sample cover letter for banking and finance

Finance Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates for 2024)

You can navigate the landscape of numbers, investments, and economic intricacies.

You’re a financial pro, and you’ve got the expertise to prove it.

But there's just one thing standing between you and a successful job application – your cover letter.

Writing a compelling finance cover letter can feel more complicated than analyzing stock market trends. You might find yourself paralyzed with no idea how to prove your financial prowess.

Don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through it.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What an Amazing Finance Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Steps to Writing a Job-Winning Finance Cover Letter

3 Essential Finance Cover Letter Tips

Finance cover letter example.

5 Steps for the Perfect Finance Cover Letter

Now that you know what a great cover letter looks like, you're all set to write your own !

Just follow these straightforward steps:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Start your finance cover letter by creating a header for your contact details, the same as on your resume .

Here's what you should have in there:

• First and Last Name. Make sure your full name is in plain view at the top.
• Professional Title. Match this with the specific finance role you're after. Hiring managers usually hire for several roles at once, so this will help them notice your application.
• Email Address. Keep it professional, like a combo of your names. The quirky high school email won't cut it. (e.g.: [email protected] is not a good look, but [email protected] is fine.)
• Phone Number. Ensure your phone number is accurate since employers need to reach you easily. A missed digit could mean a missed interview.
• Location. Usually, city and state/country are enough. But if you're open to relocating or working remotely, mention it.
• Relevant Links (optional). Share your LinkedIn or any other relevant social media that can back up your financial expertise.

Now, let's talk about reaching the hiring manager’s contact information :

• Company Name. Mention the financial institution you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find it, great! Check the job listing, the company's website, or LinkedIn profile.
• Hiring Manager's Title. If they've got a fancier title than “Hiring Manager”, such as “Chief Financial Officer”, address them accordingly.
• Location. City and state/country details are crucial, especially for global firms.
• Date of Writing (optional). Adding the date you penned your letter gives it a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've sorted out your finance cover letter's contact details, it's time to address it properly .

Say goodbye to the generic "To Whom It May Concern."

The right greeting can make a positive impression on the hiring manager and set the tone for your entire finance cover letter.

Start with some research. Check the job ad, the company's website, or their LinkedIn profile to identify the finance department's hiring manager. Find their name and use it.

Be sure to address them professionally. You can use “Ms.” or “Mr.”, followed by their last name. But if you're unsure about their gender or marital status, simply use their full name. For example:

• Dear Ms. Anderson
• Dear Emily Anderson

And if you can't find information about the hiring manager or the head of the finance department, address your letter to the department or the company as a whole:

• Dear Finance Department
• Dear Finance Hiring Team
• Dear Human Resources Team
• Dear Head of Finance

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

As the saying goes, time is money, and hiring managers value time a lot. In fact, it doesn’t take them more than a few seconds to decide if an application is worth reading in detail.

That's why writing a strong introductory paragraph in your finance cover letter is essential. Start by introducing yourself as a professional and clearly stating why you're enthusiastic about the position. Showing your passion for the finance industry or the specific role can instantly capture the hiring manager's attention.

But conducting some research on the company can significantly boost your chances, too. The more insights you gather about the employer, the better you can show them your alignment with their work culture or company goals. This shows that you're not applying randomly; you genuinely have your sights set on this specific opportunity, and you’re ready to put in the work.

Depending on your level of experience, you can also kick off your cover letter with an accomplishment or a skill that makes you an ideal fit for the role. Just make sure that this paragraph isn’t too lengthy. All you need to do is spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to explore your cover letter further.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your cover letter is where you have to prove you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

But don’t repeat what it says on your finance resume . This is your opportunity to really show your financial prowess and qualifications in a way that leaves a mark. Your mission is to persuade the hiring manager that you're the standout choice among the competition, even if they have similar experience and skills.

So shine a spotlight on any noteworthy achievements you have and use the job advertisement as inspiration.

Tailoring your cover letter to align with the specific job ad is crucial. You should emphasize skills and experiences that resonate with the company's needs. For example, if you're applying for a finance role in a tech-driven firm, focus on your tech-related financial skills rather than more generic experiences in finance.

Be sure to demonstrate your understanding of the company, its financial model, or the intricacies of the finance industry as a whole. If you're well-acquainted with the company's financial products or services, mention it in your cover letter to show how and why your financial expertise aligns seamlessly with the company’s mission and corporate culture.

Lastly, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through your words. Convey your genuine excitement for the position and your confidence in your ability to contribute to the company. Show them that you're not just another candidate but the financial talent that meets all their requirements.

If you need even more inspiration, check out our other cover letter examples !

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

The ending of your finance cover letter is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Start closing your finance cover letter by confidently reiterating why you’re the perfect fit for the role and giving a brief recap of your key skills that prove it.

After that, it’s time for a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, whether it's scheduling an interview or exploring your application in more detail. A well-placed call to action can make all the difference and get you closer to your dream job.

Finally, choose an appropriate closing line. And don’t forget to sign your full name underneath. Like so:

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me via the provided email or phone number so that we may further discuss my application. I eagerly await the opportunity to go over how I can help Company X on its mission to success.

Best regards,

And if you're seeking an alternative to "Best regards," consider these options:

• Warm regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• Thank you for your consideration,

You've got the basics of cover letter writing under your belt!

Now it's time to refine yours with some essential cover letter tips :

#1. Match Your Resume

Clarity is important in the finance industry, and the best place to start with it is on your cover letter.

You have to make sure your finance cover letter’s formatting and layout align with your finance resume as much as possible. This can convey a polished and well-organized image of you as a candidate and make it easier for the hiring manager to identify your application out of the bunch.

So keep your text neatly arranged on the page and maintain uniform font styles and sizes. Pay attention to the page margins and line spacing so your cover letter remains concise and still fits on a single page .

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Feeling overwhelmed?

Just try our resume builder and matching cover letter templates to make crafting your application easier.

Each template is crafted with input from hiring experts worldwide, so they meet all industry standards and look gorgeous.

#2. Mention Skills and Keywords

You don’t want your finance cover letter to come off as generic.

Try to mention as many keywords from the job advertisement as you can. Hiring managers already know what they want from a candidate, so you have to show them you meet all their criteria.

Doing this proves you’ve paid careful attention to the job advertisement, and it also directs hiring managers to the information they care the most about. Just don’t throw in those keywords randomly!

You want to build a narrative that shows your expertise. Focus on the most important skills mentioned in the job ad that match the ones you already have, and explain how they’ve helped you excel at your job.

#3. Add Any Relevant Links

Your finance cover letter should match your resume’s contact information down to a T.

So, if you added any relevant links to one, make sure the other has them, too. Specifically, when it comes to listing personal websites or social media profiles like LinkedIn, hiring managers appreciate it.

This gives them quick and easy access to see your previous work instead of having to circle back to your resume to find a link. They could even connect with you directly on LinkedIn, so this extra touch of accessibility and professionalism can leave a great impression on potential employers.

Key Takeaways

And you’re all set with writing your finance cover letter!

After reading our guide, we trust you’re well-equipped to secure the exact job you have your sights set on.

Before you head off, let’s summarize some main points from our article:

• Your finance cover letter’s look should match your resume since it shows professionalism, and attention to detail, and makes it easier for the hiring manager to spot your application. Use a resume builder with matching cover letter templates to save time.
• Keep your contact information factual and professional. You don’t want to use an immature email address from your high school years since it could leave a bad impression.
• Include any skills and other keywords from the job description in the body of your cover letter. Use them to illustrate how your experience matches what the employer is looking for and to present yourself as an ideal candidate.
• Wrap up your cover letter with an appropriate closing line, and don’t forget to sign your name at the bottom. This little detail is the bow that ties together a spotless application.

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Banking cover letter examples

If you’re hoping to land your next banking role, then you need a cover letter that’s right on the money.

In our step-by-step guide, we’ll share our top tips and advice for writing an impressive application.

We’ve also created some banking cover letter examples to inspire your own. Check them out below.

CV templates 

Banking cover letter example 1

Build your CV now 

Banking cover letter example 2

Banking cover letter example 3

These 3 Banking cover letter example s should provide you with a good steer on how to write your own cover letter, and the general structure to follow.

Our simple step-by-step guide below provides some more detailed advice on how you can craft a winning cover letter for yourself, that will ensure your CV gets opened.

How to write a Banking cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your Banking cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

To start building rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager right away, lead with a friendly greeting.

Try to strike a balance between professional and personable.

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Stay away from old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies – they can come across as cold and robotic.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try to uncover it via these methods.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *Banking role* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your Banking cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Banking cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Banking cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Banking cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Hello Harry

I am keen to showcase my interest in the Bank Manager position at Investec. With a distinguished career in the financial service industry spanning over 15 years, I am excited about the opportunity to lead a dynamic team, steer exceptional customer experiences, and contribute to the success of your company.

Throughout my career at Metro Bank, I have held progressively responsible roles, where I honed my expertise in optimising branch operations, client service, team management, and business development across all activities. Some of the significant contributions I have played throughout my time at Metro Bank include, increasing deposits by 30% through integrating targeted marketing campaigns and relationship-building strategies, developing training programs which enhanced branch staff’s cross-selling of bank products by 50%, and lessening annual expenses by £80K by negotiating favourable contracts with suitable vendors.

My passion for fostering a customer-centric culture has been the driving force behind my success, and I am confident that my collaborative approach and ability to build and maintain relationships will ensure continued growth for Investec as a whole. Thank you very much for considering my application and I hope to hear from you very soon regarding scheduling an interview.

Kind regards

Ellen Mount ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

I hope you’re well. I am thrilled to apply for the Private Banker role at Santander, as advertised on Indeed. With a successful track record in wealth management and a deep commitment to delivering personalised financial solutions to high-net-worth clients, I am eager to contribute my expertise to your institution.

I possess 7 years of experience as a Private Banker at CitiBank, where I increased AUM by 20% since 2016, successfully generated £3M in revenue and exceeded individual/team targets through cross-selling financial products to clients. I also boosted CSAT scores by 10% within 3-months due to promptly addressing any complaints.

I am eager to leverage my skills to enhance your establishment’s reputation and ensure to its continued success. As a highly analytical professional, I thrive in dynamic market environments and excel at navigating complex financial landscapes. My dedication to providing exceptional service is matched by my commitment to stay abreast of industry trends and guaranteeing my clients receive the most relevant advice.

Thank you for considering my application and look forward to attending an interview at your convenience.

Simon Piles ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

Good morning, Gary

I am excited to apply for the Junior Teller role at Fidelity Bank. I am eager to leverage my skills and commitment towards maintaining the high standards of service associated with your institution.

Throughout my academic journey and part-time experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of banking procedures, where I gained valuable insights into the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and efficiency in handling transactions. As a recent HND Banking Graduate from Lincoln College, I possess theoretical knowledge in financial accounting and economics.

Additionally, I completed a one-year internship at TD Group where I was exposed to real-world cash handling, account management, and customer interactions. During this internship I assisted in the implementation of a new process for addressing inquiries that reduced wait times by 20%, as well as assuring a 100% record of compliance with bank policies which led to successful audits with no major findings.

Please feel free to reach out to me via email or by phone at your convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you for considering my application.

Lisa McKenzie ¦ 07777777777 ¦ [email protected]

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Banking job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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The Investment Banking Cover Letter Template You’ve Been Waiting For

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A long time ago I said that we would never post a cover letter template here :

“I was tempted to post a Word template, but I don’t want 5,000 daily visitors to copy it and to start using the same exact cover letter.”

But hey, we already have resume templates that everyone is using, so why not go a step further and give you a cover letter template as well?

Plus, “investment banking cover letter” is one of the top 10 search terms visitors use to find this site – so you must be looking for a template.

The Template & Tutorial

Let’s jump right in:

Investment Banking Cover Letter Template [Download]

Download Template – Word

Download Template – PDF

And here’s the video that explains everything:

(For more free training and financial modeling videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel .)

And if you’d rather read, here’s the text version:

Do Cover Letters Actually Matter?

At bulge bracket banks, people barely read cover letters.

Cover letters matter 10x less than resumes and 100x less than networking.

But there are a few special cases where they’re more important:

• Boutiques and Local Banks – Sometimes they actually read cover letters.
• Unusual Backgrounds – If you’re NOT in university or business school at the moment, you may need to explain yourself in more detail.
• Outside the US – In Europe, for example, some banks pay more attention to cover letters, online applications, and so on.

Similar to grades and test scores, a great cover letter won’t set you apart but a poor one will hurt you – so let’s find out how to avoid that.

Keep your cover letter compact and avoid 0.1″ margins and size 8 font.

With resumes you can get away with shrinking the font sizes and margins if you really need to fit in extra information, but this is questionable with cover letters.

Go for 0.75″ or 1″ margins and at least size 10 font.

With resumes there were a couple different templates depending on your level – but with cover letters that’s not necessary and you can use the same template no matter your background.

1 Page Only

Ok, maybe they do things differently in Australia (just like with resumes) but aside from that there is no reason to write a multi-page cover letter.

If you actually have enough experience to warrant multiple pages, do it on your resume instead and keep the cover letter brief.

Contact Information

List your own information – name, address, phone number, and email address – right-aligned up at the top.

Then, below that you list the date and the name and contact information for the person you’re writing to, left-aligned on the page.

If you don’t have this information you can just list the company name and address and use a “Dear Sir or Madam” greeting.

That’s not ideal – especially if you’re applying to smaller firms where cover letters actually get read – but it’s all you can do if you can’t find a person’s name.

If you’re sending the cover letter via email as the body of the email, you can omit all this information and just include the greeting at the top.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

This is where you explain who you are, where you’re currently working or studying, and how you found the bank that you’re applying to.

Name-drop as much as possible:

• Impressive-sounding university or business school ? Mention it. Even if it’s not well-known, you still need to mention it here.
• Your company name , especially if it’s recognizable, and the group you’re working in, especially if it’s something relevant to finance like business development.
• How you found them – specific peoples’ names , specific presentations or information sessions where you met them, and so on.
• The position you’re applying for (Analyst? Associate?) – especially for smaller places that are not well-organized.

This first paragraph is all about grabbing their attention.

Example 1st Paragraph:

“My name is John Smith and I am currently a 3rd year economics major at UCLA. I recently met Fred Jackson from the M&A group at Goldman Stanley during a presentation at our school last week, and was impressed with what I learned of your culture and recent deal flow. I am interested in pursuing an investment banking summer analyst position at your firm, and have enclosed my resume and background information below.”

Paragraph 2: Your Background

You go through your most relevant experience and how the skills you gained will make you a good banker right here.

Do not list all 12 internships or all 5 full-time jobs you’ve had – focus on the most relevant 1-2, once again name-dropping where appropriate (bulge bracket banks / large PE firms / Fortune 500 companies).

Highlight the usual skills that bankers want to see – teamwork, leadership, analytical ability, financial modeling and so on.

If you worked on a high-impact project / deal / client, you can point that out and list the results as well.

This may be your longest paragraph, but you still don’t want to write War and Peace – keep it to 3-4 sentences.

Example 2nd Paragraph:

“I have previously completed internships in accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers and in wealth management at UBS. Through this experience working directly with clients, analyzing financial statements, and making investment recommendations, I have developed leadership and analytical skills and honed my knowledge of accounting and finance. I also had the opportunity to work with a $20M net-worth client at UBS and completely revamped his portfolio, resulting in a 20% return last year.”

Paragraph 3: Why You’re a Good Fit

Now you turn around and link your experience and skills to the position more directly and explain that leadership + quantitative skills + accounting/finance knowledge = success.

There is not much to this part – just copy the template and fill in the blanks.

Example 3rd Paragraph:

“Given my background in accounting and wealth management and my leadership and analytical skills, I am a particularly good fit for the investment banking summer analyst position at your firm. I am impressed by your track record of clients and transactions at Goldman Stanley and the significant responsibilities given to analysts, and I look forward to joining and contributing to your firm.”

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

This part’s even easier: remind them that your resume is enclosed (or attached if sent via email), thank them for their time, and give your contact information once again so they don’t have to scroll to the top to get it.

Example 4th Paragraph:

“A copy of my resume is enclosed for your reference. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you and learn more about Goldman Stanley at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at 310-555-1234 or via email at [email protected]. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.”

Unusual Backgrounds

These examples cover how to apply to a bank if you’re in university, business school, or you’ve been working for several years.

If you have a more unusual background (e.g. you went to med school, graduated, started your residency, but then decided you wanted to be an investment banker), then you might need to add a few sentences to paragraph #2 or #3 explaining yourself.

Resist the urge to write your life story because no one will read it – interviews are a much better venue to prove how committed you are.

Email vs. Attachments

If you’re emailing your cover letter and resume, do you create a separate cover letter attachment?

Or do you make the body of your email the cover letter?

I think it’s redundant to create a separate cover letter and attach it, so don’t bother unless they ask specifically for a separate cover letter.

If you’re making the body of your email the cover letter, make it even shorter (4-5 sentences total) and cut out the address bits at the top.

Optional Cover Letters?

If you’re applying online and it says “Optional Cover Letter” should you still upload one?

You might as well because it takes 2 minutes once you have a good template – it’s not the end of the world if you don’t include one, but you never know what everyone else is doing and it’s not terribly time-consuming.

Cover Letter Mistakes

Remember the role of cover letters: great ones don’t help much, but poor ones get you dinged.

The biggest mistakes with cover letters:

• Making outrageous claims (“I’m a math genius!”) or trying to be “creative” with colors, pictures, fonts, and so on.
• Going on for too long – 10 paragraphs or multiple pages.
• Listing irrelevant information like your favorite ice cream, your favorite quotes from Wall Street or Boiler Room , and so on.

If you think this sounds ridiculous, remember the golden rule: do not overestimate the competition .

For every person reading this site, there are dozens more asking, “What it’s like to be an investment banker?” at information sessions.

Sometimes you hear stories of people who write “impassioned” cover letters, win the attention of a boutique, and get in like that …

…And I’m sure that happens, but you do not want to do that at large banks.

If you do, your cover letter will be forwarded to the entire world and your “career” will be destroyed in 5 minutes .

More Examples

As with resumes, there are hardly any good examples of investment banking cover letters online.

