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Investment Banking: Working in Hong Kong
Due to its position as a natural gateway to a fast-growing China, Hong Kong has now become one of the most important financial center in the world, and is attracting a number of high-flying financiers. For investment bankers, the combination of the low tax environment, a different lifestyle to that of London or New York, and most importantly the possibility to take part in China's considerable economic rise are key factors that drove many to Hong Kong based investment banks.
Hong Kong as a financial centre - a brief history
Investment Banking: working in London vs. New York
London and New York have long been and still remain the financial capital cities of the world. For many Europeans and others outside the US, New York always sounds like an attractive destination to learn Investment Banking from the best and have a "US experience" on your CV. For Americans and many from Asia Pacific too, London is also attractive given the more comfortable lifestyle it offers, and opportunities to work on deals across multiple European countries. Based on our experience of working in the US and in Europe, here are our thoughts on Investment Banking in New York vs. Investment Banking in London.
London vs. New York as financial centres - a brief history
Do Investment Bankers have social lives?
Investment banking is often perceived as being synonym with long working hours, weekend work, and very little sleep. A natural questions therefore often follows: do bankers have a social life?
Based on our experience, we would say that of course they do. London-based investment bankers tend to have much better hours than bankers in hong Kong and New York, more holidays, and in general, Europeans are much more concerned about junior bankers' personal lives. However, do not expect to be home by 7pm everyday, and do not plan to enrol in Saturday yoga lessons. This is a view of what you life as a junior investment banker will be like:
Your social circle will quickly start to revolve around other junior bankers
Is Investment Banking tougher for woman?
Ask Ivy has asked woman investment bankers to share their thoughts and experience of their working life in the City as a femal investment banker. The summary is below.
This is quite a difficult topic, but overall, from a woman perspective, I would say that while investment banking is generally a tougher job to handle for most woman, this is changing quite rapidly and there is an increasing number of woman in senior positions in the City.
Yes, it is tougher for woman from a simple from physical perspective, in general
I work 16 hours per day, how do I stay fit and healthy?
Life as an investment banker will be a dramatic change from your student days and your usual lifestyle. No more free time to play sports with your friends, eat healthy home-made food and get 8 hours of sleep.
