Making the most of investment banking industry distance learning is important for finance majors who hold a bachelor's degree or finance professionals with a graduate degree that want extra certifications and education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 2/3 of investment professionals hold a college degree, making it one of the highest educated professional fields in the United States. Investment banking online courses help busy professionals save time by offering continuing education you can complete at home.

Investment banking encompasses a large variety of finance operations. The majority of investment bankers spend time buying and selling stocks or helping banks and other companies acquire funds. This detail means that there are many options when looking for investment banking training online. Professionals can work toward a graduate degree or take an online financial planning course. When deciding what sort of investment banking courses you need, consider the following:

1. What direction do you want your financial career to go?

2. How much time and money do you have to invest in online investment banking training?

3. What certifications will boost your current education and experience the most?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for investment banking online training in a specific niche

Depending on your job experience, you may want investment banking distance learning that focuses on a particular area rather than a broad education. Certain areas include portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions and stock management.

I recommend: The American Bankers Association offers a six-week course that focuses on managing the investment portfolios of financial institutions, specifically banks. OnlineLearning.net offers a mergers and acquisitions accounting and tax course to help investment bankers understand the accounting and tax principles of buying and selling.

Take investment banking courses online that award you certifications

Certain investment banking courses online award highly acclaimed designations or certifications upon completion. By completing highly acclaimed courses, you prove that you have the ability to study and succeed in rigorous investment banking education. This shows employers you can succeed in the highly competitive and stressful environment of investment banking.

I recommend: The CFA Institute offers the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement programs. These programs are highly acclaimed designations in the field of investment banking and financial services. The New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers a nine-month program that leads to financial planner certification.

Research information about online investment banking courses

The best part of distance learning is that you can research distance learning courses in investment banking and find the perfect fit for your needs. Some basics to get out of the way when researching your options is to find out the areas of investment banking that are lucrative and also finding a site that can narrow down courses based on location or type of class desired.

I recommend: Newsweek Showcase offers a distance learning search engine based on location or type of course desired. The Fuqua School of Business, a division of Duke University, offers a finance club that discusses all sorts of investment banking information, including financial careers and investment banking divisions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to check out any local colleges for distance learning programs. Some universities offer an online investment banking class in conjunction with a larger university or even a banking program.

Investment banking training should be an ongoing activity for employees in your investment department. Both experienced MBAs and rookie analysts will benefit from investment banking courses. You increase value to the customer when your investment banking team is well-prepared to develop and implement financial plans.

You'll find investment banking courses online and offline. Online courses can serve as continuing education refresher courses. The more intensive, in-class investment banking training programs are ideal for young employees who show promise as investment bankers. Look for programs offering curricula that fit your company and client needs:

1. Opt for training that covers private equity, hedge funds or equity research.

2. Sign up for investment banking courses in asset management or corporate development.

3. Help employees earn their Certified Financial Planner designation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize online investment banking courses to keep your team sharp

Investment banking distance learning allows your employees to participate in continuing education courses right from your office. You won't have any travel expenses and the cost for investment banking online courses is generally lower than in-class programs.

I recommend: The Globecon Group provides customized investment banking industry distance learning solutions for your business. TrainUp.com offers basic investment banking online courses. Wall Street Corporate Finance Academy offers webinars that include personal interaction with the instructor.

Groom your brightest young employees with an investment banking course

Send those rookie analysts and recent college grads back to school to become your investment bankers of the future. Although the most intense programs are in-class, you can find some good online investment banking training programs and a few distance learning courses in investment banking.

I recommend: Wall Street Prep offers a self-study program for investment banking. If you're located in New York City, The Institute for Finance Education and Career Advancement offers an in-class program in Manhattan. The Investment Banking Institute offers in-class, intensive programs in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Expand your employees' skills with an online financial planning course

You can offer your clients more than investment banking advice by having Certified Financial Planners on staff. CFPs can help your clients with employee benefits planning, estate, gift and transfer tax planning, and asset protection.

I recommend: Kaplan Continuing Education offers investment banking distance learning programs, including coursework to prepare students to take and pass the CFP exam. The College for Financial Planning offers online and self-study programs to prepare students for the CFP exam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most investment banking training is done through live seminars and workshops. Carefully check out any companies offering investment banking industry distance learning. Ask for references and testimonials before paying for any classes.
• •  Don't overlook local colleges and universities for investment banking training. You'll find online, in-class and distance options available at local institutions.

As someone in the financial industry, you need to get the latest on investment banking industry distance learning news and trends. Although you work at an investment banking firm, you’re not an investment banker. However, your manager wants you to stay on top of what’s happening in the market.

Attending conferences and seminars can help to keep your mind sharp. After all, you'll be talking with other professionals and listening to keynote speakers. To learn about investment banking industry distance learning news and trends, do the following:

1. Acquire the latest in trends in investment banking training by visiting blogs.

2. Get the latest on trends in investment banking training via seminars.

3. Research articles or reports to get the most current news on investment banking distance learning.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay on top of the investment banking industry through investment banking courses and blogs

Blogs can give you the most up-to-date information on the investment industry. For example, you can learn about executives leaving investment banking firms to start their own businesses. Investment banking blogs also provide the latest news on mergers and acquisitions. If you're looking into taking some online investment banking courses, consider visiting blogs. They'll have advertisements on companies that provide investment banking industry distance learning.

I recommend: New York Times has a blog that’s devoted to investment banking. You can get the latest news, such as mergers and acquisitions, IPOs (initial public offerings), or new governmental regulations. BankersBall also provides news and trends on investment banking. You can click on links to access companies that offer investment banking online courses.

Learn about trends on investment banking online training by attending seminars

Seminars can be just as educational as investment banking courses online. For example, you can learn from experts how the latest economic trends can impact investment banking. The speaker might discuss how and why high taxes or regulation can hinder investment banking firms from investing in companies. Get the latest in news and trends at these seminars.

I recommend: TrainUp offers investment banking online courses and seminars. One of the topics this provider offers is the Series 3 Exam, which focuses on futures and options. You will learn about hedging, speculating, and trading theories. Wall Street Prep also offers seminars. Learn about financial modeling for the oil and gas industry.

Get the latest news on distance learning courses in investment banking through articles or reports

It's crucial to keep current on the latest regulations or accounting rules in the investment banking industry. Reading articles or reports is one of the best ways to keep your mind fresh and sharp. They'll provide in-depth information on how new laws can affect your firm and what you should do to comply with them. They'll also tell you about schools, such as the Minnesota School of Business, that provide distance learning through online courses in investment banking and other areas that lead to bachelor's and master's degrees.

I recommend: Questia provides reports, books and articles on investment banking. Some topics you can read about include insider trader or the impact of GAAP (General Accepted Accounting Principles) on financial analysis. Market Research also provides reports on investment banking. One report you can access includes learning about trends, forecasts, and statistics in the investment banking industry.