Most of the templates are horribly formatted and are more appropriate for equities in Dallas than real investment banking.

Here’s a slightly different but also good templates you could use:

• Best Cover Letters – MBA Template

More questions? Ask away.

Still Need More Help?

Introducing: premium investment banking-specific resume/cv and cover letter editing services.

We will take your existing resume and transform it into a resume that grabs the attention of finance industry professionals and presents you and your experience in the best possible light.

When we’re done, your resume will grab bankers by the lapels and not let them go until they’ve given you an interview.

Specifically, here’s what you’ll get:

• Detailed, line-by-line editing of your resume/CV – Everything that needs to be changed will be changed. No detail is ignored.
• Your experience will be “bankified” regardless of whether you’ve been a student, a researcher, a marketer, a financier, a lawyer, an accountant, or anything else.
• Optimal structuring – You’ll learn where everything from Education to Work Experience to Activities should go. Regional badminton champion? Stamp collector? You’ll find out where those should go, too.
• The 3-point structure to use for all your “Work Experience” entries: simple, but highly effective at getting the attention of bankers.
• How to spin non-finance experience into sounding like you’ve been investing your own portfolio since age 12.
• How to make business-related experience, such as consulting, law, and accounting, sounds like “deal work.”
• How to avoid the fatal resume mistake that gets you automatically rejected . Nothing hurts more than making a simple oversight that gets you an immediate “ding”.
• We only work with a limited number of clients each month. In fact, we purposely turn down potential clients in cases where we cannot add much value. We prefer quality over quantity, and we always want to ensure that we can work well together first.

FIND OUT MORE

Other Options for Personalized Help: Wall Street Mastermind

Finally, if you want to go  beyond your cover letter and also get help with your resume, work experience, networking, and interview prep, check out Wall Street Mastermind .

They’ve worked with over 1,000 students to help them secure high-paying investment banking jobs out of school (and internships while in school), and their coaches include a former Global Head of Recruiting at three different large banks.

They provide personalized, hands-on guidance through the entire networking and interview process – and they have a great track record of results for their clients.

It could be a great fit for you if you’re looking for comprehensive coaching through the entire process rather than just a new version of your resume or cover letter.

You can book a free consultation with them to learn more .

About the Author

Brian DeChesare is the Founder of Mergers & Inquisitions and Breaking Into Wall Street . In his spare time, he enjoys lifting weights, running, traveling, obsessively watching TV shows, and defeating Sauron.

Free Exclusive Report: 57-page guide with the action plan you need to break into investment banking - how to tell your story, network, craft a winning resume, and dominate your interviews

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279 thoughts on “ The Investment Banking Cover Letter Template You’ve Been Waiting For ”

I love how hand downs and direct this page is. Trying to break into IB come from a (semi-)target school but very bad GPA, love how you are always motivating, but realistic. Keep it up!

I am a sophomore and have a low gpa (2.5) should I include this on my cover letter? how do I stand out and not get dinged, low gpa because had to work full time freshman year because my dad lost his job, and my family had health issues. Am an only child.

All you can really do about a low GPA is network extensively so that people who know you can recommend you, and so you can avoid being filtered out by screening tools. See: https://mergersandinquisitions.com/low-gpa-investment-banking/

Maybe include a brief mention of why your GPA is lower in your cover letter, but focus on how you’ve improved since your first year (mention the higher GPA since then).

Thanks for the write up!

If i am writing my cover letter in the body of the email, Do i write the name of the recipient instead of dear Madam ?

I like it not bad

Hey Brian – thanks for this article. Quick question: is there a certain point in your career (in my case, I’m an associate) when you can stop with the cover letters even if they give you the option?

Cover letters are pretty much always optional unless they ask for one.

I was wondering for your template, you gave a solid and formal introduction. I also see other career advice sites that recommend making the cover letter “memorable” and straying away from the cookie cutter method with more flashy intros. As an example just from another online source: When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I grew up. I eventually realized that wasn’t an option, but you can imagine my excitement when I came across the events manager position, which would have me working side by side with my favorite company mascot. So what’s your opinion on this? I’m sure it’s different for every field, so would you say the average investment banker appreciates something like this, or would it just make them roll their eyes and make you seem too keen/tryhard.

Same Andrew again…

Sorry I should’ve watched your video fully before asking. But you mentioned to not get too fancy with fonts, photos, etc. But would the bit of personal information outside the cookie cutter approach separate you in the slightest? To me, cover letters sound like they have the same purpose as GPA. A 4.0 (good but generic cover letter) won’t give you any advantages, but a 2.5 (poorly done letter) will eliminate you from the application process.

Yes, cover letters are basically used to weed out people, not to select them. You can include some personal information such as an interesting student group, study abroad, or experience that led you to IB, but don’t go overboard with trying to appear “interesting.” Save that for actual networking and interviews.

If you are applying to traditional “high finance” roles such as investment banking, private equity, etc., you should not do anything creative with your cover letter. It will only backfire. Firms either do not read cover letters, or if they do, they simply look at them to make sure you didn’t do something silly or inappropriate. You’re taking a very big risk by writing a “creative” cover letter, and one that has very little upside with tons of downside.

For online applications that request your resume, but do not specify whether a cover letter should be included, should I submit a cover letter? Also since you can only submit one document in these cases, should you compile resume and cover letter into one document?

Thanks so much.

If they just request your resume, just include your resume. I would not even bother with a cover letter or combining them into one document.

Do we have to leave

“Enclosure: Resume”

At the bottom of the Cover Letter? Many thanks

*In Online Application where they ask you to attach your CV and Cover Letter – if that makes any difference

Brina, many thanks for the quick answer. Just a last question:

Shall we sign between sincerely and our name or under our name?Both options are good?

Alternative A:

(Signature)

Alternative B:

The first one is slightly better.

I just wanted to thank you for not only this Cover Letter template but also your Resume template. I have used both and I have received great feedback from interviewers and getting my foot in the door for asset management.

Thanks! Glad to hear it. Good luck!

This question targets the paragraph listing relevant experiences & skills gained through it.

As a University Student with some corporate finance and consulting experience but nothing directly related to investment banking, do you think it would be relevant to list explain skills gained during university classes (e.g. a term project that simulated the entire M&A process based on a real life deal) that involved valuation, simulated investor calls, etc. Or do you believe sticking to actual work experience would be best suited.

Thanks a lot for all the content you post.

Stick to your work experience if you have actual CF and consulting internships. Maybe add a line or brief phrase within a line that mentions your learnings from university classes as well.

I live in the UK and I’ve been told cover letters carry a lot of weighting in the initial application process. I have written a cover letter which is 8 paragraphs but it’s still 1 page. Do you think this would be ok or should I take some stuff out? Thanks in advance, great website you have.

By the way, it’s still size 10 font but I had to reduce the line spacing between the paragraphs to fit it all in.

Cover letters only matter in the “negative” sense, i.e. if you write something stupid or have typos, you could lose an offer or interview opportunity. Your cover letter should be as short as possible, so 8 paragraphs is too long, especially if you had to reduce the font size to 10, which is too small. So, be more concise and realize that bankers glance at hundreds/thousands of these letters each recruiting season…

How do one relate a tax internship experience which I acquired In an accounting consulting firm to an investment banking internship I hope to start with with BofA

Talk about how your tax findings/work affected the big picture… did they potentially change the company’s valuation? What was the impact on the company’s financial statements? Did anything you did result in changes to the internal controls at the company? Did you do any tax work related to M&A or equity/debt deals?

Hi Brian, I have read that the header of a cover letter should match your resume. Is there a reason the header from the M&I resume template was not included in this cover letter template?

??? I think it would be very odd if your cover letter started with your name in a bigger font size at the top… so, no if that is what you are asking about. A cover letter should start with the normal heading of a letter. Your resume is different because it’s intended to present the key points in bullet/highlight format.

I agree. Thanks.

I’m applying online to banks in the EMEA area and most banks ask for my motivation – they don’t require a cover letter. Could I still use this template? or wouldn’t it make any sense to use this template?

If its the case that this template would not be useful, do you have any tips on what to focus on in such a motivation letter?

I think this template is too long for a simple question about your motivation. Your motivation should basically be the last part of your “story” – assuming 150 words for a competency question and a 300-word story. See:

https://mergersandinquisitions.com/walk-me-through-your-resume/

How do you travel like a dug dealer? haha…You are funny. Great info. Thanks a lot. I’m trying to break the front door at Piper Jaffray so I can put my little two feet inside that door.

hey, i am actually studying law in France but i wanted to go on trading/investment banking/hedge fund area. What would you suggest me ? Which arguments should I point out ?

Thanks a lot !

??? I’m not sure I understand your question.

The links for Workbloom – Investment Banking Intern Template and Vanderbilt – Cover Letter Template are not valid anymore. Is it possible to fix that? Thank you very much!

Sincerely, Frank

We don’t have alternate links, sorry. But the template there wasn’t much different anyway.

Hi Brian, I had a question in mind. I have been working with a Big four Audit firm in India for the past 10 months now, and have a Bachelors in Commerce degree from a non-target University here. The role here is Back-end, as in we do not have client interaction, and rather coordinate with the US/EMEA teams – which deal with the clients directly – for the work. Recently, I got a call from GS for an Analyst position under the Data Resource Group for its IB Division in India. How do you suggest I pitch my auditing experience to get an offer for this position? Also, considering the work I do here is back-end and basically, formatting files around and punching in numbers! Thanks in advance for your help!

I would just point out how your audit work led directly to results with clients and how you were a part of the client-interaction process, even if you didn’t speak with them directly. As a result, you have a good understanding of what they’re looking for and how to get them results most efficiently.

Thanks for the template. Is it correct to include in the cover letter an entreprise which I am auditing or not?

Sure, you could, but you have to be able to tie that to whatever role(s) you’re applying for.

Hi there, thanks for the cover letter template you provided. It’s a great help. Just wondering does the same template work for UK application? As you mentioned they tend to pay attention to cover letters.

Yes this template works for UK applications.

Thank you for sharing your blog, it helped a lot cos I am also having a hard time in writing a cover letter and I suck! Hope you can help more. Keep it up!

Thank you for sharing the template and guide! I am a recent college grad and just started working in an economic consulting firm (last month). I want to make the career transfer to IB and I am trying my best networking everywhere. I am applying for an IB analyst position and editing my cover letter. Should I still mention in the cover letter my leadership roles in college or it does not matter much?

Many thanks!

You can mention them briefly, but you should focus on your current role.

Thanks for the template! After working as an ER associate for 2 years in my hometown, I am moving from North America to Europe in the next few weeks. Should I mention in my cover letter something to the effect of “After visiting [country] several times over the past few years, I applied for and received my Work Visa” or will the recruiter assume I have a visa and do not require sponsorship? I just do not want to be passed over if they are assuming I will be a headache for them!

Furthermore, I am also hoping to move from ER to corporate. Besides tailoring the letter to reflect skills mentioned in the posting, are there any other changes that need to be made when moving out of capmarkets?

Thank you for your time!

Sure you can include this. Yes, I’d talk about why you want to move from ER to corporate and talk about why you prefer corporate over ER (perhaps you prefer the type of work in corporate better and you see yourself in a corporate vs. in a bank) and you want to move over to XX industry [the industry the corporate you’re applying for is in] given XX reason [ideally you’ve covered that industry in ER before]

Thank you Nicole. Should I be putting this explanation in paragraph 2? Or later on in the letter?

I’d probably list this later in the letter.

Hi, I’m studying in the US and applying to summer IBD internship in 3 different locations (New York, London, HK), so who should I address to in my cover letter since there is only one cover letter for three different recruiters? Thanks!

I’d say Dear Sir/Madam or To Whom It May Concern

when you express abbreviations, let’s say M&A, how do you put it in a cover letter? i.e., (“M&A”) or (M&A) without punctuations mark?

M&A is fine I believe

Hi! You mentioned that putting the name of the recruiter is always better than just a “Dear Sir/Madam”. When applying in London, do you think it is appropriate to address the cover letter to a recruiter I haven’t personally met that I just found his name via an internet search, specifically from Linkedin. Also, there are dozens recruiters for the same company on Linkedin, should I still address the letter to a specific person? What about if it is the director of HR? Should I address it to him/her directly?

Yes, I’d address the email to Director of HR. If you don’t know the person’s name, I’d say “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”

Hey, I have a question concerning applying for an internship at G&S in Europe. Instead of a cover letter they want you to submit a motivational statement with 300 words when applying, which is according to them similar to the cover letter. But I am a bit unsure that I express my motivation for applying for an investment banking postion with this cover letter because it focuses more on previous internships. Should I outline my internships and then explain that I want to pursue an career in IB because of them? and should I mention my extra curriculare activities which involve leadership experience and exotic interests?

I’d briefly touch on your previous experience and focus on why IB, and why GS. If the previous experience can serve as your IB spark, use them. So yes you can mention that you want to pursue a career in IB because of your previous internships, but don’t dive too deep given word limit and you can address that in interviews. No, the latter part should be demonstrated on your resume, unless you have space in the statement

What should you do in [Signature]?

I’m not sure I understand your question. I’d just insert your signature there.

Upload an image of your handwritten signature?

Yes you can do that. Copy and paste it below “Yours sincerely/Best Regards”

I resigned from my previous role in April this year as we were planning a family move to another country However, it did not materialize due to some unexpected changes and I have to start looking for a job again. This has left an employment gap of about 3 months in my resume. During this period, I have taken the BIWS course to enhance my knowledge. Shall I mention my current status and address that in my cover letter? or leave it out and talk about it when asked during interview?

Xavier, you can list that on your resume and cover letter. You may also want to talk about other activities you’ve done during those 3 months.

I am a first year associate working at a boutique bank on the trading floor and trying to switch into equity research/banking side. How is the cover letter different from the cover letter template above. Do I need to specifically state why I am switching?

Yes you need to address why you’re switching

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can gracefully address this? The reason why I am switching is because I don’t feel like I am learning much out of my positions – not being given much responsibilities, etc…

I’d focus on the positives on why you prefer the other division versus your current one; not what you’re lacking.

Hi, I am wondering when introducing my skill sets and experience in the second paragraph of the cover letter, is it appropriate to use bullet points? e.g. my key skills/experience include: bullet point: A bullet point: B

Yes you can do that, though a lot of times we find that its best to follow our template, unless you’re a very experienced candidate

I worked at a boutique investment bank for an internship and I was wondering how I may explain my low gpa on my cover letter. I would focus on my strengths and what I learned from the position but sooner or later the question of gpa will be addressed either during an interview or sent through email. How would I approach this?

This may come up in interviews and I’d address it then. I am not sure why you had a low GPA. If you had family/personal reasons you can list that. Otherwise if you were taking more advanced courses because you were too ambitious and got a lower GPA as a result of that you can list that too.

I’m applying to various finance and IB positions and my documents will be seen as a package sent through my school. I created my resume in a very similar format to the template on your website, only using .5″ margins. I have the same header layout (with name and personal info) on both my resume and cover letter. My question is regarding holding these .5″ margins on both of my documents to keep a consistent look. I’m just curious as to whether this would be a good or bad idea, or as to whether you think it would even matter.

I haven’t seen the format of your resume so I am not 100% sure. 0.5 margins maybe a bit crowded but depending on your content it can be doable. If you have lots of solid content, yes this is applicable. Otherwise, I’d shorten your content and go for the standard margins

Hey, this template isn’t just for investment banking right, it can be used for targeting internships in accounting as well? Same with the resume template?

If you change the paragraph from why IB to why accounting, you can use this template. The resume template is tailored to IB though you can use it for Accounting roles too

I graduated from a top school 1.5 years ago, but unfortunately ended up at a not so impressive bank. What’s the best way to name drop the school in the cover letter? Thanks.

First paragraph – you can just say that you are working at XX bank and have recently graduated from XX school

I am applying to three different divisions in the same investment bank that are different in nature (2 back office and one front) and there is only one cover letter for all three that asks you to describe your motivation for each. Since they are different positions, how do I go about this?

I’d be generic and focus on why finance and how you can make an impact to the firm

How about adding the recommendations from the previous job? Is it worth? Should we add it even if they do not menton about that?

You can provide recommendations upon request

Hi, I am wondering whether I need to include a signature in my cover letter for online application. If so, should I just insert it in the pdf document or scan a paper copy of the cover letter? Thanks!

Yes you can include it. Both works.

Yo’re welcome.

Just a follow-up question: I am applying for summer analyst position at CS, and they only allow one application per applicant. Should I use the same cover letter during campus recruiting (addressed to an alumnus) for my online application? Since I am applying to CS HK as well, I am wondering whether I should use a slightly different cover letter.

Sure I think this shouldn’t be a problem. Yes the HK one should be slightly different – i.e. why HK, why Chinese market

Dear M&I staff,

I’m a master student in Europe. I’m currently attending a Master of Science in Finance after completing a bachelor in business administration. Do you have any specific suggestion about my first paragraph? Also, if I can’t find the name of the recruiter, how can I start the letter? I was thinking about expressions such as “To whom it may concern…”; does this work?

Thanks in advance

Yes it does, or Dear Sir/Madam.

First paragraph – I’d follow the template on the post

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is [Insert Name] and I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Finance at [Insert University Name] where I have also been awarded a Bachelor of Science with honors. How would this sound?

Sounds good, though I’d probably just use My name is [Insert Name] and I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Finance at [Insert University].

Hey Brian/Nicole, Thank you guys so much for this website. I spend days on it reading your articles! lol I’m just wondering when I do the name-dropping on the cover letter, is it alright to put the company names in bold? or is that too much? What do you guys think?

Thank you for your kind comment. You should credit Brian for his hard work! I don’t think its necessary to bold company names. I think its probably better to leave it “unbolded.”

i a lil older i was originally an engineering major, left school (didnt graduate), started working as a stock broker, then mortgage broker, and then more sales background. I then re entered school and graduated with a degree with finance, gpa not so high bc of past screw ups, but now looking to break into finance. I love finance, and cant figure out how to convey that in a cover letter. can you help?

