The most (and least) stressful jobs in banking and finance - Training You (2024)

If you work in an investment banking division (IBD), or pretty much any other sector of financial services, you are likely spend a healthy part of your day dealing with career-related stress. The working hours, the responsibilities, the external pressures to deliver consistent compelling results – they all add up. But who has it worse ? What are the most and least stressful jobs in banking and finance ? We decided to conduct an informal survey to find out. We then asked a host of recruiters and actual employees in each field to rank them based on the stress levels employees tend to face, leaving it up to each voter to qualify “work stress” as they see it. Below are the composite results, along with some notes from those who chose to go on the record and explain their thought processes. Do you agree?

Most stressful job in finance : Investment Banker (M&A or capital markets professional)

Investment Banker is one of the most stressful jobs in finance. Jobs in the investment banking division (IBD) were the runaway choice for the most stressful job on Wall Street and in all of financial services, finishing in the top three of every ballot. The main reason is that investment bankers are confronted with the two main triggers for career stress: the difficulty of the work coupled with the sheer amount of it, particularly for analysts and associates and despite banks’ attempts to mitigate the strain.

“The life of a junior banker is one of the last forms of legalized slavery,” said Roy Cohen, a career coach and author of The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide. “It is a grueling survival of the fittest existence defined by all-nighters, no time to eat well or to exercise, and compensation that has remained flat for a number of years.”

The Epicurean Dealmaker, the anonymous M&A banker behind the eponymous blog and Twitter account says M&A careers remain stressful throughout, but that the nature of the stress changes. “Juniors are crushed by work out of their control. Seniors are whipsawed by clients’ unreasonable demands,” he says. “Juniors have no responsibility for revenues, though, whereas MDs [managing directors] do. That is huge, constant pressure. MDs have (lots) more money and somewhat more life control, but much high burnout rate and obligations. Juniors rarely fired; MDs are fired all the time.”

And if you decide not to become an MD to escape this pressure? “If you don’t get promoted to MD eventually, you’re fired,” says TED. “You can’t stay a hardworking irresponsible junior forever.”

Second most stressful job in finance : Trader

Trader is one of the most stressful jobs in finance. Traders may not work quite the crazy hours of investment bankers, but they have a sharper, more acute level of stress. “Trader stress is in real time and can happen instantaneously,” said Sal Khan, managing director at New York City recruitment firm Dynamics Associates.

Speaking to us last week, trading coach Steven Goldstein described the insidious nature of stress in trading jobs: “When you work in trading, there’s so much that’s outside your control and that can be hard to deal with. You’re sitting there every day and sometimes the markets are in your favour and sometimes they aren’t. People start to question whether they really want that.”

Third most stressful job in finance : Risk management & Compliance

If you think a risk or compliance role will be a less stressful option, you might be right – but only just. Sitting in a non-revenue generating seats, risk and compliance staffers are often viewed as the enemy by colleagues who are desperate to get a transaction approved, said Cohen. Market risk and credit risk management roles are particularly stressful, said Khan.

It’s not just the stress. It can also be the feeling of disempowerment. “You’re there to escalate issues, but when you do, nothing is done about them. Compliance is a soulless job. You end up keeping your head down, collecting your money and destroying your principles.” one compliance professional told us.

Fourth most stressful job in finance : Wealth manager / Private banker

Wealth managers and Private Bankers are stressful jobs in finance. Finishing near the top on some surveys and further down on others, wealth managers and financial advisors deal with one particular vehicle for stress: they eat only what they kill. Wealth managers get fired nearly as often as they get hired. One WM who started five years ago said he is the only remaining member of his 30-person recruiting class still in the business.

It’s a sales job, and your target is often friends and family. You start with a barely livable wage and you need to sell to remain employed. But, at its core, wealth management is a relationship business.

“People seem to think that if you’re a private banker you sit on a pile of money and that keeps the money coming in,” says the anonymous private banker behind the Banker’s Umbrella blog and Twitter account. “They’re 100% wrong. -You have to build a book, once you can get together a book in excess of €100m, you can rest easier.”

And if you don’t have a book of assets worth €100m? “It’s a job where you try to protect the assets you have from other preying bankers and run around preying on the assets of other bankers.” says Bankers Umbrella. When this is the case, he says private banking can be a harsh career choice: “By comparison, the so-called cut throat world of investment banking is like sitting on an extra fluffy towel on a warm beach while toasting marsh mellows and singing Kumbaya.”

By the way, if you are interested in this profession, it is possible for you to follow a course by a wealth manager that will undoubtedly allow you to pass your interviews without difficulty!

Fifth most stressful job in finance : Institutional sales

Any role that focuses on sales causes stress. Couple this with the fact that the job security and the ceiling on salary aren’t what they used to be, and institutional sales can be a grind. “As technology automates much of the function, there is simply less need for a human interface,” said Cohen.

