Members Spotlight | Paul Barnhurst & Scott Powell - 100 Episodes of FinPod Special
In this special episode of CFI’s FinPod, we’re joined by our co-founder Scott Powell and founder of “The FP&A Guy,” Paul Barnhurst, to explore how AI, automation, and evolving skill sets reshape careers in FP&A, capital markets, and investment banking. We discuss how tools like ChatGPT are already changing workflows, why Python and Excel are...
4 Types of Financial Analysts: Which Career Path Fits You Best?
Navigating the Many Types of Financial Analysts Dreaming of a career where you can influence business decisions, drive financial strategy, or help organizations manage risk? Financial analysis might be your perfect match. But here’s the thing — the financial analyst path branches in several distinct directions, each with its own unique appeal. Finance offers remarkably...
Bank Regulatory Capital in Valuation: What You Need to Know
Why Bank Regulatory Capital Matters in Valuation When analyzing a bank’s valuation, profitability alone doesn’t tell the full story. A bank may post billions in earnings yet remain constrained in dividend payouts or growth potential. The reason? Bank regulatory capital. Regulatory capital requirements determine how much capital banks must hold before distributing profits to shareholders...
What's New at CFI | IB/PE Specialization
In this episode, Meeyeon, Jeff, and Duncan discuss the newly launched specialization in Investment Banking and Private Equity (IB and PE) at CFI. Join us as we explore the reasons behind the popularity of these fields, the misconceptions surrounding private equity, and the essential skills required for success in both areas. Transcript Meeyeon (00:13) Hi...
Bank Valuation: Why Traditional Methods Don't Work (And What Does)
Valuing a Bank Takes a Specialized Approach Bank valuation stands apart from traditional business valuation methods. While financial analysts typically rely on metrics like enterprise value (EV) and discounted cash flow (DCF) to value businesses in other industries, these approaches fall short when applied to banks. The banking sector’s unique operations demand a different analytical...
Member Spotlight | Dang Duong Nguyen
In this episode of CFI’s FinPod podcast, we sit down with Dang Duong Nguyen, a young finance enthusiast from Singapore. Join us as we talk about Dang’s journey into finance, his education at Polytechnic, and his self-driven learning through CFI courses. Dang shares insights from his internship at Julius Baer and outlines his aspirations in...
M&A Financing: Cash, Debt, or Equity?
The Strategic Impact of M&A Financing Decisions Ever wondered why some acquisitions soar while others stumble? The secret often lies not just in what you buy, but how you pay for it. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financing decisions shape everything from shareholder returns to post-merger success, yet many businesses underestimate their complexity and impact. Picture...
Investment Banking Career Path
Investment banking career paths are dynamic and prestigious within the financial services industry, attracting ambitious professionals seeking to work at the intersection of finance, strategy, and corporate growth. Below, we’ll explore what investment bankers do, providing insights into the roles, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required to succeed in this challenging yet rewarding field. This includes...
What's New at CFI | Careers in Finance: New Course Release
In this episode of What’s New at CFI, you have the whole gang: Ryan Spendelow, Duncan McKeen, Jeff Schmidt, and Sebastian Taylor. We all took part in creating this course that deeply resonates with a major reason why people come to CFI: to learn about career paths in finance and banking and the skills required....
Capital IQ vs. FactSet vs. Refinitiv
In the fast-paced world of global financial markets, access to accurate and timely financial data (also called big data) can make the difference between a good and exceptional investment decision. Capital IQ (CapIQ), Refinitiv, and FactSet have emerged as some of the world’s largest providers of financial intelligence, enabling investment bankers, portfolio managers, and financial...