Focus on the impact you’ve made in your previous roles. Then say while you’ve enjoyed and learn a lot from your previous experience, you realize [Talk about your IB spark here], and that you realize you wanted to pursue IB because [XYZ]. Then say that you’re confident that your [XX] skills can be an invaluable asset to the firm (something around those lines)

If I’m applying for a job based on an online job posting (LinkedIn / other job board), then in my 1st paragraph, ho would you address the section about how you learnt about the job / company ?

(I find it awkward to say that “I recently learnt about your company through your online ad on abc.com”)

ThankX Guys!

I recently learned about your company from [a contact/an event/an online job posting] and was impressed with what I learned of [List what you’re impressed with here]

Hey Nicole,

Thanks for your reply.

I’m finding it awkward to write “I learnt about your company from an online job posting” bcoz I feel it sounds like I did not know them before seeing the posting (which, in turn, sounds insulting for the company).

Instead, can I just say “I recently found out about the XYZ position at ABC Capital & want to apply for this position”?

Sure, this sounds good. No, this isn’t insulting – this is why companies post on job postings! It is best if you have already spoken to people at the company and use that as an intro. line.

please i am an undergraduate in my final year with just one internship experience and one teaching experience, that was before i gained admission. i want to know if it is appropriate to include my date of birth and list of referees; i will also like to know the maximum length of resume ideal for some one in my category. Thanks.

Please see https://mergersandinquisitions.com/free-investment-banking-resume-template/

No, I don’t think you need to include your DOB and list of referees. Maximum length of your resume would be 1 page.

Hi Brian, thanks so much for creating this awesome website.

I’m a year one student in a non-target uni in HK who’s interested in IBD. My first semester GPA wasn’t stellar because I had a hard time balancing family issues and adapting to a new country.

I’m currently applying for several pre-internship programs, and am afraid my less-than-3 GPA will cause my immediate disqualification. What can I do?

I’ve had several leadership positions in high school, am great at networking/socializing, and speak a few languages. But my first semester GPA is lackluster. Please advice, should I explain in my cover letter?

Best Regards, Sara

Yes, your GPA is likely to be alarming to interviewers. Sure, you can explain the above on your cover letter, though I would focus on your strengths and what you have achieved first. You want to draw people to your strengths. I’d also try as hard as you can to boost your GPA next semester and craft a very good explanation when you land interviews.

Hey there M&I,

Firstly, I’d just like to thank you for this template – it truly is priceless.

I’m from Melbourne, Australia and I’d like to break into Investment Banking for a long-term career.

I’m starting a Bachelor of Commerce degree at The University of Melbourne and I was thinking of double majoring in Accounting and Finance.

I feel as though this will put me in a good position for Investment Banking and will also provide me with a few alternatives should I be unable to make it to Investment Banking or decide that it’s not for me.

Sorry about the long-winded explanation, I guess what I want to know is whether or not the double major sequence I have suggested is desirable in Investment Banking or there is a better sequence you could suggest to me.

Also, what do you have to say about people getting summer internships after first year? I haven’t heard of anyone doing this before, but have you? How should I go about trying to increase my chances?

Thanks very much!

Thanks. Yes, that sequence is fine but I don’t know if it would give you an advantage. From what I understand about Australia, I believe most people who get into banking there actually have dual Commerce and Law degrees.

Summer internships after year 1: very tough. You’d have to aim for small local firms. And probably not common in Australia.

I’m applying to a Private Equity internship and I completed the BIWS fundamental and advanced modeling courses. Should I talk about this in my cover letter? Right now I just have a general statement about it and that I worked on some case studies.I was wondering whether I should go more in depth and mention a specific case? Leave it as a general statement? Or take it out completely

Yes, definitely mention the specific case studies as that makes it sound much better than just saying you completed the courses.

Document for listing them on your resume (you may be able to apply parts of this):

http://biws-support.s3.amazonaws.com/BIWS-Courses-Resume-Instructions.docx

Thanks Brian,

I took your advice and mentioned specific case studies.

One other thing, currently in the second paragraph of my cover letter I talk a lot about my internship experience, but this internship doesn’t have to do with IB, its accounting and sales for a hotel. I did spin it in away that says that I picked up skills from this internship that I can apply to IB, PE, etc. Should I focus less about this and more on the BIWS courses, and projects in school I worked on since it doesn’t directly relate?

I would probably do an even split in that case.

I found this guide and template very useful. I was wondering, though, if I were to apply online to bb investment banks that didn’t make any meeting at my university and require a cover letter, what should I write in: “I was recently introduced to your firm via [Friend / Contact at Firm / Presentation] and was impressed with what I learned of [Your Culture / Working Environment / Bank-Specific Info.].”

I know about these banks just because of their fame, so should I just skip this part?

Sure though having this line may be more convincing.

I am now applying to Société Générale M&A summer internship in Power, Utilities and Infrastructure department. I tried to find some alumni working there. I could manage to find one via linkedin; however, i cannot contact him because he sets a permission. I wonder what should i write on cover letter if i can’t find a contact in SG?

Dear Sir or Madam / [Name of Recruiter if you have it]

Dear Nicole,

I feel sorry not to explain it clearly.

Quoted from the IB template: ” I was recently introduced to your firm via [Friend / Contact at Firm / Presentation] and was impressed with what I learned of [Your Culture / Working Environment / Bank-Specific Info.] ”

I searched SG career website but they mention the work environment and culture very vague. I tried to find an alumni working there; however,the alumni office hasn’t replied me yet.Even worse, SG hasn’t held any campaign event at our uni. At present moment,I can’t manage to get a contact at firm. I did search they have an aggressive expansion plan for the department 2 years ago. Should I mention this instead?

Much thanks

It would help if you have spoken to a contact who is working/worked there or attending one of their info sessions. Otherwise, yes it may be useful to mention of their department’s aggressive expansion plan.

Hi! What if I have not attended any presentation and I do not know nobody that work in a specific bank? Can I still apply online? I am applying to investment banks in London and I know that they recruit using the online application process.

Yes you can still apply online.

Hi Nicole/Brian,

Adding to what Paolo has mentioned, what about the cover letter? Since we do not know anybody that work in that specific bank (nor attend any presentations), who do we address the cover letter to? (Or is it better not to submit one if the cover letter is optional?)

Secondly, is it alright to say that we found out about the job/vacancy by browsing through their website?

Again, thanks for your continuous kind support.

Regards, Rifki

Quoting from the article:

“If you don’t have this information you can just list the company name and address and use a ‘Dear Sir or Madam” greeting.’ ”

If it’s optional, I wouldn’t even bother submitting it especially if you don’t know anyone there. Yes saying you saw it through a website is OK.

Thanks Brian!

I’ve just graduated in Finance and Accounting but wasn’t able to get summer internships in my 2nd year. What else can I write in section 2+3? I’ve got work experience in wholesale, an accounting firm and an insight day at a Merrill Lynch which were just before I started uni, i.e. 2009 can I still use these in this section or would it look bad since they are old?

I’ve taken part in many trading simulation games in teams etc which show all the skills you have mentioned in the paragraph, would it be acceptable to use this as an example even though it was a simulation?

They wouldn’t look bad but not exactly current. Ideal if you have recent experiences to list. Otherwise you can list them

Yes – show the returns you generated

Thanks for the useful resources.

Last year, I hadn’t as much insight and experience with IB (I was coming from law and bearely started to study a MSc-Finance in a good school). I still got two interviews with a nice boutique and a bb. I got reject at the final round.

This year I’m applying again (I’m currently doing an off cycle M&A internship)

1. Shall I mention I applied last year, and why I like the firm so much? or shall I just make a regular cover letter and avoid to mention I applied a year ago?

2. How many interviews should I go through to secure an offer, or what is the average? I’d like to know whether I am doing something bad or just if it is because you need to go through several interviews to finally get something?

3. What would shall I do with the current market if I secure another off cycle internship or a full time M&A position in a leading law firm? (I prefer finance than law, but I m getting old and need to start working as oppose to “intern”)

Sorry for this long thread, thanks for your help.

1. you can mention it if you want though I don’t think its necessary 2. hard to say – depends on you. people generally go through more than several rounds of interviews to land an offer 3. network a lot

Last year, I hadn’t as much insight and experience in IB profiles (I am coming from law and bearely started to study a MSc-Finance in a good school). I still got two interviews with a nice boutique and a bb. I got reject at the final round.

— Shall I mention I applied last year, and why I like the firm so much

Hi, I have an upcoming interview with a bulge bracket bank in Capital Markets. I submitted my resume about 1 month ago and got selected recently. My resume was updated recently and is much much more in depth than before. Should I reach out to the recruiters and ask if I can have them replace the resume on the website with my new one? Or would this be frowned upon? Thanks!

Yes, please do that!

Thank you for your tips, they are great!I have two questions:

1. All templates I find are about experienced people. If you are a person with no experience (or with a very short experience in a different area), how can you turn this fact around and convince someone to hire you? Should you really emphasize your academic background?

2. I started a PhD but early on I realized that it was not the right fit for me. How and where should I mention this? Should I explain why? I am afraid that no one will be considering me for a job position because I am quitting the PhD…

Thank you so much!

1. There are templates for inexperienced hires – pls look for the one for undergraduates. If you have NO work experience at all, I’d suggest you to emphasize your academic background and extracurricular activities. 2. Explain this on your cover letter & interviews. No, it shouldn’t be a problem if you know how to spin your story. Most jobs don’t require a PhD these days anyway.

Hi, Thank you very much for uploading the template.

But what if I don’t have background info or experiences specific to the investment banking industry even though I have banking experience in a different field such as Loan Officer? Will that matter?

I will be considered as a fresher in that case how can I convince anybody about changing my profession to investment banker or wealth management analyst from this profession?

And can you also please help me with a sample C.V for freshers in Invest and Wealth Management.

I do have an MBA in finance.

You’ll have to figure out why IB and pitch your story well.

You can use the same template for Wealth Management – just focus on your research and investment experience

I’m planning to use this short cover letter as my email body. My question : “Should I opt for a longer version with more elaborate details?”

— Dear Sir/ Madam [or the recruiter’s name],

I would like to express my interest in a position as [position] for [company].

As you may perceive from my summary, I’ve been leveraging my consulting and technical skills from my previous career as an IT Consultant to break into the finance industry. Thus, I’m adapt at translating clients’ problems into a satisfying, concrete solution. I also possess good leadership skill and can work well with others. [ + other skills the company valued / demanded for this specific job]

I would love to expand my career with your company, and am confident that I would be a beneficial addition to your company. I have enclosed my resume and I would welcome a personal interview at your earliest convenience.

[Name and contact address] —

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I’d keep your email short, sweet and succinct. Anything longer than that is too much.

Hello, my question is regarding the introduction —

“Paragraph 1: Introduction This is where you explain who you are, where you’re currently working or studying, and how you found the bank that you’re applying to.”

I have nearly 2 years of consulting experience, but have recently been laid off. Since I’m no longer working or studying, how would I approach this as far as introduction?

Just introduce yourself and tell interviewer you’ve been laid off due to the lackluster economy – they should understand. Tell them what you’ve been doing with your free time i.e. traveling, studying, picking up a new hobby, etc. As long as you sound like you are doing something productive/interesting with your life, you should be fine

Errors – If there are minor typos that most people don’t see at a glance, are you in the clear? I’m not sure if people read cover letters that closely especially during OCR when hundreds of people apply at the same time from one school.

It depends on whether your reviewer is attentive to details or not!

I don’t exactly have a stellar GPA, so I was wondering if the cover letter is where I would explain myself? Or is it better to just not mention it? Thanks! And love this website!

It depends why you don’t have a stellar GPA – if you have a legit reason i.e. you had sick parents you needed to take care of etc I think it would help

Thanks for the article. I just had a quick question. I was originally interested in marketing and completed two internships my freshman year undergraduate (currently a junior applying for summer analyst positions). Since then I have had several research internships. Would it be a good idea what lead my decision to go from marketing to banking in my cover letter?

Any input would be awesome. Thanks!

Yes I would explain why you changed your mind in your cover letter and point to a specific person/incident

I am studying at a “frontier market” university and am currently an exchange student at a highly ranked (Top 100) universities.

Should I use an exchange studies university in a cover letter instead of a university where I’ll be graduating and mention it accordingly (I am currently an exchange student at…)?

No, I think you should still use the university where you’ll be graduating

ha frontier market. I am putting where I am an exchange student with the frontier school I attend.

I’m applying for an internship in the US, but I’m studying in Germany. Should I mention that my University/Business School, is one of the best business schools in Germany?

Thank you for your answer!

I don’t think it makes a difference. You could try but reviewers might not necessarily care too much re that

Hi, thanks so much for this article. I am writing a cover letter to J.P. Morgan, but I cannot find the office address in HK, shall I omit it at the top?

But what if I don’t have background info or experiences specific to the investment banking industry? does that automatically rule me out as a candidate even though they specify that finance background is not necessary?

Could I simply emphasize my skills and abilities that I have gained through other experiences such as working for an NGO?

Not necessarily.

just one other quick question. At Goldman Sachs, one could apply for internship in several divisions and they have asked motivation for applying to different divisions. Would it make this impression that you yourself do not know what division is right for you when you make applications for several divisions? Thanks a lot.

With Goldman, yes. However, in a way you still need to hedge your bets because one division’s MD might like you and the other’s MD might not.

I’ve shown my CL to the Head of HR in my firm and he adviced me to write something “catching” as a title between the date and “Dear Sir or Madam,..”. So do you think it would be okay to write there: “Why I am a good fit for taking part in your spring programme”? Or does this sound too arrogant?

Thanks a lot! Jevira

This sounds generic.

Have you got another idea or just put there: Spring Programme at XYZ. :D Thanks, and sorry for the time you lose with all my questions..

Come up w something original he said right? I don’t know if the above is original. You should just ask him what his suggestions are. I’d love to help but I need to think through it and have to look at your CL; wouldn’t be fair to other customers who are paying for our CL editing service.

Thanks very much for your helps. I have a few questions and I would greatly appreciate if you could help me. I am doing a double degree master in Complex Systems Science (A multidisciplinary field), so I have studied one year at Warwick, UK and now I am studying the second year at Ecole Polytechnique, France. 1) Should I mention anywhere that I have had a multidisciplinary approach since in my field I have to interact with people with completely diverse backgrounds, from Physics and math to economics and Philosophy? 2)I have got a full scholarship from European commission for my studies. How should I mention it? 3)I think many people are not very acquainted with the structure of such joint programs between two universities in two different countries. In my CV, shall I mention it as two masters and not saying that they are in fact joint? 4)My master thesis has been about financial contagion and I do not have ant job or internship opportunity, so how should I write the second paragraph?

Thanks in advance and sorry it becomes too long. Mostafa

1. Not sure how you will be wording this one. Difficult to use this to stand out 2. Yes 3. No, put joint but you can separate the two in diff lines 4. Can’t help you on this one.

Hi, it’s me again. Does this template also apply for online applications where you have to upload the cover letter? Or can my personal adress, the banks adress and the date can be removed withous replacement?

Yes these templates apply to online apps too

No, I don’t think you should remove the details you mentioned

I’m a first year university student in the UK, and looking to apply to a spring division internship at Goldman Sachs (and probably many others in the near future).

I have litte actual experience in terms of working for firms, but have competed in many stock market challenges/competitions, and I have come to university a year early, having been moved up a year.

Clearly with my lack of experience, I will need to slightly change the template you have provided above; how would you recommend I do this?

Many thanks.

I nearly asked the same thing – but my question didn’t even appear.

You should elaborate on your stock market challenges/competitions

Is it okay to write under my asset mgmnt firm that I “increased producivity of checking several entries by about 60%”? It was an excelsheet with about 120 rows in which I had to find the entries which were more than once in these rows. (it was an excel formula I made for that).

Or does it sound ridiculous?

Oh, its in the CV, not the cover letter.

yes it does sounds a bit ridiculous and monotonous. Sorry.

So I’ll delete :) Thanks. Its very difficult to boost your CV.

btw: may I send you, Nicole, my CV that you could look over that? You see my email adress, i guess. I’d really appreciate it! Thinking, that it sounds “too” ridiculous…

We’re not offering resume editing at the moment but will be introducing it shortly, so you can watch for that announcement.

What does “shortly” mean? Within this month? And will it be free? If not, how much would it cost? If you’re launching in the very near future, please reserve one place for me :-).

Haha yes but not free. Sure.

Thanks for your work!

My question is that if I apply for some regions where original language is not English i.e. China, Japan, will it be ok I send a 2-page resume/cl with one in English and another Chinese/Japanese/whatever? or seperately in 2 .pdfs?

Thanks again

No. Not necessary. Just send a one-page resume in English

If bilingual required?

No still submit one pager unless they ask

Thanks Nicole.

Another not-related question, do you think that a 4-month full time internship in PE department of commercial banks, say, standard chartered, strong enough to pass the summer/FT online selection? prior to that i had internship in big-4. a senior in university and will pursue a finance master degree right after. thanks

Should do but again it depends on what position you are interviewing for and which division you are looking at. Also depends on who is screening you..However, I believe your experience should suffice

Do you think sending a cover letter with a CV directly to the Head of investment banking dpt is inappropriate? The bank is hiring (according to website). Sent my CV to HR a month ago, no responce.

Sure, just send him a brief email and your resume. No point in sending a cover letter – address what you need to say briefly on the email

What is your opinion about listing client names. Obviously working in a deal situation it would not be acceptable to mention a client name and the transaction itself if this is not public but in my case I have done a lot of work which didn’t result in deals however I am quite keen on mentionning the clients as I have worked with many PE and large Corporate clients. Is it fine to write: “selected list of clients: A,B,C,D,E…

Why would you want to use names there? Just for more credibility when you discuss deals? I would still avoid using names if possible for dead deals. You can still mention that you’ve worked with some big PE names such as X but I wouldn’t go into details; pretend deal is still ongoing even if it died, and leave out the names.

https://mergersandinquisitions.com/why-investment-banking-deals-fail/

You do such a great service for idiots like me!Keep it up.

Hi! For my motivation letter, which the company requires on their application website, shouldn’t I just say I like money and that I want to work for their company because I would like to earn a lot? Or should I go with the “It’s my passion… I like to be challenged… I’d like to contribute innovations for the growth of the business…” bits? Thank you!

applications for bulge brackets. thanks!