The pressure on salespeople has the potential to increase as banks shift to ‘low touch’ business models. Here, all but the most important clients are encouraged to trade using electronic systems that eliminate the need for human beings. However, there will still be a need for talented salespeople to interact with the most demanding and important clients.

Sixth most stressful job in finance : Management consulting

Is management consulting really a stressful career? Yes, if you’re working somewhere like . or BCG and you don’t like travel (. has a reputation for staffing people closer to their home office). – Management consultants typically travel a lot.

When Harvard Business School professors researched working conditions at leading strategy consulting firms in 2013, they found people who claimed to work 15 hour days and to sleep less than six hours a night. “There’s a correlation between success and the willingness to just put everything else aside and do a ton of work,” said one.

Like banks, consulting firms have implemented programs to mitigate work stress. One junior consultant who’s worked in banking told us consulting jobs are better: the hours are shorter and the work is more varied and creative.

Seventh most stressful job in finance : Private Equity

Private Equity jobs are some of the most desirable in finance. They’re also some of the most difficult to get into. Private Equity funds are investors and they’re in it for the long term. This can help relieve the pressure on a day-to-day basis – except when a new investment is being made, at which point working in PE can be pretty similar to working in IBD…

By the way, if you are interested in this profession, it is possible for you to follow a complete course by an ex-banker of Lazard that will undoubtedly allow you to pass your interviews in Private Equity without difficulty!

Eighth most stressful job in finance : Equity Research

Equity Research is often considered as one of the most stressful jobs in finance. Why ? Time was, equity researchers were the academics of the finance world. They got to study a stock or sector in detail and to write their considered opinion about that sector in their own good time.

These days, they’re under a lot more pressure. In the UK and Europe, ‘unbundling’ means researchers’ future output will have to be paid for separately by clients – rather than wound into the fee for executing trades. At the same time, researchers have been given a more marketing-oriented role, selling the banks’ whole platform and product to investors. Researchers are being compelled to work harder than ever before, said Brad Hintz, the veteran US banking analyst. Despite all their efforts, Hintz says researchers are often unable to point to a solid revenue stream (something unbundling may help with): “Research management is left with a begging bowl, pointing out all the insightful pieces its people have written.”

Ninth most stressful job in finance : Fund Manager

In theory, fund management isn’t that much of a stressful career. Long only managers invest for the long term and have time to ponder their decisions.

In reality, it’s not that easy.

@CT_Osprey, an NYC-based long only manager, says working on the buy-side is fine, as long as you’re right. “If you’re right in your investments, the buy-side is an easier place to work.” If you’re wrong in your investments, he says the buy-side is just as stressful as the sell-side.

Even so, this is better than working in an investment bank: “You can be right all day long on the sell side, you still have to hustle your a** off,” Osprey points out.

Tenth most stressful job in finance : Technology

Like risk and compliance, tech pros get yelled at – a lot. “They take plenty of blame, even when things are out of their hands, and they constantly have to re-educate themselves and take courses.” said Lisa Mogilner, a recruiter at Dynamics Associates.

Eleventh most stressful job in finance : Accounting

Finishing last on every ballot, accounting is “virtually stress-free as long as you like routine and are willing to work long hours on a seasonal basis.” said Cohen.

However, Tom Stoddart, director at London-based recruiters Eximius Finance, said that accountancy roles in banks have become more pressured in recent years. “As regulators focus more heavily on capital requirements, the role of the accountant has become more important.”

Accounting jobs in product control can be stressful simply because they require interaction with traders on a daily basis, says Stoddart. Similarly, management and regulatory reporting roles can be stressful as deadlines come near. The least stressful accounting jobs in banks are those which involve forecasting and budgeting, suggests Stoddart: “These are still business critical, but they’re also more qualitative and not subject to the pressure of an external review.”

If you are interested in this profession, it is possible for you to follow a complete course by an ex-banker of Lazard that will undoubtedly allow you to pass your interviews in accounting without difficulty!

Do you want to join a bank in one of these professions ?

These jobs in finance are stressful. But if being in these professions requires a lot of investment of time and pressure, it is also necessary to have an optimal preparation to succeed. To get your first experience, develop your knowledge with a complete training by former bankers of Lazard : MOOCs M&A but also more widely MOOCs Corporate Finance. You will find and various courses :

  • Private Equity
  • Accounting
  • Wealth management
  • And many others !

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The most (and least) stressful jobs in banking and finance - Training You (2024)

FAQs

What are the most stressful jobs in banking? ›

Wealth managers and Private Bankers are stressful jobs in finance. Finishing near the top on some surveys and further down on others, wealth managers and financial advisors deal with one particular vehicle for stress: they eat only what they kill. Wealth managers get fired nearly as often as they get hired.

