Top Financial institutions offer an exciting range of opportunities, strong earning potential, and the chance to develop valuable skills that are in high demand across industries. There are a range of financial institutions to consider. Whether you prefer banking, investment management, or the rapidly growing field of financial technology, the financial sector provides a solid foundation for long-term career growth and success. Top financial institutions for entry-level employees can be a strategic starting point that opens doors to diverse roles and future leadership opportunities.
In this post, we’ll dive into some of the top financial institutions for entry-level employees, breaking down the different types of organizations in the financial world and the unique opportunities they offer. From large global banks to innovative FinTech companies, we’ll explore the key benefits and challenges of starting your career at each type of institution. You’ll also find helpful tips for applying, real-life examples of successful leaders who began their careers at these companies, and valuable resources to guide your job search.
1. Global Investment Banks
Global investment banks are large, multinational institutions that provide services such as mergers and acquisitions, trading, investment management, and corporate financing. These firms are known for high-stakes, fast-paced environments where early career employees may be expected to quickly learn the ropes in areas like financial analysis, risk management, and client services. Employees will likely work long hours, but the opportunities for growth and exposure to complex financial products are significant. Graduates can expect intense learning experiences, hands-on involvement in high-profile deals, and the chance to work with top-tier clients in a competitive setting.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is synonymous with prestige in the financial world. Known for its rigorous recruitment process and competitive entry-level analyst programs, Goldman Sachs has a proven track record of developing leaders in finance. Starting salaries for analysts average $110,000 annually, with significant bonuses. Competition for these positions is high, but the website offers a wealth of information to help you Explore the Firm, Learn About the Businesses and even Get Resume and Interview Tips
Many industry leaders began their careers at Goldman, including David Solomon, who joined as a vice president and later became the CEO. with more than 2.6K interns from more than 450 schools, Goldman Sachs offers a presitgious internship program to help get candidates in the door. The company emphasizes professional growth, with rotations across departments and access to mentoring programs.
Challenges: High pressure and long hours are common, but the experience and connections gained are invaluable.
Pro Tip: Tailor your resume to highlight problem-solving skills and quantify your achievements. Expect technical and behavioral questions during interviews.
JPMorgan Chase
As the largest bank in the U.S., JPMorgan Chase offers unparalleled exposure to a broad range of financial services. The entry-level programs provide robust training, networking opportunities, and mentorship. Analysts earn an average of $100,000 annually, with bonuses reflecting performance. Getting in the door can be a challenge, so you’ll want to begin thinking about your career at JPMorgan Chase early on. With school programs and apprenticeships, pre-internship programs and internships, the earlier you can begin the process the better. Once you are in the door, you will have plenty of opportunities for growth. Jamie Dimon, the long-standing CEO of JPMorgan Chase, often cites the importance of cultivating talent within the organization, highlighting its commitment to growth.
Challenges: Roles are highly competitive, and expectations for performance are high.
Pro Tip: Demonstrate your ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams. Familiarize yourself with JPMorgan’s values and recent projects before interviews.
Visit JPMorgan Chase Careers
2. Retail and Commercial Banks
Retail banks focus on providing financial services to individual consumers, such as savings and checking accounts, loans, mortgages, and credit cards. Unlike investment banks, the work environment in retail banking tends to be more customer-facing and stable. Early career employees might start in roles such as branch teller, loan officer, or personal banker, with opportunities to grow into managerial positions. While retail banking may not have the same high-risk profile as investment banks, it offers the chance to develop strong customer service, sales, and operational skills. The work-life balance is often more favorable compared to investment banking, with regular hours and an emphasis on building long-term customer relationships.
Wells Fargo
For those interested in retail or commercial banking, Wells Fargo offers extensive entry-level opportunities. Its Early Careers Program provides paths in areas like risk management, corporate finance, and operations. Starting salaries average $70,000 for analysts.
Wells Fargo prioritizes community engagement, inclusivity, and “well life”, making it a great option for professionals looking for meaningful work beyond the bottom line.
Challenges: The bank has worked to rebuild its reputation in recent years, which can provide an opportunity to contribute to meaningful organizational change.
