...a BMO Capital Markets Analyst
...an Investment Banking Analyst
...a Corporate Banking Analyst
...a Debt Capital Markets Analyst
...an Equity Capital Markets Analyst
...an M&A Analyst
...an M&A Associate
...an Investment Banking Associate
...a Corporate Banking Associate
...a Shadow Program Participant

A Day in the Life of a BMO Capital Markets Analyst

“I love the variability of the work; no two days have been the same since I started. I have worked on a variety of pitches, and in different sectors with different people. It’s great that these elements are aligned this way because you learn a lot more! I also really enjoy working with the people.

I know that I can walk into my Managing Director’s office and get advice about my career. They will call me into meetings even if it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with my immediate work, but presents an opportunity for me to learn. I am really grateful for the confidence my team has in me, too. There have been several instances where I have had the opportunity to run with a project and be in charge of the outcome, from start to finish. I feel like I have really been able to challenge myself and grow professionally.”
– Paresh Bhanderi

Paresh’s day:

A Day in the Life of an Investment Banking Analyst
“At BMO Capital Markets, analysts work as generalists, gaining wide exposure to a number of industry sectors, as well as a variety of financial products such as public and private debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions and financial advisory. Today I spent my morning finalizing a board presentation for a client in the consumer sector and developing another presentation for the Healthcare group. After lunch, I worked with my transaction team to refine the financial model and brainstorm the course of action we think our client should pursue. Work hours here fluctuate depending on the projects we are working on and their level of intensity. A live deal in a critical stage can require long work hours. You’ve got to make the most of your time – and that includes managing things so you have time for yourself and keep your personal life and work life in balance. For me, a positive aspect of working in such a dynamic and intense work environment is that I tend to make the most of the time that I have outside of work.”
– Javier Davila

A Day in the Life of a Corporate Banking Analyst
“My team focuses on the Commercial and Industrial sector. Today, I spent the morning collecting and analyzing the internal and public information available so I can develop an in-depth understanding of a new client. I also worked with our Business Research Group for additional support in the form of analyst reports, company news and industry information. With this information, I can develop a list of questions to ask the client during our next scheduled call. This dialogue will help me as I begin work on underwriting the transaction, develop the financial models, and produce the reports I need to create a complete recommendation.”
– Jaclyn Zurcher

A Day in the Life of a Debt Capital Markets Analyst
“No day is ’typical’ for me. I work on many projects at once and across multiple deal teams. My role is split between assisting our senior professionals in the origination of new business and executing new business once it’s in the door. On the origination side, I spend a significant portion of my time creating models and performing financial analysis in order to identify optimal capital structures. My work is often very time-sensitive. For example, when a company is making an acquisition, our group needs to assess capital market conditions quickly in order to determine the appropriate financing vehicle to recommend to the client. After a client selects our group to arrange its financing, I work with a team that drafts the offering materials that we send out to potential investors. I assist in performing company and industry research and I write concise descriptions of each firm so potential investors can analyze the investment opportunity. Overall, I like the variety and fast-paced nature of my job. I am gaining excellent transaction experience across BMO Capital Markets’ industry sectors.”
– Eric Nortman

A Day in the Life of an Equity Capital Markets Analyst
“My team advises clients on equity and equity-linked financing solutions, such as optimizing the capital structure, raising capital to pay for an acquisition, when to go public, and how best to deal with other financing issues they may face. Early this morning, I attended a series of meetings to discuss when and if a client should take the company public. Later, I met with my team to discuss the research we did on various capital-raising solutions for another client. I also worked with a different set of bankers involved in a capital structure analysis my team has been working on. The situation is very fluid here, and you constantly have to update everyone on the progress of various projects. Because timelines extend over multiple days, I can step back and really analyze a situation in order to provide the best advice possible to my clients.”
– Andrew Frank

A Day in the Life of an M&A Analyst
“My day began with a conference call to update the CEO and COO of a client on the progress of a sell-side transaction we’re executing. We’ve begun writing the confidential information memorandum, and I’ve been asked to take the first cut at the industry section. After lunch I spoke with the CFO of a different company about the income statement projection model I sent him last week. We talked through some of my assumptions and projections, and he asked me to gather the entire deal team for a conference call tomorrow. Interacting with senior-level management is my favorite part of my job, and it’s a regular occurrence at BMO Capital Markets because of the size of the mid-cap/mid-market companies that we serve.”
– Allison Bober

A Day in the Life of an M&A Associate
“I enjoy the fact that the job is extremely challenging and fast paced. Problems arise, are solved and new complexities test previous answers. The opportunities to work side-by-side with senior management for our various clients, is both rewarding and educational. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the job is the interaction with my colleagues at BMO Capital Markets.”
– Robert Levine

A Day in the Life of an Investment Banking Associate
“As a member of the Business Services sector, I work closely with mid-cap business services companies on a wide range of transactions, including public and private debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, and financial advisory assignments. In a given week, I might prepare a valuation presentation for the board of directors of a client, create a list of potential acquisition candidates for another client, and deliver a business development presentation. A key differentiator at BMO Capital Markets is the opportunity to speak directly with the decision makers at your clients. Mid-sized companies often have much more compact management teams, meaning you will often have direct contact with the CEO and CFO. Even as a junior team member, you interact with the senior management team members of your clients and have the opportunity to start building your network.”
– Jonathan Dubroff

A Day in the Life of a Corporate Banking Associate
“Today is my first day back in the office after visiting a prospective client to meet their management team and tour their facilities. First, I’ll do a quick scan of market activity within my industry, then I’ll collect and analyze all the due diligence materials I need to develop my proposal for this prospect. This afternoon, I have a meeting with an existing client, where we’ll review their current bank facilities to ensure they are appropriate, given the company’s current operating performance and outlook. Because we’ve identified a cross-sell opportunity, I’ll bring along a product specialist to pitch this product. Every day brings a new set of challenges and learning opportunities, and I enjoy maintaining my learning curve.”
– Pauline Christopher

A Day in the Life of a Shadow Program Participant
“I found the Shadow Program to be a great way to get a feel for BMO and the banking industry. It’s one thing to hear a person talk about their career during a presentation to a large group of students, but another to get to see that person in their work environment. It really allows you to have an interactive learning experience, while walking away with a genuine feel for the people and culture of the bank. The other participants that went through the Program together, and I, found two aspects the most appealing of BMO—the people and the willingness of them to help you learn. After a year of working at the bank, it’s nice to see that those two aspects still hold true.”
– George Kappas