What is the least stressful job in finance? ›

Low-Stress Jobs in Finance
  • Financial Consultant.
  • Financial Analyst.
  • Accounting.
  • Portfolio Manager.
  • Personal Financial Advisor.
  • Internal Auditor.
  • Financial Planning & Analysis Manager.
  • Insurance Advisor (Risk Manager)
Dec 10, 2022

How stressful is a career in finance? ›

Finance is not always a stressful career, but for the highest-earning jobs it can be. Long hours and an “always on call” mentality can be extremely stressful for finance professionals, especially those dealing with global markets.

What sort of training and education do you need to work in finance? ›

For many entry-level positions in the finance world, a bachelor's degree in finance (or a similar business degree) is required to even be considered. A bachelor's degree will prepare you with the basic foundation you will need in order to succeed in a finance career.

What is the best job in banking? ›

For those seeking a career in banking, here are some of the top high paying and popular bank jobs in India.
  • Investment Banker. Investment banking is one of the most lucrative careers in the banking sector. ...
  • Wealth Manager. ...
  • Risk Manager. ...
  • Credit Analyst. ...
  • Branch Manager. ...
  • Financial Analyst. ...
  • Relationship Manager. ...
  • Treasury Manager.
Feb 25, 2023

What is the lowest job in a bank? ›

Bank Clerk is the lowest post in the bank.

What job is least stressful? ›

Some low-stress jobs come with good to excellent annual salaries.
  1. 14 Low-Stress Jobs. In its annual report, CareerCast considered 11 stress factors when ranking the jobs. ...
  2. Data Scientist. ...
  3. Dietitian. ...
  4. Medical Records Technician. ...
  5. Massage Therapist. ...
  6. Appliance Repairer. ...
  7. Librarian. ...
  8. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

What is the hardest bank to get into? ›

Which is the hardest investment bank to get into? Goldman Sachs is notoriously difficult to get into. One statistics recently rolled out was that it received 100,000 applications for just 2,300 global internship positions. This means that it received 24 applications for every job it posted.

Is finance a happy career? ›

Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.

How stressful is banking? ›

Bank Tellers often face a fast-paced environment, managing financial transactions with precision while providing excellent customer service. Stress can arise from handling large sums of money, adhering to strict security protocols, and dealing with diverse customer needs.

What is the best paid finance job? ›

What are the top 5 highest paying jobs? The top 5 highest paying jobs in finance are investment banking, hedge fund management, CFO roles, private equity, and actuarial positions. These careers typically offer substantial salaries and the potential for significant bonuses.

Which field is best in finance? ›

This blog lists the 15 highest-paying jobs in finance to help aspiring professionals understand industry trends better.
  1. Chief Financial Officer. ...
  2. Investment Banker. ...
  3. Budget Analyst. ...
  4. Budget Director. ...
  5. Tax Director. ...
  6. Tax Director. ...
  7. Hedge Fund Manager. ...
  8. Investment Portfolio Manager.

How to break into the finance industry with no experience? ›

How to Break Into Finance with No Experience
  1. Overview.
  2. Offer to Work (for Free) at a Search Fund.
  3. Start a Blog about Investing.
  4. Write Articles on Seeking Alpha and Value Investors Club.
  5. Start a Solo Small Business.
  6. Invest Your Own Money.
  7. Take Courses or get Certificates.
  8. Network Aggressively and Systematically.

What degree is best for finance? ›

An MFin or MS in finance are strong options for students who prefer finance-specific courses or careers based on advanced mathematic principles. An MBA in finance provides students with more coursework on business and management principles for flexible careers within the business world.

What is the highest paying job with a finance degree? ›

9 highest paying finance jobs
  • Chief compliance officer. The top-paying finance job on our list is Chief compliance officer. ...
  • Chief financial officer. ...
  • Private equity associate. ...
  • Hedge fund manager. ...
  • Insurance advisor. ...
  • Financial advisor. ...
  • Compliance analyst. ...
  • Information technology auditor.

What is the most thankless job in banking? ›

The chief risk officer plays one of the most important and least appreciated roles in American business. The people in these positions succeed if their companies avert failure. It's not particularly glamorous. It is mostly anonymous, often taken for granted and won't make anyone famous if they do it well.

How stressful is it to be a banker? ›

High Workload and Pressure: The demand for efficiency and performance in banking often leads to heavy workloads and tight deadlines. Employees may find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks, leading to stress and burnout.

What is the hardest bank to get a job from? ›

Which is the hardest investment bank to get into? Goldman Sachs is notoriously difficult to get into. One statistics recently rolled out was that it received 100,000 applications for just 2,300 global internship positions. This means that it received 24 applications for every job it posted.

What position in banking makes the most money? ›

The highest paying jobs in retail banking usually belong to loan officers and major corporate executives, such as the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief risk officer (CRO).

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