About Swiss Finance Institute

How has Swiss Finance Institute prepared you for your career in investment banking?

The time I spent at Swiss Finance Institute was some of the best few weeks of my life. The Institute has added tremendous value to my career – it has exponentially increased my understanding of a broad spectrum of financial concepts that have served me well since joining Citigroup. Because of the SFA teaching method, I gained knowledge of not only relevant investment banking concepts, but also solid experience in applying these concepts. SFA is much more than an educational experience; it is like a work experience, in and of itself. During my time at SFA, I had the opportunity to build several financial models, engage in numerous simulations and work with my team to develop various client presentations. All of these exercises have been extremely useful to me in my current position as I carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of an analyst. SFA offers an intense program, but its rewards are well-worth the hard work. The level of preparation that SFA offers to those about to enter the world of investment banking is unparalleled.

What makes the Swiss Finance Institute network so special?

SFA offers a rare opportunity to meet highly accomplished, highly motivated individuals from all over the world. The personal experiences that all of my classmates brought to the table deeply enriched each lesson and discussion. The diversity of program participants really added a worldwide perspective to everything that we did – an element of the program that is really invaluable given the global interconnectedness of the banking industry. Some of my classmates came into the program with experience in industries ranging from real estate to computer hardware, and represented locations as far away as Hong Kong and Taiwan. Regardless of their backgrounds, all of my classmates had a strong interest in learning and in getting the most out of SFA’s intense, in-depth curriculum; this ambition has carried over into their professional lives, and I continue to be impressed with the professional success of the members of my SFA network since their departure from the program. SFA was instrumental in achieving that success.

- David Stone, Citigroup Investment Banking