As a major financial center in the southern United States, Nashville offers many investment banking job opportunities for finance professionals. Major banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo and SunTrust have presence in Nashville. There are also boutique investment banks and private equity firms hiring regularly in the city. For fresh graduates and young professionals interested in advancing their careers in investment banking, Nashville provides a vibrant business community and lower cost of living. This article will share insights on how to find investment banking jobs in Nashville area as well as tips for getting hired.
Look for openings at major banks’ Nashville offices
Many large national and global banks have regional hubs or offices in Nashville, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, SunTrust, Regions Bank, Fifth Third Bank, PNC, etc. These banks frequently post investment banking analyst and associate positions in their Nashville locations to support mergers & acquisitions, debt and equity underwriting, financial advisory and other investment banking activities in the region. directly search for investment banking jobs on these banks’ career portals or set up job alerts. You can also network with their Nashville bankers on LinkedIn to inquire about current openings.
Apply to boutique investment banks and advisory firms
In addition to big banks, there are quite a few specialized boutique investment banks and financial advisory firms in Nashville that provide M&A, capital raising and corporate finance advisory services to middle-market and small-cap clients. Examples include Pinnacle Financial Partners, Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, LLC, Capstone Partners, etc. These firms are good places to start an investment banking career as you will get hands-on deal experience in a smaller team environment. Check their websites and network with their employees to learn about job vacancies.
Look for openings at private equity firms’ Nashville offices
Major private equity firms like KKR, TPG, Vista Equity Partners, Silver Oak Services Partners, Norwest Equity Partners and many more have local offices in Nashville. These PE firms hire frequently for investment analyst roles to research companies and execute deals across various industries. Getting into a private equity investment analyst job out of undergrad is challenging but provides valuable financial modeling and valuation experience. Reach out to employees on LinkedIn and ask about openings.
Leverage alumni and industry connections
Networking is key for breaking into investment banking in any city. Leverage your university alumni network and connect with seniors or alumni from your school who work in finance jobs in Nashville. Join finance professional associations like ACG Nashville and participate in events to expand your connections. Reach out directly to bankers on LinkedIn in a thoughtful personalized message expressing your interest in opportunities.
Consider financial analyst roles as a stepping stone
For recent graduates with little full-time experience, taking on a financial analyst role can help strengthen your resume and develop technical skills before transitioning to investment banking. Look for corporate finance or FP&A roles at companies and build modeling expertise. Having accounting knowledge and CFA certification can also help qualify you for investment banking openings later.
Nashville offers excellent investment banking career opportunities with major banks, boutique firms and private equity shops hiring regularly. Leverage networking, alumni connections and consider stepping stone roles to eventually break into investment banking jobs in the Nashville area.