Looking to break into IB eventually, what licenses do you need as I would like to complete this before breaking in. I understand nothings guaranteed but I’d like to still get the licenses needed. Is it just series 7 and 79?Thank you.

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To break into Investment Banking (IB) and acquire the necessary licenses in advance, here’s what you should know:



Primary Licenses for Investment Banking
1. Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam
• Overview: This is a prerequisite exam administered by FINRA and must be passed before taking any of the top-off qualification exams like Series 79.
• Eligibility: No sponsorship required. Anyone 18 or older can take it.
2. Series 79 – Investment Banking Representative Exam
• Purpose: Specifically required for professionals engaged in investment banking activities such as mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity offerings, and corporate restructuring.
• Sponsorship: Requires sponsorship by a FINRA-member firm.
3. Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam
• Purpose: Required by many states to sell securities. While not strictly IB-related, it’s often needed if your activities overlap into securities sales across state lines.
• Administered by: NASAA, but taken through FINRA.
4. Series 7 – General Securities Representative Exam
• Clarification: Not typically required for investment banking roles. It is more common for roles in sales & trading, wealth management, or general brokerage.
• However, some firms may require it in hybrid or smaller environments.



Can You Take These Exams Before Getting the Job?
• SIE: Yes, you can take it on your own.
• Series 79 / 63 / 7: No, you must be sponsored by a firm to take these.

So while your motivation to get licensed beforehand is great, you can only start with the SIE. Once you are hired by a firm, they can sponsor you for the others.



Recommended Path
1. Pass the SIE exam independently.
2. Focus on networking, internships, or entry-level roles to get into IB.
3. Once hired, your firm will likely sponsor you for Series 79 and possibly Series 63.

Let me know if you’d like resources or a study plan for the SIE!

Can I dm you? Would love to get resources/study plan for this?

Knopman marks

Do you have any previous internship experience? It’s difficult to “break into” IB if you don’t have connections and or experience.

I have 5 years of work experience. Not in banking though.

Sei is the only one you can get without being sponsored by a broker dealer. Also 5 year of work experience means it’s prob too late to break into ib without an mba

They could break into a LMM / MM bank if they have TAS experience

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