Um #2, always

Okay, thanks!

I am beginning to write my cover letter for a number of boutique banks in the fall to apply for analyst positions. What do I if I don’t know anyone at the firm and can’t namedrop a presentation I attended (1st paragraph)? Can I just say

“My name is John Smith, and I am a recent graduate of Fordham University (Class of 2011). I am interested in applying for an analyst position at XYZ firm”

Is there anything else I can add to the first paragraph to flesh out my cover letter a bit? Thank you very much and keep up the good work!

That’s fine

Hi, I recently switched to a major in economics from engineering. The engineering curriculum at my school is very challenging and had a negative impact on my GPA over my freshman/sophomore year (3.4 currently). Would it be appropriate to list that I was previously an engineering major on my resume to reflect the challenging curriculum I was previously engaged in?

Yes that’s a good idea or at least reflect coursework on there

Thanks for the cover letter and resume templates, they’re really helpful. A friend of mine used your templates to score a summer internship in corporate finance advisory at a big four company in london and I was able to score a SA offer in the IBD of a BB firm in frankfurt, germany. we’re both germans btw.

depending on how fulltime recruiting develops we should set something up for a “breaking into IB in europe”-feature if you see the demand for this. So long, Nick

Congrats, interesting to hear that it works in other countries. There are a few articles on Europe (UK, Germany, Italy) already but could use more if you have a unique angle.

A company was recruiting at my college, and all they asked for was for us to send them a 1-page motivational letter? Any idea what I can include in the letter? Eg, why me? Why should I get the offer? Why should I get the bursary? My strengths and weaknesses?

They don’t want a cv, they just want a motivational letter. I’m not too sure what to include in it. Any help would be appreciated.

I would just follow the cover letter template here and expand on it a bit… don’t go into strengths/weaknesses, just follow the outline above.

Thanks Brian for putting up such a nice website and sharing valuable stuff with us aspirers. I might be using a wrong space to look for your suggestions anyways here I go. My challenge here is to make a successful transition from a business development/ strategy side (prior 3 yrs of exp. with a commercial bank) to IB. Being done an MBA recently from a decent B school in UK where I gained the required skill sets for IB, I was targeting at BB which doesnot seems to be working out my way so I m considering the small boutiques as well to start with. I thought a good cover letter can win recruiters attention in my case. Any advice on the approach I should carry to enter into IB & put my prior experience into use to encash it is highly appreciated.

If you do a search for “Networking” and “Cold-calling” you’ll see the most helpful advice – cover letters do not make a difference, focus on your cold-calling and networking skills and do not give up until you try hundreds of places.

is it okay to put stuff on your resume you don’t mention in your cover letter? or should your resume ONLY include stuff from your cover letter?

It’s fine, you can’t even mention everything in the cover letter anyway

In the 3rd paragraph you explained that we should say something along the lines of “I am impressed by your track record of clients and transactions at Goldman Stanley…”

This is obviously a great way to tailor your cover letter, but I was wondering where you find out information of transactions. I’ve found some doing a simple Google search, but is there an independent authority that tracks all of these? As well, how do you know which transactions to mention? The ones that the firm is particularly proud of or ground-breaking?

Use the WSJ Deal Journal or NYT Dealbook to find recent deals they’ve done, anything sizable or significant e.g. the Goldman / Facebook deal

I realized I made a grammatical error in the last paragraph of my cover letter today. I never noticed it before and I’ve sent it to three places already, one BB and two boutiques. Big deal?

No, no one reads cover letters anyway

Firstly thanks for the website, it’s great.

My question is: in most summer IB internships, they ask several cover letter-like questions like “In 250 words max, describe your career aspirations” etc., however there’s usually an option to upload a cover letter as well. Would you advise keeping it concise or would you include examples of IB-related things, adapted to the question, despite the fact you’re effectively rewriting the cover letter?

This is in UK by the way.

Thanks in advance.

Just keep it concise – competency questions are not a big factor vs. CV/interviews.

Thank you for the template.

Quick questions:

Should we use the email format for a doostang message as well?

No keep it way shorter like 2-3 sentences maybe

Dear M&I,

I guess I’m the most complicated case here. I’m currently doing BA in Art History and Italian at UCL, London, now doing my Erasmus in Italy. However, last summer I worked as a M&A Summer Analyst in a small boutique bank specializing in cross-border M&As. There, I started from scratch, with no finance experience/knowledge, but learnt a lot and had lots of hands-on experience, since the company was really small and I was involved in literally everything.

I’m applying for summer internships in large investment banks and about to start writing my cover letters. I assume I must explain myself for studying Art History & Italian and my out-of-the-blue interest in I-Banking, plus use my last summer experience as a selling point. Any other specific hints?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Well, why did you work there? What made you interested in doing that? Reference a specific person or if nothing comes to mind use something from the news or your background e.g. I was always really interested in Italy and the UK and got interested in finance as a result of [xx] so I wanted to explore cross-border M&A and leverage my skills/interests like that.

Hi, I have completed my masters in Drug Discovery and Translational Biology. But currently I am planning to apply for any investment banking positions. As I don’t have any background or experience in the given field, i don’t what to write in the 2nd and 3rd paragraph.

Can you please help me,

Talk about the analytical skills you gained and how they apply, or the leadership / project management skills or anything else like that from previous internships or school.

Hey guys, this letter just repeats what is inside the Resume anyway. What is the additional value for the potential employer to read this kind of resume? There are no additional information. Wouldnt it be better to wite about your motiviation, your personal (not work) background, and reasons to chose this department/bank ? Or would it harm to do this?

Furthermore, the letter includes the information about resume enclosure 3(!) times. I like this site but this template really does not look too promising for me!

So don’t use it? The point is that no one reads cover letters, but in case they do, you don’t want to screw up by saying anything controversial or anything that could be misinterpreted.

If you start writing your personal story, bankers might mistake it for a soap opera script rather than cover letter.

Cover letters have no value at all, but just like grades if you screw one up it could hurt you. This template is intentionally boring and gives very little information because otherwise people would download this and insert pictures of unicorns, write about their past relationships, and other nonsense.

Great comment, made me laugh

Do you recommend being creative in cover letters, ie varying sentence structure, using big/expressive words ?

No, creativity is for marketing or poetry – this is finance.

I’m a US student currently at Oxford for my junior year. All the applications for the UK offices are online. I know you have already answered the question before, but I don’t want to make any mistakes. So just to clarify:

1. Omit the physical addresses, mine as well as theirs. 2. Omit the recruiters name leaving only the name of the bank 3. Omit the signature 4. Do not enclose resume since that is a separate attachment

Thanks so much in advance.

Hie ,i realy luv ur advice!.,Im doing a Bsc in Financial modelling with UNISA.is this a good start for a career in investment banking?.i finish next year, could u tell wat i can do to make myself marketable after graduation.

Honestly, I’m not sure on that one because I’m not familiar with the school. If a lot of banks recruit there, it’s fine; otherwise you should transfer elsewhere.

Its University of SouthAfrica ,im also staying in Africa.is there something i could do 2 giv me an added advantage over my coleagues?.

This article has some tips on South Africa: https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-south-africa/

Hey M&I,

What’s your take on headlines (i.e.Application for IB Analyst) and postscripts? I’ve heard from many friends to add them on because they will grab attention. But then again, they aren’t going into banking.

Thanks, Mack

Not applicable for banking

i will be applying to merrill lynch. In the template, you stated many of the internship and job roles that provide the skills required to be a great investment analyst. However, i was just wondering, if i have a perfect gpa, perfect sats score, how can i use these to my advantage in my cover letter?

You can’t really, just list them and be done with it – no point in trying to emphasize those because there’s not much to say and they speak for themselves.

Hi, If the firm’s online application says “you can only attach one file: this should contain your CV, cover letter and any other materials relevant for the position”, does it mean in the word document file I upload, the 1st page is resume, the 2nd page is cover letter and the 3rd is transcript? It looks pretty strange because the document is gonna be 4-5 pages. But since they only allow me to upload one file, I’m not sure what to do with the cover letter and the transcript. Or can I just omit them and attach the resume document only? Thanks a ton.

I would not send the transcript unless they specifically ask for it, otherwise just create a 2-page file with your cover letter and CV

First of all, great website! It’s really helpful and I think you guys are doing a great job.

I am visually impaired, however I have always followed regular education and have performed like anybody else (also in jobs, at associations, etc). Many banks stress their emphasis on diversity and now I am wondering if I should include this fact in my cover letter / online application? On the one hand I feel it would fit great into the whole “what are you most proud of”-question, but I am also scared it might work against me?

Please note I’m applying London, not NY. (I think European regulations might differ from US-ones). I go to a European target school.

Personally I would not list it on your CV / cover letter / online application, but maybe bring it up in an interview if it fits in naturally.

Hi Brian, I was beginning to start writing coverletters–atleast get them going, but I’m confused on where to find the unique strength of each BB, which makes it diff from its competitions. One of the things which makes a good cover letter is that its specific to a firm, but I dont know how to find such information. For instance, I was looking at MS, Barclays website in the section ,’Why MS’ or ‘Why Barclays’, and it seems every firm had the same agenda. We are committed to diversity , team player etc. Obv I need to go into more depth than this. Brian where I can find information specific to each BB on their website? I would really appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

You should read the WSJ Deal Journal blog and look for recent mentions of the bank and what deals they have been advising on – then reference those in the cover letter.

Hi Brian, I’m in a similar position as the above poster. For companies without a personal contact I want to talk about a specific deal they’ve advised on.

I’m just unsure how to formulate such a sentence without encouraging diffcult to answer questions.

E.g. I was thinking of something along the lines of “I was impressed with your company’s role as target advisor in the $X bn acquisition of companyX”

I’m afraid this would result in the question of ‘why were you impressed?’.

Any chance you could give a sample sentence of how you would talk about a deal in a cover letter?

P.S.: Keep up the good work with BIWS, love the constant updates. Highly recommended, well worth the money!

You can say something like “I recently saw news of your role as an advisor in the $X bn acquisition of company X and was immediately interested, since I’ve followed the [X] industry for awhile.”

Hi, I graduated from a target, went to medical school after graduation, but left after two years to pursue a career in investment banking. I now work at a small investment research firm, and I am applying for 2011 analyst class.

How much “explanation” do I need to do in cover letter? Or should I just focus on my job experience and modeling skills?

I don’t think you need much explanation since you quit medicine after 2 years, so just focus on other aspects

Is the physical address at the top still necessary if you’re attaching the cover letter as a .PDF in an online form?

I can’t thank you enough for all these info Brian,

In all honesty, I did have a sudden family death last year for which I had to leave school in the middle of the semester and come back after about two weeks. I got in a lot of psychological stress and uncertainty and I ended up messing up my grades significantly for two semesters. However, I did improve last semester with a full workload (maximum number of credit hours allowed at my school + advanced level classes) and got near 4.0.

How should I mention this on my cover letter? Also, how would I do that on an electronic cover letter which should only be about 4-5 sentences?

Thanks again in advance.

I would just say you had a health issue and had trouble balancing everything, but quickly learned your lesson and received perfect grades right after that. Giving a family excuse sounds fake so I would probably not write that even if it’s true.

Thanks but the thing is that wasn’t my freshman year. It was my sophomore year. So I did well my freshman year than poorly as a sophomore and improved as a junior.

Also, what about the electronic cover letter? Would it be ok to take up some sentences to explain my situation?

Just say you did poorly “at first” and then improved and have perfect grades this past year. I would still keep your cover letter short as no one has time to read a lot.

I would appreciate your advice on this.

I’m a senior at a target school in Far East Asia. It’s really tough to get into a BB here and I’m thinking of visiting each BB and handing them my resume and cover letter to ask for a junior equity research position. I doubt I’d be able to personally meet the head of research or a senior analyst without prior arrangement, so I’d be probably handing my resume and cover letter to HR. I need to stand out but I have no equity research internship experience. What I do have, is a equity S&T internship at a BB and a RA (intern) at a top-tier mgmt. consulting firm. Plus experience managing a personal portfolio and trading derivatives in notable amounts.

Now, my problem is this. I made it to the final round for a junior ER position at GS but unfortunately was not given the offer (the offer ended up going to someone with some full-time experience in ER; had I been competing against fresh-out-of-college candidates would the result have been different?). I would like to mention this in my resume or cover letter hoping that it would serve as evidence that I’m really interested in ER and that I have the potential. But I’m worried that this might send the wrong signal. Who would like to accept a candidate knowing that he was unsuccessful elsewhere? I’m worried that I might appear arrogant in their eyes. I’m thinking of visiting CS, UBS, Citi, MS, ML, JPM, etc. In ER here in Asia, they’re at least at par with GS if not better…

I realize that answer to this may depend on the culture here. Please advise. Thanks.

I would not mention an unsuccessful interview with GS for the reasons you mentioned.

Hi Brian! Long time reader, first time poster. I’m currently a rising senior at a target school on the tale end of my internship at a strong boutique bank in New York. I only have one week left, and I’ve been given zero modeling opportunities. I’m very disappointed. I figure that I should ask for some modeling work. But I have some questions.

1) Does it reflect poorly in interviews for full-time that I didn’t do any modeling? Should I “stretch” the truth?

2) Do you have any other relevant comments about doing a junior year internship and not getting any modeling experience? I’m concerned with how this hurts my full-time credentials, how this might affect my resume, and how overall my standing will decrease relative to my peers because I didn’t get modeling experience.

It’s quite common not to have modeling experience… just say you did research and assisted with potential clients / potential buy-side deals but don’t say anything about modeling. Most people do no modeling in their internships so it doesn’t matter much anyway.

What’s a better part-time fall internship, BB PWM or no-name boutique (I mean no name.. say 3-7 employees)?

Both are about the same, but the boutique is better for your resume because you can write “Investment Banking Analyst”

off-topic question:

I often read though it’s June interviews are still taking place.

When do banks in America/Europe begin accepting applications for: 1) summer interns (analyst) 2) full-time (analyst/associate)

Is the end of a summer intern equivalent to the end of the full-time offer application period? Because ppl. might are offered a full-time offer after their summer intern.

To put it in a nutshell: When is recruting/application time generally?

Summer interns are December/January, full-time is August-September.

And when do you start as summer intern, when u successfully applied in dec/jan or successfully applied for aug/sep?

Summer interns usually start in June

This post reminded me of the classic cover letter to Lehman that was on Leveraged Sellout. I tried to see it, but it appears LSO has shutdown. Is this the case? Are the days of re-reading the same, hilarious stories over?

I don’t know because it’s not my site, but yes it appears to be down. Maybe check the google cache.

Thanks for the release of this article, much appreciated.

Curious on an unrelated question though, when you try to develop relationships with bankers and do the initial outreach to set up an information interview, how far ahead should you plan? I mean should you give them dates within the week you email, 2 weeks ahead, etc?

Also, for specific time slots you ask for, what time is it usually best for a banker to talk to someone about that? Like early morning, late night, right after lunch, etc?

Thanks again, H

Give dates within the next 1.5 weeks so they have a few days to respond. Usually right after lunch is best for bankers, for traders you have to call after market hours are over

Hi Brian, Thanks for the website, I have a quick question for you. I am in one of the new Masters in Finance/Management programs. I am at a target school for undergrad/MBA (think UNC/Duke/UVA). However, since the program is very new, banks don’t know much about it. Aditionally, although I have had some Wealth Management internship experience, I don’t have an I-Banking internship.

Given my situation, do you think it is better for me (in terms of B-school and exit opportunities) to go into a top ten consulting firm (excluding MBB) or try for mid-market/boutique investment banks (My school is very good in placing people in consulting), assuming I don’t get into a BB. I ultimately want to end up in PE or HF (preferably PE).

Thanks for your help.

I would still say banking because consulting –> PE is very tough unless you go for firms like Golden Gate Capital that hire a lot of ex-consultants… and even there they’re mostly from MBB. Much easier to go from smaller bank –> PE than to go from smaller consulting firm –> PE.

Should I mention the fact that my company is in F500? It’s know in Europe, but I doubt it is known in North America.

You can add it in, yes

I don’t have any inside experience about the recruiting process, but a friend/colleague of mine (BB) mentioned that while recruiting for regional european branches/off-cycle internships often look at the cover letter, they almost never do it for summer positions in London.

Everyone seems to have different stories re: cover letters, but they are certainly less important than resumes, networking, or interviews

What about for laterals?

Same template applies but talk about how your previous banking experience applies to the new position you’re applying for

I appreciate your template for its compactness, I understand I shouldnt overestimate the competition, but Im trying to sell myself to the recruiter, so simply mentioning my skills and experience will not differentiate me from the “competitor”…?

I personally dont have so much experience in the finance realm (although Im genuinely interested in it and have managed to get a ten day insight into a BB) so do you encourage mentioning transferable skills I acquired through extra curricular activities, ie football = teamwork, etc, etc…

Cover letters are not really the place to “sell” yourself, which is why this is short… much safer to keep it boring and then do the selling via networking / interviews.

I know this is supposed to be basic, but the first paragraph is pretty useless. Your name, university/job position and contact details will already be on your resume so what’s the point in wasting time and space repeating the details on your cover letter. Also, saying “I am interested in pursuing an [Investment Banking Analyst / Associate] position at your firm” is also somewhat redundant, since the recruiter knows what position you’re applying for.

The template is good as a starting point, but on the off chance someone actually does read your cover letter, I would try to do a lot more than just make redundant statements.

This template is for both email and traditional letters… and in email it’s certainly not redundant. Even with traditional letters you are introducing new information by giving the name of the person you met at their firm as well as your major / where you’re working more specifically.

so do you expect the same stats as what you have written for the resume template? A given population, and a limited percentage will download it, and even a limited percentage will copy it word for word?

Cheers, thanks for all the great info!

In the grand scheme of things, yes – online a lot of people use these templates but most people who apply to banks do not use them.

I’m currently a rising junior at a semi target looking to be a SA next summer. This past summer I interned at a discount brokerage firm but had significant responsibilities (they didn’t have to hire an additional broker because of me) and got a lot of experience and face time with clients.

