionate about wanting to be in the industry. You need to be interested in finance, well-informed about what’s going on and really focused on the industry.
- You need to have a strong work ethic and show that you have been successful at university or other relevant areas. Good grades help, but at the end of the day it’s all about servicing the client, which means you need to be personable, flexible, manage expectations and above all, you need to be able to deliver.
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