Pro Tip: Highlight leadership and interpersonal skills during interviews, as customer interaction plays a key role in many positions.
Bank of America
Bank of America provides extensive support for entry-level employees through its Global Banking and Markets program. Analysts earn approximately $95,000, with opportunities to move into wealth management, investment banking, or corporate finance. Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, started in a regional role and advanced to lead the organization, exemplifying the career growth potential at the company.
Challenges: The large size of the organization can make it challenging to stand out.
Pro Tip: Demonstrate how your values align with Bank of America’s focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Do you have connections at Bank of America? Bank of America encourages candidates to reach out to connections on LinkedIn. Knowing someone who works at Bank of America can be a great resource for your questions and help you to get in the door.
Visit Bank of America Careers
3. Financial Technology (FinTech) Companies
FinTech (Financial Technology) companies leverage technology to provide financial services, such as digital payments, online lending, cryptocurrency, and robo-advisory services. This sector is rapidly growing and offers a dynamic, innovative environment where early career employees can expect to work on cutting-edge solutions. Unlike traditional financial institutions, FinTech companies often have a startup-like culture, with an emphasis on agility, problem-solving, and innovation. Graduates entering FinTech roles will likely experience a fast-paced environment, where they can apply their tech skills to modernize the finance industry. This sector is perfect for those who enjoy working at the intersection of finance and technology, and offers the potential for fast career advancement and exposure to the latest financial trends.
Stripe
Stripe is a leading FinTech company that attracts early-career professionals eager to innovate. Roles in customer experience, engineering, and financial operations are among the most sought-after. Salaries for entry-level roles average $80,000, with stock options often included. At Stripe you WILL have an opportunity to make an impact. Some of the most important things Stripe has built, like the initial versions of Connect and Atlas, were created by one or two people in their first “real” jobs!
Stripe’s founders, Patrick and John Collison, emphasize a collaborative and forward-thinking culture, making it an exciting choice for tech-savvy graduates.
Challenges: The fast-paced, high-growth environment requires adaptability and self-motivation.
Pro Tip: Showcase your ability to solve real-world problems during interviews. Knowledge of programming languages like Python is a plus for technical roles.
Visit Stripe Careers
Square (Block, Inc.)
Square, now part of Block, Inc., is known for its innovation in digital payments. Entry-level roles span product management, operations, and analytics, with starting salaries around $85,000. Square has a variety of entry-level jobs across the company (see Jobs page for current openings). Their emerging talent recruiting program matches people who’ve completed a variety of learning-based programs, including educational bootcamps, workshops, and university degree programs, with internships and full-time jobs in software engineering. Occasionally,opportunities are also available in product design, data science, hardware, and business.
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Square, has created a culture of experimentation and resilience. Employees often work on projects that shape the future of commerce.
Challenges: Workloads can be intense, especially during product launches.
Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with the company’s products and think about ways to enhance customer experience when preparing for interviews.
Why Financial Institutions Make Great Launch Pads
Starting your career at a leading financial institution provides a strong foundation, whether you stay in finance or pivot to another industry. These companies offer robust training, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on high-impact projects. By leveraging these experiences, you can set yourself apart as a future leader.
If you’re considering a role in finance, take time to research companies, tailor your applications, and prepare thoroughly for interviews. Each of these institutions is competitive, but with preparation and persistence, you can land a role that aligns with your goals.
Tips for Applying
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight skills that match the job description, including healthcare-specific experience like internships or certifications.
- Join the Talent Network: Many financial institutions offer talent networks on their career websites. Add your profile and create an alert for jobs of interest.
- Network: Use LinkedIn to connect with current employees and alumni from your university who work at these organizations. Many healthcare organizations also have hiring events. If you are unable to attend, reach out and explain that while you are unable to attend, you are very interested in opportunities with their organization
- Practice Behavioral Interviews: Prepare to discuss how your skills align with the company’s mission and values. Consider using these AI prompts to help you prepare/
Coming Up Next: Top Retail Companies for Entry-Level Employees
Stay tuned for the next post in our “Top Companies to Launch Your Career” series, where we’ll explore top news companies to launch your professional journey.