I have an opportunity to apply for a PWM internship for the fall with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Should I continue with my current internship through the fall or would it look better to move to the more distinguished name? I imagine the work would be similar. thanks

Go to the better name

nice template, it sure will be easier for internationals like me to write one now. thanks.

Thank you for the cover letter template.

“If you’re making the body of your email the cover letter, make it even shorter (4-5 sentences total) and cut out the address bits at the top.”

Do you mean we should drastically cut down the entire 4 paragraph cover letter into 4-5 sentences?

Yes, make it so they don’t have to scroll much (if at all) when reading on a Blackberry. 1-2 sentence intro, 2 sentences on your work experience and how it makes you fit for the job and then 1 sentence conclusion.

A nicely put article! Anyway, I like the new template for the website too!

A question that is unrelated to the article:

How far does an interviewer expect you to know in a previous live deal that you were previously involved in as an INTERN? I mean really, to be fair, often times, even if interns are being put into live deals, they are only doing menial works (including me), such as researching, data mining, presentation slides building, etc.

How far of financial analysis would the interviewer expect you to know?

Also, in terms of financial modeling, you’ve said it before that it is the kind of work that everyone should want to be exposed to. But what if the financial modeling is not for a live deal, but for a potential deal? Would it still look better than the menial works in live deals?

Thank you! You have no idea how helpful you have been.

They expect you to know what you indicate you know… so don’t set expectations very high. And yes any type of modeling work is better than menial tasks

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Banking cover letter example

Sometimes it’s bad news when you get a letter from the bank. But let’s talk about writing a letter to the bank. Because if you’re a banker looking for work, you’re going to need to write one — a persuasive banker cover letter.

Even if you’ve already created the perfect resume, you’re only half done. This article will discuss the crucial other half of your banker application, the cover letter. Resume.io is a leading provider of job search advice and tools, with resources that include more than 180 occupation-specific writing guides and corresponding cover letter examples.

The guide you're reading now is backed by a banking cover letter example that you can adapt for your own use.

What we’ll discuss here:

• Why a banking cover letter is a critical component of your job application
• How a cover letter is structured and what each component should contain for optimal impact: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
• Proper design for a banker cover letter and why looks matter
• The psychology of persuasive writing
• Mistakes to avoid
• Tips for writing a banking cover letter when you lack experience

The job outlook for banking

“Banking” is a blanket term for a wide variety of finance-related occupations, everything from investment banking to starting out as a bank teller, but in general bankers are well-paid and in demand. For example, loan officers earned a median annual salary of $63,960 in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. J ob growth of 1% was anticipated for this profession from 2020 through 2030, much slower than the occupational average.

The banking industry grows a bit more complicated every year as new financial products are designed and new technologies develop to manage and move money globally. Banks also have to guard against the increasingly sophisticated cybercrimes that banking activity inevitably attracts. 

The good news is, if you’re a banker seeking a job, all you need are two pieces of paper. Just two! Imagine a business loan application that was so simple.

The two documents you need are an outstanding resume and an irresistible cover letter. The resume covers your employment history, education and skills. But the cover letter is how you get your foot in the door.  

For more ideas, take a look at some other cover letter writing guides and examples in our accounting & finance category listed below. 

• Accounting cover letter sample
• Finance cover letter sample
• Administration cover letter sample
• Bookkeeper cover letter sample
• Finance Assistant cover letter sample
• Finance Manager cover letter sample
• Bank Teller cover letter sample
• Auditor cover letter sample
• Private Equity cover letter sample
• Accounting and finance cover letter sample
• Bank Manager cover letter sample
• Loan Processor cover letter sample
• Accounting Internship cover letter sample
• Financial Advisor cover letter sample
• CFO cover letter sample

Why a banker needs a cover letter

Imagine you’ve been working at a bank for six years and you’d like to be considered for promotion to a new position. Would you just stick your resume under your boss’s door and wait to hear back? 

Hopefully, you would approach your boss in person, ask if s/he had a moment to talk, and then make a brief but persuasive pitch, emphasizing your previous achievements on the job and explaining why you’re ready to embrace some new challenge. Then you can hand the boss your resume. Which of these strategies do you think would be more successful — the resume stuck under the door or the personal approach?

The whole point of a cover letter is to make a personal approach to someone who has the power to offer you a job. While your job application may be subjected to all kinds of electronic filters, ultimately you’ll need a human being to offer you a job. This is your chance to introduce yourself to that person. 

There may be debate about whether or not to write a cover letter, but according to LinkedIn , you’re always better off making the extra effort.

Surveys of hiring managers have found that one of the top reasons resumes are rejected is because they aren’t accompanied by cover letters. A resume without a cover letter is like a flyer stuck under a windshield wiper: People usually throw them away.

Getting the tone right for your banker cover letter

Banking is among the most traditional and buttoned-down professions. Investment bankers don’t go to their jobs on Wall Street wearing tank tops. There’s a formality that pervades the industry, and it’s reflected in the way letters are written. Unless you belong to an uncontacted tribe in the Amazon, you’ve probably received a letter from a bank. Letters from banks tend to be friendly but professional, getting to the point quickly and informatively, and then inviting you to contact the bank if you have any questions or need any help.

Your cover letter should hit all the same notes. Keep it short, friendly and professional, yet use this space to make an irresistible pitch, and close with a call to action. The whole point of a cover letter is to establish a personal connection to a hiring manager. So while you’re writing a formal business letter, it should also be written with a personal touch.

Hold your cover letter to one page, with a maximum of 400 words, and put some thought into writing it. You need to find the right tone, and use that voice to highlight your experience, training and other qualifications for the job.

Always include a cover letter with a resume unless you are specifically asked not to. A few employers prefer that you send a resume only, and of course you have to respect their wishes. But it’s their loss, because a cover letter is a better vehicle than a resume to convey a candidate’s personality, enthusiasm, friendliness and professionalism.

Here is exactly how you can write a cover letter that will stand out from the crowd, and help you land that interview.

Best format for a banking cover letter

While your bank cover letter offers a lot of latitude when it comes to the tone and content, most cover letters should follow the same basic structure:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting
• The introduction
• The letter body
• The conclusion
• The signature.

Below is a banker cover letter example that you can customize for the position and hiring organization.

17 August, 2020

Dear Mr. Looker,

As a fluent Arabic speaker with four years of investment banking experience in the US/MEA markets, the analyst position at Borton would offer a fascinating next step in my international investment banking career.

After my bachelor’s degree in Finance, I spent three years working in corporate finance, but after my online MBA from Wharton, I started an analyst role in the M&A team at Flux Capital. Over the past four years at Max, I have been the lead analyst for six deals totalling $1.8 billion and have collaborated closely on dozens of others. I have considerable experience in accounting and risk analysis in international markets, with FDI experience concentrated around the Middle East.

As well as working on the valuations and financial viability assessments, I created and updated pitch books and became proficient in writing executive summaries. I enclose non-confidential examples of my best writing work — words make a difference when you are building trust. Giving the right data to the right person gets any deal across the line.

Given that Flux Capital was a boutique firm, I was tasked with raising our profile at networking events and conferences, allowing me to finesse my influencing skills. I am applying to Borton because your scale offers a broader range of opportunities, but I am certain that my “small guy” business development mentality will nevertheless prove useful.

• Lead analyst on $850 million M&A of US/Saudi natural resources acquisition.
• Supported the IPO process for eight start-ups onto the NYSE over a four-year period.
• Used my programming experience to update our in-house financial viability tools.

I am familiar with the culture and reputation of Borton as my uncle is a client and it has been a long-held ambition to work for you. When a role became available, I simply had to put my name in the running for an interview.

Yours sincerely,

Let’s explore what each cover letter component should contain.

Cover letter header

The header of your letter should be an attractively designed section at the top that contains your name, address, phone number and email. Often it will also mention your occupation — for instance, “Investment Banker”.

Other than letting the company know how to reach you, the header is a design element that provides some visual relief from what would otherwise be solid paragraphs of black text.

Your banker resume and cover letter should be designed in the same style — fonts, font sizes and formatting. This gives you a “visual brand” and shows that you’re organized and you pay attention to detail.

Mixing several different fonts and styles will make your resume and cover letter look like Frankenstein’s monster — random parts badly stitched together. Strive for a coherent and consistent design.

Goal of the cover letter header: Distinguish yourself from other job applicants with a visually distinctive style that makes your letter inviting to read. Prominently displaying your contact information makes it easy for impressed recruiters to get in touch.

Greeting for a banker cover letter 

This is the line that says, “Dear Mr. (or Ms.),” followed by the last name of the hiring manager. 

You should almost always try to address your letter to a specific individual rather than the entire company. People like to read their own names, and letters that are addressed to an individual rather than an entire company are more likely to get a reply. Also, it shows your attention to detail if you’ve gone to the trouble of finding out the name of the appropriate person to address.

If you’re responding to a job listing that doesn’t mention the name of the hiring manager, it may be worthwhile to call the company and inquire. But if the company prefers that letters be addressed more generically, follow its wishes. Sometimes you have to use a greeting that says something like “Dear (Employer) Hiring Team.”

Goal of the cover letter greeting: Start off on a professional note while making a direct personal connection with the hiring manager.

Cover letter introduction

Your intro should be an attention-grabbing paragraph that identifies your job objective and briefly previews your qualifications for the job. Use energetic, lively language that shows enthusiasm and confidence, but beware of crossing a line into arrogance or excessive familiarity. Set the right tone from the beginning, and write an opening paragraph that will make your correspondent want to read more.

Goal of the cover letter introduction: Capture the hiring manager’s attention with an intriguing preview of your qualifications that motivates further reading..

Here’s an introduction idea from our banking cover letter sample.

Sample of a cover letter body 

In the central two or three paragraphs of your letter, you have to make your primary case. This is where you describe your work experience, your past achievements in banking and any other qualifications that make you a good fit for the job you’re seeking.

Be specific in describing your accomplishments at past jobs, using facts and figures wherever possible (think numbers, dollar figures, percentages, etc.). Also, try to use an anecdote or two to describe a specific challenge you faced in the past as a banker and how you resolved it.

You may also choose to use the body of your letter to discuss your education, any special certifications or credentialing, and perhaps the reasons for your interest in this particular company. Compare your cover letter to your resume, and while some cross-over is inevitable, try to use the valuable space in your letter to say something your resume doesn’t.

Remember that your letter should not be about why you deserve a job, but about how you can help this company solve its problems, save money or increase efficiency. Emphasize how you can help them, not how they can help you.

Goal of the cover letter body: Persuade this employer that your contributions as a banker would be beneficial..

Our banker cover letter sample illustrates what you might include in the middle part.

Cover letter conclusion and signature

Your last paragraph should contain some kind of call to action —you are looking forward to a reply, you would be delighted to schedule an interview, etc. 

You may even wish to ask if you could call in a week or so to follow up. This shows that you’re serious about this particular job and not just mailing letters at random. Put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re writing to — wouldn’t you pay just a bit more attention if you knew that this letter writer would be calling you soon?

However, it’s possible that some employers might find such a suggestion a bit pushy. Study your target, and write your pitch accordingly.

Your sign-off should generally be a simple “Sincerely” or the equivalent, followed by a space and your typed name. You can also insert your actual scanned signature if you like, though this is not considered essential in electronic correspondence.

Goal of the cover letter closing: End on a positive, self-assured note that suggests you expect the hiring manager will get in touch.

Below is the closing section of our banker cover letter example.

Layout, design and formatting of your banker cover letter

Your letter should look as good as it reads, and that’s why it’s important to follow some basic rules for good design and formatting.

• Fonts: Choose a modern, easy-to-read font that looks attractive but doesn’t call attention to itself. Beware of exotic fonts that may turn to garble on someone else’s computer.
• Font size: Use a font size of 10 to 12 points. If you’re having trouble holding your letter to one page, trim your text before you try to solve the problem by reducing the font size.
• Margins: Include one-inch margins on the left, right, bottom and top.
• Alignment: Body text should be aligned left, not justified from margin to margin. Leave a space between paragraphs, and keep the paragraphs short.
• White space: Don’t overlook the importance of leaving space on your page that contains nothing at all. Good design always includes an appropriate amount of white space to give the eye a break.
• File format: Unless you’re specifically asked for a Word file, save your cover letter as a PDF. The main advantage of a PDF is that it will preserve the formatting of your letter so that it looks the same on any computer. With other file types, you run the risk that some of your text may become unreadable, and it may jump all over the page in places where you didn’t put it.
• Use a professional template: To sidestep all of these potential pitfalls, use a professionally designed cover letter template from resume.io. We’ve taken care of all the formatting for you, so all you have to do is fill in your own content.

The psychology of writing a cover letter for a banker job

Never forget that you are writing a letter to a human being, and you need to think about how it will be received. Put yourself in the shoes of your correspondent, and write in a human voice that is professional but personable.

Psychologists say we all react to different stimuli with a combination of emotional and rational responses. Emotional responses are quicker and more automatic, but more deeply felt. Rational responses are slower and more deliberative. An ideal cover letter should inspire both.

So while this is a professional business letter, don’t hesitate to include language that appeals to the heart as well as the head. “Emotional language” might include some reference to your passions and desires, while “rational language” could be a more factual recitation of your employment history and banking career achievements.

Try using the AIDA model to inject your letter with emotional appeal:

• Grab the reader’s attention by telling a story about yourself related to the job
• Increase interest level by appealing to the hiring manager’s needs
• Create a desire to hire you by detailing how you satisfy the job requirements
• Close with a call to action.

It’s important to study each employer carefully to determine the best approach. If you’re aware of specific needs or problems the company has, and if you have your own strategy for resolving them, say so. It’s always a good idea to include something in a cover letter that shows you’re writing to a specific employer and not mass-mailing a letter to all.

You should also look at the tone of voice the company uses in addressing the public. Most banks use a friendly but formal voice on their websites and in communications with customers. You should endeavor to match the style and tone used by your prospective employer.

You should also consider your position as a banker relative to the employer. If a bank is seeking a new CEO and you’re eminently qualified, you would probably write in a more authoritative voice than a college student looking for her first internship.

Mistakes to avoid in a banking cover letter

Here are some of the common mistakes people make in writing cover letters:

• Writing errors: These include typos, misspellings and errors in grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Surveys have found that simple writing mistakes are the most common reason job applications are rejected.  
• Clichés: “I am writing to….” Stop there! We already know you’re writing, because we’re reading your letter. “Please consider this letter my application for….” Ditto! Other clichés include describing yourself as a “self-starter” or a “team player” who “thinks outside the box. Avoid using stock phrases that every recruiter has read a thousand times before, and strive for fresh, original language.  
• Non-customized letters: If your letter says nothing specific about the company you’re writing to, most hiring managers will assume it’s the same copy-and-paste letter that you’re also sending to all their competitors. Make every cover letter unique, targeted to a specific employer.  
• Irrelevant info: Avoid discussing your hobbies or other aspects of your life that aren’t relevant to the job you’re seeking.  
• Design errors: Strange fonts, tiny margins, huge blocks of text, zero white space and other formatting errors can disqualify your letter at a glance.

Banking cover letter sample with no experience

You may feel that you are stuck in a circular situation: You can’t get a banking job without experience and you can’t get experience without a banking job. That’s a frustration every worker has felt, yet they all got their first job somehow. 

The key is to start with the skills you do have. If you are new to the banking industry, but not to the workforce, explain in your banker cover letter why you want to move into banking. Then, highlight the skills you used in your previous jobs that will transfer to banking. 

Any business or project manager work ranks high, so check out resume.io cover letter examples for those fields, too. Emphasize your communication, organization and problem-solving skills — all abilities that will stand you in good stead in any career.

Consider mentioning your emotional intelligence , also known as emotional quotient or EQ, because, according to Forbes , hiring managers know that a vast majority of their high performers also rank high in this area.

Key takeaways for a banking cover letter

• Bankers who are seeking employment need an excellent resume and an outstanding cover letter, the latter in order to make a personal appeal to a hiring manager.
• A cover letter is your way of introducing yourself personally to a prospective employer. You should always include a cover letter in a job application unless you’re specifically asked not to.
• Cover letters have a formal structure that you should adhere to, and each component of your letter should serve a specific function.
• Design can be as important as content, and you must ensure that your letter adheres to basic rules about fonts, formatting and the overall look.
• Every cover letter should be unique and targeted to a specific employer.
• A professionally designed template can save you from a multitude of errors. The quickest and safest way to write a cover letter is to start with a proven structure where all you have to do is add your own information.

Free professionally designed templates

Does an investment banking cover letter matter?

How to write a cover letter for investment banking, download the free template, proofreading your investment banking cover letter, interview prep, more resources, investment banking cover letter.

Follow our guide and download our real investment banking cover letter template for an Analyst or Associate level position

At most investment banks , cover letters that accompany resumes are barely read, if read at all.  Applications are typically screened according to your resume , with school and GPA as the first filter.  If you went to a “name” school and have a strong GPA, then your resume and cover letter are read in more detail.  To help you get through the screening process, we’ve created this guide to writing an investment banking cover letter.

Unfortunately, cover letters are often more of an opportunity to make a mistake than an opportunity to impress. Your best bet is to keep your letter short and straightforward, taking care to not say anything too daring or risky.

If you do have something unique to note, a particular value-add, then your cover letter can be a great tool for showcasing it.

Investment banking cover letters are fairly formulaic. The sections below give a breakdown of each of the areas of information that should be included and what information to put in each.

There are three main components to a standard investment banking cover letter:

• Introduction
• Experience & Fit

As we noted before, it’s a simple, straightforward (not fancy) document.

Introduction (one paragraph)

Experience & fit (two paragraphs).

Next, go on to describe whatever relevant experience you have that makes you an ideal candidate for the bank to hire.  This can include work experience, university clubs/associations, certification programs, or other activities .  Try to connect your experience back to investment banking skills such as financial modeling and valuation .

Explaining why you’re a good fit for the firm is very important.  To demonstrate fit, you have to understand the bank’s culture (i.e., the values they talk about externally, which may be different from the actual internal work atmosphere).  It’s important for the recruiter to feel confident that you’ll fit in well with the firm. Therefore, make sure you’ve done your homework and are familiar with the primary values the bank espouses in their marketing materials.

