Why investment banking?
Answer
Strong answers tie together three elements: (1) Interest in finance/business — exposure to corporate strategy, valuation, capital markets; (2) Skills you want to build — financial modeling, accounting, communication, working under pressure; (3) Career trajectory — IB opens doors to PE, hedge funds, corporate development, or operating roles. Avoid generic answers about 'liking finance' or 'high pay.' Anchor it in specific experiences: a finance class you loved, a deal you found compelling, an internship that pulled you in.
Why interviewers ask this
This is the most predictable IB interview question and arguably the most important. Your answer should sound conversational, not rehearsed. The trap is being too generic. Tell a 60-90 second story: a specific moment when you realized banking interested you (a class, a project, an internship, a deal you read about), the skills you want to develop, and where you see yourself in 5-10 years.