The best way for you to determine if you are a good fit with the bank is to network with people who work there and learn first-hand what the culture is like. Once you know what it’s like, you can make an honest assessment of how close a fit you actually are. In any event, whatever you’re able to glean about the company culture, try to work something into your investment banking cover letter indicating how well you’ll fit in. For example, if you determine that the company is especially focused on providing first-class customer service, you can indicate that you focus on providing the specific kind of service that each individual client wants.

Conclusion (one paragraph)

Finally, wrap things up by reiterating how keen you are to work at the bank, why you’re well-suited, and pointing out that you’ve enclosed your resume and are reachable at your contact information to discuss the opportunity. The conclusion is an almost pure formula section. No real new information should be presented there. Simply tie up everything you said in the first two sections.

Enter your name and email in the form below and download the free template now!

Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to writing your investment banking cover letter. Please be sure to download our free template and see our additional  (free!) resources below to help you land a job in IB:

• Investment banking resume
• Investment banking vs equity research
• Interactive career map
• Guide to financial modeling
• See all career resources
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Banker Cover Letter Examples

Use these Banker cover letter examples to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Bankers are responsible for lending money to businesses and individuals. They also work with customers to develop financial plans and investment strategies.

To get a job as a banker, you need to have a strong understanding of financial concepts and a passion for helping people reach their financial goals.

Use these examples to write a banker cover letter that stands out from the competition.

Formal/Professional Writing Style Example

With a strong background in finance and a proven track record of successfully managing financial operations, I believe my skills and passion make me the ideal candidate for this role.

I possess a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from XYZ University and have gained over five years of experience in the banking industry, with a focus on financial analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance. My previous roles as a Financial Analyst and Assistant Controller have prepared me well for the challenges of this position, enabling me to develop competencies such as forecasting, cost reduction, and strategic planning. In my most recent role, I was responsible for managing a team of seven, where I implemented measures that resulted in a cost reduction of 15% and led the successful completion of the annual audit process in collaboration with external auditors.

As a highly organized and detail-oriented individual, I excel at performing complex financial analysis and identifying trends to inform data-driven decision-making. My strong communication skills ensure that I am able to effectively communicate financial insights to stakeholders at all levels of the organization, leading to improved understanding of key performance metrics.

By joining your company, I am excited to contribute my skills and experience to meet and exceed the expectations set for this role. I am highly motivated to contribute to the financial success of your organization and am confident that my dedication to upholding the highest financial standards will make me a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about the opportunities for professional growth within your organization. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.

[Your Name]

Entry-Level Writing Style Example

As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of State, I am eager to begin my career in banking and believe this position at [Bank Name] is a perfect opportunity for me to utilize and expand upon my skills and knowledge.

My educational background has provided me with a strong foundation in finance, accounting, and risk management. Specifically, coursework in financial management, investments, and financial markets has prepared me for analyzing and interpreting financial data. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to participate in an internship with a local financial institution, where I gained valuable experience in customer service and relationship building. This experience has equipped me with the skills to handle customer inquiries, process transactions, and identify the best banking products and services to meet their needs.

I am particularly drawn to [Bank Name] because of your commitment to providing exceptional customer service and your dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. I believe these values closely align with my own personal and professional goals, and I am confident I can contribute positively to [Bank Name’s] overall success.

I would be thrilled to be given the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your team at [Bank Name]. I have attached my resume and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further in an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Networking/Referral Writing Style Example

I was thrilled to learn about this opportunity through my colleague and friend, Mr. John Doe, who has been working with your team for the past three years as an Investment Analyst. John has always spoken highly of the dynamic work culture and growth opportunities at your bank, and I believe my experience and skills would make me a perfect candidate for this role.

As an individual with over five years of experience working in the banking sector, I have a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of banking services, including account management, credit analysis, and customer service. I am confident that my ability to communicate effectively with diverse clients, my strong analytical skills, and my drive to provide exceptional customer service will position me for success in this role.

Being referred to your organization by John, who has firsthand knowledge of my work ethics and professional accomplishments, underscores the belief that I have the skills and drive necessary to make a significant contribution to your team.

I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of your esteemed organization and contribute to its growth and success. Please find my resume attached for your review. I would welcome the chance to further discuss my qualifications and how I can add value to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you further.

Enthusiastic/Passionate Writing Style Example

Having admired [Bank Name] for a long time, I am inspired by the innovation, dedication to customer service, and strong commitment to fostering financial inclusion that your institution consistently showcases. I am confident that my skills and eagerness to contribute to your team make me the ideal candidate for this role.

During my time at [Previous Company], I demonstrated my passion for banking by consistently exceeding sales targets, fostering relationships with clients, and actively participating in community outreach programs. I believe these experiences have equipped me with the perfect blend of sales, analytical, and interpersonal skills to excel in this role.

One particular achievement that stands out is my successful implementation of a comprehensive financial literacy program, which not only increased our brand awareness but also empowered numerous individuals to make better financial decisions. I am eager to apply this same dedication and innovative mindset to the Banker role at [Bank Name]. I am certain that my contagious enthusiasm for assisting clients in reaching their financial goals will make me an invaluable addition to your team.

Furthermore, I am dedicated to continually enhancing my banking acumen by staying informed about the latest industry trends, attending relevant workshops, and pursuing new certifications. I am confident in my ability to not only adeptly fulfill the responsibilities of the Banker position but also consistently go above and beyond for the benefit of both [Bank Name] and its clients.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to join your esteemed organization and embark on a successful banking career with [Bank Name]. I look forward to the chance to further discuss my qualifications and passion with you during an interview.

Problem-Solving Writing Style Example

Having thoroughly researched your bank’s impressive growth and dedication to customer satisfaction, I have identified two central challenges that I believe my background and expertise can help address: bolstering customer loyalty and adapting to the ever-evolving financial technology landscape.

Firstly, I understand that establishing and maintaining strong relationships with clients is key to customer loyalty and long-term business success. With over six years of experience in the banking sector, I have honed my skills in understanding clients’ financial needs and goals, creating tailor-made solutions and fostering trust through excellent communication and prompt service. My ability to combine in-depth market analysis with a client-centric approach will help your bank not only boost customer satisfaction but also maximize opportunities for financial growth, ultimately reinforcing customer loyalty.

Secondly, to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry, banks need to adapt to fintech innovations, streamline processes and provide digital products that cater to the changing needs and preferences of customers. In my previous role at XYZ Bank, I was responsible for integrating new technology solutions into our branch offerings, leading to a 20% increase in customer adoption of digital services. My experience in implementing cutting-edge solutions and facilitating training to ensure a smooth transition for staff and customers alike will prove invaluable in your bank’s continuous pursuit of digital excellence.

In summary, I believe my client-focused approach, financial expertise, and experience in digital transformation will make me a valuable addition to your team. I am eager to contribute to your bank’s ongoing success and further enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further.

[Your name]

Storytelling/Narrative Writing Style Example

Growing up, I had always harbored a deep fascination for numbers and financial matters. This passion, combined with my desire to help others, led me to pursue a career in banking. Let me share with you a story that I believe perfectly encapsulates my dedication to this field.

A few years ago, I found myself in a difficult financial situation. A close friend approached me for help with her struggling small business. With my background in finance and my strong analytical skills, I was confident that I could assist her in turning her business around. I eagerly took up the challenge, putting my knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and cost-cutting techniques to work.

As we delved into the business, I identified several areas where improvements could be made. We negotiated better terms with suppliers, streamlined operations, and implemented a comprehensive financial plan. I even took the initiative to educate my friend on the importance of financial literacy and effective money management, empowering her to make better decisions in the future.

Fast forward a year, and her once-struggling business had become a thriving, profitable venture. The satisfaction of helping someone in need and the joy of witnessing their success fueled my passion for the banking industry even more.

This experience has taught me the power of effective financial management and the profound impact it can have on people’s lives. I am eager to bring my skills, dedication, and passion for helping others to your organization as a Banker.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and am confident that my background in financial management and commitment to customer service make me an excellent candidate for the role. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further.

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Investment Banking Cover Letter Template

Free cover letter template to help you break into Investment Banking (IB)

Mr. Arora is an experienced private equity investment professional, with experience working across multiple markets. Rohan has a focus in particular on consumer and business services transactions and operational growth. Rohan has also worked at Evercore, where he also spent time in private equity advisory.

Rohan holds a BA (Hons., Scholar) in Economics and Management from Oxford University.

Chris currently works as an investment associate with Ascension Ventures, a strategic healthcare venture fund that invests on behalf of thirteen of the nation's leading health systems with $88 billion in combined operating revenue. Previously, Chris served as an investment analyst with New Holland Capital, a hedge fund-of-funds  asset management  firm with $20 billion under management, and as an investment banking analyst in  SunTrust Robinson Humphrey 's Financial Sponsor Group.

Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and earned a Master of Finance (MSF) from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.

• Investment Banking Cover Letter Template: Advice From The WSO Community

Why Do Cover Letters Matter?

• Less Is More For Cover Letters

The Hail Mary Cover Letter

• WSO Cover Letter Template

Attached at the bottom of this post is the FREE investment banking cover letter template that is sometimes used for WSO cover letter review clients.

We have decided to make it free to help those of you that can't afford a more tailored service .

This cover letter template uses bullets to keep the points succinct and format easy to read .

You'll also notice that the header matches the WSO  investment banking resume template format.

Investment Banking Cover Letter Template: Advice from the WSO Community

Here's what you need to know about the IB cover letters from our community.

CompBanker: The cover letter holds almost no weight, other than to put you at risk for being dinged. Make it very simple, very bland, and just say all the usual things. If you have mistakes in it or make outrageous claims, your cover letter will be circulated and laughed at.

Like @CompBanker said, you won't get the interview with your cover letter .

Your goal for the cover letter isn't to single-handedly land you an interview with your eloquence and grandiose; it's to check the box and make sure it's proper enough that it doesn't get you dinged .

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Less Is More for Cover Letters

Our users shared great input on why 'less is more' when it comes to cover letters.

bkm125: What you really want people to be looking at is the resume. The longer your cover letter is the larger the chance that you'll have a typo or say something stupid. Just tell them what job you're applying for, who you've been in touch with at the firm, and maybe a few sentences about your qualifications and lock up the deal with a solid resume.

K.I.S.S: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Mention who you've talked to at the firm , your interest in the job, your qualifications , and briefly (very briefly) explain any gaps in your resume .

Avoid excuses , more on this later.

Two or three paragraphs is all you need for that. Any more than that , and you're giving them potential reasons to ding you .

Here's some great advice from @blackice".

blackice: The best thing you can do is name drop people you have talked to. That way I know you have done your homework, and I can ask the person you talked to how your chat was. I think cover letters are better when they are focused on your past work experience as opposed to general and arbitrary sentiments about how you are a "hard worker and team player with a strict attention to detail".

If you've talked to someone at the firm and they'd remember you, DO namedrop them in your cover letter.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Here are some of the usual mistakes candidates make in their cover letter as mentioned by our member @qonnect.me.

This is an example of an excuse in a cover letter:

"I realize I have more professional experience in technology than in finance. I believe that was just due to bad luck due to graduating from my MBA program at the height of the 'Great Recession '. However, I am 100% committed and motivated to prove myself in a finance position."

Bad luck? No, it's the shitty and difficult-to-read resume , cover letter , and 'research reports' that are the issue .

What goes on in the recruiters head: I'm almost certain you would be a terrible employee just by the quality of the work you sent me in a cold email . You graduated from college 10 years ago, by the way. I remember at least a few of those as being pretty good years. If you were halfway decent, you could have squeaked in the industry in more than a few of those years.

Please do not pin all of your circumstance on luck , especially in a cover letter .

Even if the reader is a big believer in luck , you're telling him you're unlucky .

Who wants to hire someone who's unlucky? It seems the bad luck streak started in utero, if you ask us.

Revealing Your Ignorance:

Even worse than just plain ignorance, is the below quote from an attached research report that a candidate had written. Since he thought it was worth including, I assume the report was something he was proud of, but it was cringe-worthy.

"I am placing a STRONG BUY recommendation on [company]. ("ticker") and believe that [the company], at the current price of $10.00, trades at a 123% discount to my estimated fair market value of $22.30" (Both made up numbers to scale to the actual numbers listed in the 'report')

The report should have never been attached .

It made a weak applicant look even worse . He's clearly never done anything but 'book learn' on these subjects. It's painfully obvious by reading the report. He uses four valuation methodologies on the stock with the sole intention of showing that he knows more than one valuation method .

If you're thinking of including a research report on a company when you're cold emailing people, it's a high-risk strategy. Your research probably sucks unless you've been doing it professionally. If there is any doubt at all about including a 'research report', do not do it.

Side note: The research report had a lot of opinions and not a lot of facts, and it lacked connections between really basic facts about the current state of the business to the 'projections'.

If you don't think you have a chance to get the job, you can toss a Hail Mary with your cover letter .

Here's a cover letter an audacious undergrad used in an effort to stand out and grab the attention of its reader .

A big swing that's either a hit or miss . We don't recommend using this cover letter unless you lack the slightest chance of getting the interview in the first place.

Dear BLOCKED, My name is (BLOCKED), and I am an undergraduate finance student at (BLOCKED). I met you the summer before last at Smith & Wollensky's in New York when I was touring the east coast with my uncle, (BLOCKED). I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk with me that night. I am writing to inquire about a possible summer internship in your office. I am aware it is highly unusual for undergraduates from average universities like (BLOCKED) to intern at (BLOCKED), but nevertheless, I was hoping you might make an exception. I am extremely interested in investment banking and would love nothing more than to learn under your tutelage. I have no qualms about fetching coffee, shining shoes, or picking up laundry, and will work for next to nothing. In all honesty, I just want to be around professionals in the industry and gain as much knowledge as I can. I won't waste your time inflating my credentials, throwing around exaggerated job titles, or feeding you a line of crap (sic) about how my past experiences and skill set align perfectly for an investment banking internship . The truth is I have no unbelievably special skills or genius eccentricities, but I do have a near perfect GPA and will work hard for you. I've interned for Merrill Lynch in the Wealth Management Division and taken an investment banking class at (BLOCKED), for whatever that is worth. I am currently awaiting admission results for (BLOCKED) Masters of Science in Accountancy program, which I would begin this fall if admitted. I am also planning on attending law school after my master's program, which we spoke about in New York. I apologize for the blunt nature of my letter, but I hope you seriously consider taking me under your wing this summer. I have attached my resume for your review. Feel free to call me at (BLOCKED) or email at (BLOCKED). Thank you for your time. Sincerely, BLOCKED.

Interested in Investment Banking - Breaking In

If you want to break into investment banking, you need to be well-prepared for the technical aspects of the interview. We advise you to check out our  Free Investment Banking Interview Guide  first, before investing in  our paid course , so that you have an idea of what to expect.

Two common mistakes that candidates make while recruiting for IB: 

• Using phrasing like "After my summer analyst stint, I learned the entire deal execution process...", "I am extremely proficient in Excel and financial modeling ...", etc. You get the idea. Be confident, but don't over-emphasize anything out of the scope of your ability to speak to it.
• Not enough emphasis on teamwork. This is important. People should know that you are able to work with others. This is easy to incorporate, just give a brief two sentence overview of what your team structure was and why it made sense.

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More Resources:

We hope this template helps you land that dream IB job ! Please check out the following additional resources to help you advance your career:

• Investment Banking Interview Questions
• Private Equity Resume Template
• Hedge Fund Resume Template
• Consulting Resume Template
• Investment Banking R esume Template

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Accounting / Finance Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Writing an exceptional accounting & finance cover letter may seem complex. But it doesn’t have to be — especially if you have a great guide filled with handy tips and specific examples.

In our guide, we'll venture into what it takes to create an impressive accounting & finance cover letter designed to make you stand out. So, read on and learn all about:

• Formatting your cover letter properly
• Writing an effective header
• Crafting a compelling cover letter headline
• Building a strong introduction for your accounting and finance cover letter
• Making your skills and accomplishments stand out in the body of your cover letter
• Writing a persuasive conclusion
• Avoiding common mistakes in an accounting and finance cover letter
• Average salary and job outlook for accounting and finance professionals
• Accounting and finance resources

1. How to format your accounting & finance cover letter

A well-structured cover letter reflects organization skills — a trait treasured in the accounting and finance sector. Here’s how to format your cover letter:

• Standard business letter format: Stick to the traditional layout. Your personal information at the top, followed by the date, then the recipient's details. 
• Professional font and size: Use clean and professional fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Keep font size between 10-12.
• Precision is key: Keep your document to a single page. Be clear, concise, and precise with your words.
• Margins and spacing: Use a 1" margin all around. Make sure there's a space between each paragraph.
• Bullet points to highlight: Use bullet points for listing skills or experiences. It’s an effective way to draw attention and make your points easy to skim through.
• Consistent formatting: Use the same formatting, spacing, and font on your resume and cover letter for a professional, coordinated presentation. 

Remember, your cover letter's format sets the stage for its content. It's the first impression before the recruiter delves into your qualifications and experiences. Get it right, and you're one step closer to that dream accounting & finance role.

Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.

2. how to write your accounting & finance cover letter header.

The header of your cover letter is the first thing a recruiter sees. It's essentially your professional greeting, and it contains your contact information.

A proper header should contain:

• Your full name
• Your address (city, state)
• Your contact number
• Your professional email address
• Date of the application
• The recruiter's name and position
• The company’s name and address

Now, let’s have a look at an incorrect and a correct examples:

Incorrect accounting & finance cover letter header example

John Doe 1111 Street 123456789 joedog@hotmail April 12, 2022

To: Hiring Manager

Why is this example wrong?  

• The address is insufficient as it only provides a street name with no city or state. 
• The phone number is not in the correct format. Typically, a phone number would have brackets or hyphens, showing clear separation.
• The email address mentioned here is both unprofessional and incomplete. It's important to use an email address that includes your name and seems formal, ideally on a reputable platform like Gmail or Outlook.
• Moreover, the reference to the hiring manager is generic, it's always more professional and personalized to mention the hiring manager's full name. 
• Lastly, the company name and address are missing.

All these mistakes could give an impression of a lack of regard for details — a red flag for any accounting & finance role.

Correct accounting and finance cover letter header example

John Doe 123 Cherry Street, New York, NY (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 15th April 2022

To: Mr. Smith Johnson Recruitment Manager ABC Finance Corporation, 456 Finance Avenue, New York, NY

Why is this header correct? It includes a full address, a properly formatted phone number, and a professional email address. It also includes the application's date and the recruiter's and company's information. This correctly formatted header projects an image of precision, attention to detail, and respect for professional conventions — all qualities that prospective accounting and finance employers highly value.

3. How to craft a cover letter headline for accounting & finance roles

A headline is the hook that reels in your reader. For an accounting & finance cover letter, you want a headline that not only grabs attention but clearly communicates your professional expertise . Here's how:

• Keep it relevant: Your headline should clearly relate to the accounting or finance role you're applying for. This helps the recruiter understand immediately that you're a suitable candidate.
• Use keywords: Incorporate key terms from the job description that align with your skills. This can signal to recruiters that you have what they're looking for.
• Stay concise: A lengthy headline can lose the reader's interest. Keep it short and to the point.
• Display your value: The headline is your chance to showcase your unique value. Include a significant achievement or a unique skill set that can distinguish you from other candidates. 

Incorrect accounting & finance headline example

Applying for Accounting Job

Why is this example incorrect? It’s too vague and offers no value or insight into the candidate's skills or achievements. 

Correct accounting & finance headline example

Certified Public Accountant with 5+ Years of Experience and Proven Record of Improving Efficiency by 20%

Why is this example correct? This headline immediately presents the candidate as a skilled, experienced professional. It's keyword-rich and specifies a quantifiable achievement, creating a compelling impression. The position the candidate is applying for is implied rather than stated, maintaining focus on the candidate's value.

4. How to customize the greeting on your accounting & finance cover letter

A personalized greeting plays a significant role in your cover letter. Addressing the hiring manager directly shows that you’ve done your research and aren’t just mass-blasting generic letters. It’s a small detail that can position you as a thoughtful candidate.

Consider these tips when writing your cover letter greeting:

• Find the name: Do your best to find the hiring manager’s name. Look at the job posting, the company's LinkedIn page , or even call the company to ask. 
• Use appropriate titles: If you know someone's official title, use it. It adds a professional touch to your greeting.

Here are some examples of greetings and when to use each:

• When you know the hiring manager's exact name: Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]
• When you can’t find the exact hiring manager’s name, but you know the department hiring: Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• When you’re not sure who exactly will be reading the cover letter: Dear [Company Name] Team
• Avoid generic greetings like 'To whom it may concern' or 'Dear Sir/Madam'. They can make your letter seem impersonal, indicating a lack of effort.

Here are some examples of personalized greetings for your cover letter

• Dear Hiring Manager Mark Johnson,
• Dear Mr. Johnson,
• Dear Mark Johnson,

Remember, each line of your cover letter, including the greeting, is an opportunity to create a positive impression. Don't miss out!

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5. How to write a strong introduction for your accounting & finance cover letter

Your accounting & finance cover letter's' first impression starts with the initial passage. The opening paragraph , much like the summary of an annual report, should captivate and hold the HR manager's attention.

A great introduction to your cover letter should include:

• Synopsis of your professional and academic journey: Present the highlights of your professional and academic track records, just as you would highlight key financial summaries in a report. Include the roles you've played, your academic achievements, and the organizations you've represented.
• Explanation of your interest in the position: It's essential to illustrate why you're interested in this job. Is it a step towards bigger career goals or a chance to dive deeper into the realm of accounting and finance?
• Reference a mutual professional (if applicable): A shared contact provides an additional assurance about your credibility and rapport.

Now, let's look at two sample introductions — one for an experienced professional and one for a fresh graduate.

Experienced professional’s cover letter introduction example

With more than a decade spent navigating the intricate world of financial analysis and optimizing fiscal operations, I bring extensive acumen to the Financial Analyst position at XYZ Company. Through working with renowned firms like A and B, my skill-set has grown exponentially. John Doe, your CFO, and a former colleague of mine, spoke highly of XYZ's holistic financial strategy, which piqued my interest.

This sample showcases an experienced professional emphasizing their rich background . The candidate's mention of a known industry name subtly aligns their credibility with the company hierarchy.

Fresh graduate’s cover letter introduction example

As a recent accounting accolade from University College, my keen eye for numbers and a solid foundation in finance make me an ideal candidate for the Junior Accountant position at XYZ. Jane Smith, an alum of the same college and a current XYZ employee, relayed to me XYZ's commitment to cultivating talents — an environment I'm excited to contribute to.

While this candidate might be new to the field like a crisp banknote, they express their valuable academic prowess and eagerness to harness it. The mention of a personal connection within the company demonstrates their resourcefulness. Their commitment predicts potential value to the company.

6. How to highlight your skills and accomplishments in your accounting & finance cover letter

When you think about the body of your cover letter , imagine it as the core financial statements in an annual report. This is where you detail your skills, achievements, and credentials that position you as a strong candidate for the role.

Ensure the structure of your cover letter is easily readable and logically segmented:

• Start with a clear statement about your current role and responsibilities .
• Move on to detailing your past experiences and achievements, drawing a direct line to how these can contribute to the prospective role.
• Conclude with your standout skills and competencies that would make you an asset to the team.

When it's time to elaborate your skills and achievements, follow the “prudence concept”. Only write about skills and achievements that you can clearly prove. Be sure to:

• Use quantifiable metrics where available. Increased efficiency? State by how much. Reduced costs? Inform them of the percentage.
• Highlight achievements that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities or strategic thinking. 

If you're a recent graduate or changing sectors , think of this as framing your initial trial balance — it's all about showcasing where your real potential lies:

• Discuss any relevant coursework or projects you've undertaken.
• Talk about internships, work placements, or any team projects that you've been part of.
• Mention recognitions you've received, such as top grades, scholarships, or other academic awards.

Now, let's consider some specific examples:

Experienced professional’s cover letter body paragraph example

As the lead financial analyst in ABC company, I supervised a team of five and managed projects aimed at identifying cost-reduction opportunities. Our successes included an efficiency increase by 25% in the first year. Furthermore, my strategic input in financial forecasting led to the mitigation of a potential fiscal crisis, saving the company $2 million.

In this instance, the applicant effectively applies bold numbers and quantifiable achievements, much like a well-audited financial statement. They've skillfully highlighted major skills — team management , strategic financial input , and cost-cutting initiatives — painting a compelling picture of their value addition.

Fresh graduate’s cover letter body paragraph example

In my final year at University, I involved myself in a voluntary income tax assistance programme that exposed me to practical aspects of tax accounting. My rigorous coursework in financial accounting and analysis gave me a strong theoretical foundation. Plus, my distinction in advanced calculus demonstrates my proficiency in handling figures, a skill that can be an asset in the role of a Junior Accountant.

Despite the lack of professional experience, the fresh graduate here draws attention to relevant extracurricular activities and coursework. They've banked on their exceptional academic performance to emphasize their potential. Using their mathematical prowess as an example showcases their readiness to handle accounting responsibilities.

7. How to conclude your accounting & finance cover letter

The conclusion of your cover letter is just as important as your introduction. It's your final chance to convince the hiring manager that you're the right candidate for the role. Think of it as the final figures in a financial statement, cementing the overall impression.

What should your conclusion include? 

• Your availability for the role: Make sure to state when and how you can be easily contacted. This shows you're eager to take the next step.
• Proactive follow-up: Mention that you intend to follow up within a specific timeline. By taking initiative, you show your determination.
• A formal sign-off: End on a respectful and formal note. A simple 'Thank You' goes a long way towards creating a positive impression.

Here’s an example of a strong conclusion for you cover letter

I am excited about the prospect of contributing my unique blend of skills and experience to XYZ Company and am eager to discuss potential cooperation further. I'm available by phone or email at any time that suits your schedule. I will make it a point to follow up on my application within the next week. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to drive forward the goals of XYZ.

Remember, the conclusion isn't a mere formality. It's the summary of everything you've listed before, reinforcing your suitability and declaring your interest in the role. It's your final chance to make an impression, so make it count!

8. How to avoid common mistakes in an accounting & finance cover letter

Though cover letters vary by individual, certain pitfalls can creep into anyone's document . Avoiding these common mistakes enhances the overall impact of your letter.

Here are a few pointers on how to steer clear of these mistakes:

• Irrelevant Information: Just like irrelevant entries can distort a balance sheet, including non-related details only dilutes the effectiveness of your cover letter. Focus on the skills and experiences that directly enhance your suitability for the job.  Tip: Don't mention your retail job while applying for a financial analyst position, unless you can tie certain transferable skills, like customer service or communication skills, to an aspect of the new role.  
• Generalized statements: A vague sentence is as unhelpful as an unclear financial report. Tailor your cover letter for each application instead of rehashing a general template with no modifications. Tip: Instead of a bland statement like "I'm a seasoned financial professional," you could specify, "I bring to the table a decade's experience in optimizing fiscal operations and leading finance teams across diverse sectors.  
• Typos & grammatical errors: In the accounting world, an error can create financial discrepancies. Similarly, typos and grammatical errors can affect how you're perceived. Proofread meticulously and consider using spell-check tools. Tip: It's easy to overlook mistakes in your own writing. Smart editing tools can help you catch errors you might miss.  
• Lengthy cover letters: Remember that hiring managers are typically pressed for time. Craft your cover letter like a succinct summary of financial statements — crisp and to the point. Tip: Keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. Be thorough but concise.

By avoiding these common errors, you'll be able to present a polished, professional, and effective cover letter that stands out in the competitive landscape of accounting and finance jobs.

9. Average salary and outlook for accounting and finance roles

Navigating the landscape of accounting and finance jobs entails looking into the promising future prospects and earnings of these roles. Let's crunch the numbers and review the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

According to the BLS, accountants were earning, on average, about $78,000 a year in May 2022. That shows that businesses value the work that accountants do.

Moving our lens to the job outlook, it seems the future is pretty bright. Employment opportunities for accountants and auditors are projected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032. That's about the same as the average growth for all jobs.

Every year, there will likely be around 126,500 new job openings for accountants and auditors. This takes into account new jobs as well as older workers retiring or leaving.

All in all, the accounting and finance field offers a promising path with respectable earnings and robust job prospects. Career stability and progression are notable strengths in the industry, making it an attractive choice for many aspiring professionals.

10. Accounting and finance resources for job seekers

If you're seeking a job in the accounting and finance industry, it's important to equip yourself with valuable resources. Below are some suggestions:

• Professional networks: Join networks like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or Financial Management Association International . These offer resources, courses, and community connections which can be valuable in your job search.
• Web resources: Websites like Investopedia provide a wealth of information on financial terms, practices, and theories. Using this resource can help you stay up-to-date with industry trends and terminologies.
• Online learning: Platforms like Coursera and Udacity offer online courses on finance and accounting, some even from top-tier universities. These can boost your credentials and expertise.
• Finance blogs and podcasts: Following finance-focused blogs and podcasts can help you remain updated on industry happenings, insights, and ideas. The AICPA's 'Journal of Accountancy' is a good start.
• Job portals and LinkedIn: Regularly check job portals specialized in finance jobs like eFinancialCareers . Don't forget to maintain an updated and active LinkedIn profile .
• Mock interview and resume checkers: Services like Interview Query provide mock interviews, while Kickresume’s AI Resume Checker helps you improve your CV and give it that extra polish in a matter of seconds.
• Professional certifications: Earning additional certifications like a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can significantly elevate your job prospects. Institutions like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provide accredited programs for these certifications.

Remember, the more knowledgeable and prepared you are, the higher your chances of landing that coveted accounting and finance job. Good luck!

Accounting / Finance Cover Letter FAQ

What key skills should i highlight in an accounting and finance cover letter.

Highlight skills that are relevant to the role such as proficiency in different accounting software, analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong knowledge in fields like tax codes or financial regulations.

Should I mention specific accounting or finance certifications in my cover letter?

Yes, if you hold specific certifications relevant to the job, like Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), these should definitely be mentioned in your cover letter.

Can I mention my soft skills in an accounting and finance cover letter?

Yes, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills can be just as important as technical skills in finance and accounting roles, so it's a good idea to mention them.

Does my cover letter have to align with the job description?

Absolutely. Your cover letter should tailor your skills, experiences and career aspirations to the job description. It shows the hiring manager that you understand the job requirements and how you can meet them.

Should I express my passion for finance and accounting in my cover letter?

Yes, showing enthusiasm for your work can make you stand out. You can express your passion by mentioning your continuous learning efforts, engaging in finance/accounting seminars or workshops, or your satisfaction in delivering precise financial reports or strategies.

Julia Belak

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

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• Insurance Agent
• Investment Advisor
• Tax Services

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3 Investment Banking Cover Letter Examples Made in 2024 

• Investment Banking Cover Letter
• Investment Banking Internship Cover Letter
• Investment Banking Analyst Cover Letter
• Write Your Investment Banking Cover Letter

Identifying investment opportunities is where you shine. Risk and return profiles are identified, valuations are completed, and acquisitions are performed successfully with you on the job.

But have you invested enough time writing a cover letter that complements your investment banking resume and helps land your next job?

We’ll help you get started with our investment banking cover letter examples . They’ll provide an easy template for success and, when coupled with our AI cover letter generator, will ensure you stand out in this results-driven field.

Investment Banking Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

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Copy this text for your investment banking cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112 (123) 456-7890

October 01, 2023

Ethan Davis Capital One Securities 123 Fictional Lane New Orleans, LA 70112

Dear Mr. Davis:

As a fervent believer in the power of data-driven decision making in my professional career and personal investment endeavors, I spend my evenings studying financial market trends and identifying potential opportunities when I’m not engrossed in aiding clients in reaching their financial goals. Pairing my passion for finance with my keen understanding of various industry nuances, I am excited to join Capital One Securities as an investment banking associate.

During my tenure at UBS, I honed my expertise in data analysis, using advanced tools like Python and Excel to sort through vast amounts of information. I successfully identified vital investment opportunities that contributed to the growth and diversification of portfolios, thereby increasing the company’s average annual return on investment by 8.2%.

As a financial analyst at Valmiki 504, also based in New Orleans, I dove headfirst into financial statement analysis, scrutinizing balance sheets, cash flow, and income statements. Consequently, my analysis contributed to improvements in client portfolio performance, with a 6.7% increase in average annual returns.

Being involved in numerous Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deals as part of the strategic financial advisory team at Dorsey & Company, I implemented a systematic approach to risk analysis and valuations. My prowess in executing due diligence and navigating financial models was instrumental in securing successful deals for the advisors. Our team collectively increased completed M&A transactions by 9.4% during my time there, benefiting clients through synergistic growth.

I am eager to leverage my enthusiasm and skillset to augment Capital One Securities’ position at the forefront of the financial sector. I look forward to discussing how my expertise can contribute to the growth and continued success of Capital One Securities and its client base. Thank you.

Liam Andersen

Enclosures: Resume Application Academic Transcript

Why this cover letter works

• Follow this with a compelling narrative of relevant work experiences , backing up impacts made in previous workplaces using numbers, percentages, and revenues. Skills such as data analysis, financial statement and risk analysis, and software Python and Excel should suffice in your piece.

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Investment Banking Internship Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your investment banking internship to your cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue New York City, NY 10001 (123) 456-7890

Liam Harris JPMorgan Chase & Co. 123 Fictional Lane New York City, NY 10001

Dear Mr. Harris:

Influenced by the allure of the world of finance and its complex interplay of numbers, I spend my leisure hours tracking global economic indicators when I’m not thoroughly engrossed in my academic pursuit of finance. This fascination for finance and my keen interest in building personalized investment portfolios ignited my enthusiasm to be part of JPMorgan Chase & Co. as an investment banking valuation intern.

During my time at New York University, I honed my skills in Python to analyze complex financial datasets, proving instrumental to our team’s success in the annual Love Data Week competition. The models I developed contributed to us outperforming 52+ teams and winning by a margin of 3.2%.

As a research Intern at the NYU Stern School of Business, utilizing tools like Bloomberg Terminal and FactSet, I completed a research project on the impact of modern trade wars on international markets. The efforts culminated in a published paper that was well-received in academia.

Additionally, my coursework in statistical analysis spurred my interest in predicting financial trends. By employing these skills, I earned the second spot in the college’s annual forecast challenge, predicting S&P 500 performance with an accuracy level of 92.3%.

The idea of playing an indispensable part at the trailblazing vanguard of the finance industry exhilarates me to no end. I look forward to discussing my qualifications in detail at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Zara Jafari

• Of course, the majority of your piece will focus on academic accomplishments. But don’t just highlight your technical know-how. Briefly narrate instances where you translated classroom knowledge into tangible impact during class projects, competitions, simulations, and possibly an internship or volunteer program.

Investment Banking Analyst Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your investment banking analyst cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Memphis, TN 38101 (123) 456-7890

Ava Wilson First Horizon National Corporation 123 Fictional Lane Memphis, TN 38101

Dear Ms. Wilson:

Responding to First Horizon National Corporation’s compelling belief that creating new horizons is critical to client success, I am eager to join your dynamic team of innovators as your next investment banking analyst. Firmly believing in the heightened potential that emerges when diverse insights merge and align toward a shared financial goal, I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with your team of skilled analysts and finance experts.

One of my skills, Comparable Company Analysis (CCA), helped me carve a significant niche at Raymond James. By applying such in-depth analyses, I was able to implement strategies that led to an annual yield increase of 7.3% for our locally focused portfolios, demonstrating the power of well-applied industry knowledge. Moreover, proficiency in pitch book preparation has augmented my communicative prowess, allowing me to clearly convey complex financial narratives. This proficiency manifested in more than just words, driving a 16.4% growth in local investments by effectively showcasing our value propositions to Memphis clients.

My firm grasp of capital structure analysis further complements these core competencies. Using Bloomberg Terminal and FactSet, I dissected intricate financial data at NewSouth Capital Management, which eventually reduced client portfolios’ cost of capital by 14.7%.

As seen from my history of aiding Memphis-based organizations like Bluff City Coffee & Bakery and Medtronic, I am committed to building solid relationships and paving ways for clients to reach their long-term financial objectives seamlessly.

Inspired and motivated by First Horizon’s dedication to guiding its clients toward fruitful opportunities, I look forward to contributing to your mission. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to discussing how my experiences and skills could further bolster the growth of First Horizon National Corporation.

Nina Petrovic

• Go ahead and show off your professional arsenal (cue comparable company analysis, pitch book preparation, or capital structure analysis). Weaving in quantifiable wins, like an annual yield increase of 7.3%, anchors your credibility.

Related cover letter examples

• Investment banking resume
• Financial analyst
• Bank teller
• Account manager

How to Format Investment Banking Cover Letter

When optimizing a client’s investment portfolio, you always ensure you account for their specific needs and financial situation to get them the best results. Take a similar approach to your investment banking cover letter. 

The job description will help you succeed here. It’ll outline the company’s mission and the top investment banking skills they’re looking for so you can include them in your cover letter to stand out.

For instance, you could explain how you’ll use your negotiation skills to help an automotive company continue expanding its market while achieving its goal of bringing fair vehicle prices to consumers.

Investment banking cover letter introduction

When meeting a client for the first time, you’d want to learn their name to instantly create a connection. You should do the same in your investment banking cover letter by trying to address a specific hiring manager by name, if you can find it in the job description or the company website.

Then, once you get into the opening paragraph, grab attention by referencing your passion for the company’s mission and the top skills they’re looking for, like financial modeling or using the Bloomberg Suite.

The example below will show you a cover letter that gets off to a good start but falls short when they don’t get into any specifics about the company’s investment banking needs.

Needs more details!

Dear Ms. Tyson,

I was pleased to see the investment banking opportunity your company has available. With my seven years of experience in the financial field, I believe I’ll be the right fit for your company’s needs.

An opener like the one below is a better option that relates directly to the applicant’s enthusiasm for First Horizon National Corporation’s dynamic and innovative investment banking team. 

A compelling and detailed opener!

Dear Ms. Wilson,

Investment banking cover letter body

Data is a crucial part of the decisions you make as an investment banker. It’s also pretty important to help you write a successful cover letter.

One of the best ways to optimize your body paragraphs is by sharing examples using metrics. For instance, you could explain how you used your market forecasting skills to help a portfolio of 125 clients grow their earnings by an average of 34% annually.

If you don’t have much work experience , you could also write about how your education in finance, accounting, or other related fields has equipped you for the role. For example, you could talk about how you analyzed statements of cash flows with 98% accuracy during your managerial accounting course.

A great body paragraph with data-driven performance!

Investment banking cover letter closing

After you wrap up a meeting with a client, you’d want to relate back to what you covered to ensure they’re up to speed on the next steps you’ll take when optimizing their investment portfolio. You should do the same with the closing of your cover letter by relating back to the essential job skills you emphasized, like private equity and market analysis, and how you connect with the company’s mission.

It’s also best practice to thank the hiring manager for their time and close with a light call to action like “I look forward to discussing the needs of this investment banking position with you further.”

The closer below doesn’t quite hit the mark since it’s missing the call to action or any specific details about the investment banking role.

Lacking impact with this one!

I believe my skills and experience will be of great value to your company’s growing investment banking needs. Thank you for taking the time to review my application.

Isaac Martens

A better closer is the one below that directly relates to Capital One Securities’ goal to grow in the financial sector and help its client base succeed. 

An impactful closer relating to the company’s mission! 

I am eager to leverage my enthusiasm and skillset to augment Capital One Securities’ position at the forefront of the financial sector. I look forward to discussing how my expertise can contribute to the growth and continued success of Capital One Securities and its client base. Thank you.

Sincerely, 

One page is the optimal length for investment banking cover letters. If you’re struggling to shorten it, try to focus on the primary needs of each job. For instance, if you’re applying to a commercial investment banking role, your M&A and equity research abilities may be essential to emphasize. 

Your investment banking cover letter should be customized for each job. It’ll help you stand out when applying to one company that works with high-yield bonds and another that specializes in structured financial management so you can present relevant skills for both. 

The best way to make job skills stand out is to include relevant ones to each company’s needs and share metrics-based examples of how you used them successfully in previous jobs. For instance, you could explain how you used S&P Capital IQ to help companies utilize their assets 54% more efficiently. 

5 Professional Finance Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your finance cover letter should instantly capture the recruiter's interest by highlighting your expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning. Demonstrate your proficiency with numbers and your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Be sure to underscore your track record of success, showcasing specific achievements that have contributed to your previous employers' financial health. Connect these successes to the potential benefits you can bring to the prospective employer, making a compelling case for why you are the ideal candidate.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Finance Intern

Finance Associate

Finance Clerk

Financial Assistant

Cover letter guide.

Finance Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Finance Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Crafting a finance cover letter can be daunting. You've been steadily applying for jobs, and suddenly, you're asked to submit more than a resume. Panic seeps in—how do you avoid mere repetition, eloquently showcased on your CV? Your cover letter is your spotlight, an opportunity to narrate your proudest professional feat without resorting to overused phrases. Remember, while formality is key, brevity is your friend; keep it to one compelling page that tells your unique story.

• Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
• Use professional templates and examples to make sure your finance cover letter follows the best industry standards;
• Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
• Write a finance cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.

Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the finance cover letter it would write for you.

If the finance isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Finance resume guide and example
• Financial Reporting Analyst cover letter example
• Staff Auditor cover letter example
• Billing Specialist cover letter example
• Budget Analyst cover letter example
• Lending manager cover letter example
• Compensation Analyst cover letter example
• Accountant cover letter example
• Auditor cover letter example
• Hotel Accounting cover letter example
• CPA cover letter example

Finance cover letter example

Sebastian Martin

Charlotte, North Carolina

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Emphasize Relevant Achievements : Highlighting a significant reduction in error rates and improvement in efficiency from past roles as Sebastian did with his financial reporting system accomplishments indicates measurable successes that are compelling to hiring managers.
• Quantify Impact : Sebastian provided specific percentages to quantify his impact on revenue growth and reporting efficiency. Using hard numbers can make a stronger case for a candidate's previous effectiveness and potential contribution.
• Match Skills with Job Requirements : Stating his experience with financial modelling and data-driven decision-making aligns well with the demands of a finance analyst role, which typically requires strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial data to make business recommendations.

Designing your finance cover letter: what is the best format

Let's start with the basics, your finance cover letter should include your:

• Introduction
• Body paragraph
• Closing statement
• Signature (that's not a must)

Next, we'll move to the spacing of your finance cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced ( automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates ).

Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.

Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.

Finally, ensure your finance resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).

P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.

The top sections on a finance cover letter

• Header with Contact Information: Include your name, address, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile to make it easy for the recruiter to contact you; finance professionals must demonstrate attention to detail from the outset.
• Opening Greeting: Use a professional salutation and, if possible, address the hiring manager by name to show your dedication to personalizing your application, indicative of the interpersonal skills required in finance.
• Career Summary and Intent: Begin with a concise overview of your finance experience, specifically highlighting any roles or achievements that align with the job you're applying for, demonstrating upfront the value you can bring to the team.
• Body - Relevant Experience and Skills: Elaborate on your previous finance roles, quantifiable accomplishments, and the specific skills you've gained that are directly relevant to the position, showcasing your ability to impact the company's financial health.
• Closing and Call to Action: End your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the role, thanking the reader for their time, and suggesting an interview or further discussion to convey your proactive attitude, which is critical in the finance industry.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

Strong quantitative and analytical skills: Essential for tasks like financial modeling, forecasting, and evaluating financial statements.

Attention to detail: Critical to accurately manage financial data and avoid costly mistakes in reports and analyses.

Knowledge of financial regulations and standards: Important to ensure compliance with laws like Sarbanes-Oxley, GAAP, and others relevant to the finance industry.

Advanced proficiency in financial software: Recruiters look for experience with tools like Microsoft Excel, financial modeling programs, and ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.

Experience in budgeting and forecasting: Demonstrates the ability to plan and manage financial resources effectively over time.

Effective communication skills: Necessary for presenting financial data to stakeholders and collaborating with team members across departments.

How to greet recruiters in your finance cover letter salutation

As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Write your finance cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:

• greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
• using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
• writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.

Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.

In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager],
• Dear [Name of the Team or Department] Team,
• Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,
• Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
• Dear [Full Name],

Get creative with your finance cover letter introduction

Recruiters are going to assess plenty of candidate profiles for the role. Thus, anything you do to stand out will win you brownie points.

Use your finance cover letter introduction to share something memorable about your experience .

But before you go down the rabbit hole of creativity and humor, align your message with the company culture.

For example, if you are applying for a role in some startup, use those first two sentences to tell a funny story (about your experience) to quickly connect with the recruiter.

The middle or body of your finance cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story

Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your finance cover letter, it's time to get down to business .

Hear us out, the body of your finance cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.

Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.

Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.

Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.

In the undertones of your story or finance cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.

Ending your finance cover letter: a closing paragraph with a promise

If you're thinking of finishing your finance cover letter with a "Sincerely yours" or "Thanks for the consideration," you need to read on.

End the final paragraph of your finance cover letter with a twist:

• a promise - of how you'd grow as a professional, part of the company, or improve organizational metrics;
• a call to action - prompt interviewers with some follow-up actions if they are interested in your profile.

A personalized ending would surely help you to stand out by being a memorable candidate.

Which story should you tell in your finance cover letter when you have zero experience

Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.

Your finance cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.

And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?

Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).

Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your finance cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.

Key takeaways

We hope this finance cover letter writing guide has shown you how to:

• Format your finance cover letter with the mandatory sections (e.g. header, greeting, intro, body, and closing) and select the right font (P.S. It should be the same as the one you've used for your resume);
• Substitute your lack of professional experience with your most noteworthy achievement, outside of work, or your dreams and passions;
• Ensure recruiters have a more personalized experience by tailoring your cover letter not just to the role, but to them (e.g. writing their first/last name in the salutation, etc.);
• Introducing your biggest achievement and the skills it has taught you in your finance cover letter body;
• Write no more than two sentences in your finance cover letter introduction to set the right tone from the get-go.

Finance cover letter examples

Explore additional finance cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

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Entry-Level Finance Cover Letter and Resume Samples

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When you are applying for a job in finance , be sure to follow the instructions in the job posting exactly. If a cover letter is required, make sure yours is a good one. It can help to look at a sample of an entry-level finance cover letter to help you know what to include. It’s also helpful to review resume examples so you can see how yours compares. The following is an example of a cover letter for an entry-level finance position.

When you're applying for an entry-level job that doesn't require significant work experience, include information on the related courses you've taken, any internships you've done, and the finance skills you've gained while in college.

It's important to be specific and to take the time to match your qualifications to the job description. The closer the match, the better your chances will be of getting picked for an interview. Here is an example of a cover letter for a finance position, followed by a sample resume.

Sample Cover Letter for an Entry-Level Finance Position

This is a cover letter example for an entry-level finance position. Download the entry-level finance position cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample Cover Letter for an Entry Level Finance Position (Text Version)

Ashley Applicant 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 555-555-1234 ashley.applicant@email.com

September 1, 2018

Thomas Lee Director, Finance ABC Investment Partners 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I am very interested in the entry-level position that is available at ABC Investment Partners. I recently graduated from XYZ University College and am actively seeking employment with firms in the San Francisco area. My courses in investments, finance, and business have given me a solid base upon which I plan to build my career.

During my college internships, I dealt with a variety of budgets and conducted market research while handling numerous administrative duties. The experience allowed me to learn important skills and to develop the confidence needed to succeed in a competitive environment.

I have enclosed my resume for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration.

It would be a pleasure to interview with you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Ashley Applicant

Sample Finance Resume

This is an example of an entry-level finance resume. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample Finance Resume (Text Version)

Ashley Applicant 123 Main Street Little Rock, AR 24680 (123) 456-7890 ashley.applicant@email.com

FINANCIAL ANALYST

Building solid investment strategies for a broad range of clients

Analytical and detail-oriented emerging professional positioned to excel in a challenging entry-level finance position requiring solid knowledge of investment strategies and international financial markets.

Computer skills include:

• Sage 50 Accounting
• PrevisionEPM Financial Reporting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SECOND STREET BANK, Little Rock, Ark. TELLER (January 2018—Present)

Concurrent with education, gaining practical experience for an established banking firm. Provide first-class customer service to clients and handle cash transactions with 100 percent accuracy.

FRANK FINANCIAL SERVICES, Little Rock, Ark. INTERN (September 2017—December 2017)

Structured, researched, and presented individual and group case studies of corporate financial structures, futures markets, commodities pricing, and trading strategies.

PREMIUM TAX SERVICES, Rye, New York INTERN (January 2017—April 2017)

Assisted with filing tax returns for clients.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK , Little Rock, Ark. Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 2018

Relevant coursework included:

• Financial Econometrics
• Macroeconomics
• Corporate finance
• Asset pricing

SOUTHERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE , Little Rock, Ark. Associate of Applied Science in Business Management, 2016

Sending an Email Cover Letter and Resume

If you're sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message:

Subject:  Job Title - Your Name

Include your contact information in your email signature, and don't list the employer contact information. Start your email message with the salutation. 

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WTO / Letters and Emails / Banking Cover Letter (Guide and Examples)

Banking Cover Letter (Guide and Examples)

Over recent decades, there has been an increased rate of economic growth in most societies. In response to this, banks have also widened their horizons to meet the financial demands of such growing economies. This has made banking jobs popular, especially with extreme competition. Therefore, the following tips will help you write a job-winning cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter?

To write a cover letter effectively, follow the following basic steps:

Contact information

First and foremost, you need to include your contact details in the cover letter. You can start by listing your name, address, phone number, email address, and date.

Just below it, you need to mention the contact information of your recipient. If you don’t have the recipient’s contact details, you can simply write the company’s name and a greeting, just as explained below.

Global Bank Ltd.

Dear Sir/Madam,

If you are sending the cover letter via email, you will have to omit the recipient’s address. Instead, just include the greetings at the top.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

The first paragraph is all about explaining to your recruiter who you are and why you are writing. Always remember to keep this paragraph short and sweet. Also, ensure you are creative enough to grab the reader’s attention. Mention the post you are applying for and how you heard about the job.

Paragraph 2

This is one of the most extended paragraphs in your cover letter. Here, you need to start selling yourself. Make the recipient know why you are a hot catch. To achieve this better, express your personality, your relevant experiences, and skills related to banking such as financial modeling, analytical capability, leadership, and teamwork, among others. Always remember to concentrate more on the most recent internships or jobs. Also, refrain from using empty phrases such as “ I am a hardworking and self-motivated person. ” Instead, look at the critical skills related to the job you are applying for.

Paragraph 3

You need to inform the reader that you are fit for this job. Link your experience and skills directly to the job position and explain ways in which you can contribute to success.

Paragraph 4

This paragraph should be very brief, as it is your concluding paragraph. You can use this paragraph to cover any practical issues, such as your availability for the interview. It’s also important to appreciate them for their time. Once again, remind them of your attached or enclosed resume. Lastly, don’t forget to include your contacts. If you know the name of the recipient, you can end the letter with “ Yours sincerely. ” However, if you don’t get the recipient’s name, you can write “ Yours faithfully” before following with your name.

Free Template for a Banking Cover Letter

[Your Name]  

[Your Address]  

[City, State, ZIP Code]  

[Your Email Address]  

[Your Phone Number]  

[Employer’s Name]  

[Bank/Financial Institution Name]  

[Company Address]  

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position Name] position at [Bank/Financial Institution Name], as advertised on [Job Board/Company Website]. With a strong background in banking and a proven track record in delivering exceptional customer service and driving operational efficiency, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the success of your team.

In my previous role as a [Your Previous Position] at [Your Previous Bank/Financial Institution], I successfully [mention an achievement or responsibility that demonstrates your skills]. This experience has honed my expertise in [mention a key skill relevant to the position, such as customer relationship management, risk assessment, or financial analysis].

I am particularly drawn to [Bank/Financial Institution Name] due to its reputation for [mention a specific aspect or value of the bank, such as customer-centric services, innovation, or community engagement]. I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to enhance your team’s success and uphold the high standards for which [Bank/Financial Institution Name] is renowned.

Key strengths that I bring to the role include:

• [List a key strength or skill, e.g., strong analytical skills, attention to detail, effective communication].
• [Another relevant strength or skill, e.g., proficiency in financial modeling, compliance expertise].
• [A third strength, e.g., dedication to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction].

I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my skills align with the needs of [Bank/Financial Institution Name]. I am confident that my experience and enthusiasm make me a strong fit for the [Position Name] role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills and experiences align with the goals of [Bank/Financial Institution Name].

[Your Full Name]

Teller Cover Letter Sample

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Teller position at CityScape Bank, as advertised on your website. With a solid foundation in banking operations and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the efficient and client-focused atmosphere at CityScape Bank.

I constantly showed accuracy and attention to detail when managing cash transactions in my previous position as a Teller at Downtown Bank. My ability to balance daily transactions efficiently and maintain a high level of accuracy contributed to the overall success of the branch. Additionally, I actively engaged with customers, addressing their inquiries, and providing assistance with various banking services.

I am impressed by CityScape Bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its reputation for fostering a positive banking experience. With my background in cash handling, customer service, and familiarity with banking software such as FinTech Pro, I believe I can make significant contributions to your team.

• My experience in accurately processing and balancing transactions ensures a reliable and trustworthy banking experience for customers.
• I take pride in building rapport with customers, addressing their needs, and providing guidance on banking services, contributing to a positive customer experience.
• I am proficient in utilizing various banking software and adapting to evolving industry trends, ensuring efficiency and compliance with banking regulations.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the success of CityScape Bank and uphold the standards of service excellence that your institution is known for. I am confident that my skills and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for the Teller position.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experiences align with the goals of CityScape Bank.

Jason Moore

Experienced Banker Cover Letter Sample

I am writing to express my keen interest in the Senior Risk Analyst position at ABC Bank, as advertised on your company website. With an extensive background in risk assessment, a track record of implementing robust risk management frameworks, and a dedication to ensuring the financial integrity of organizations, I am eager to contribute my expertise to the success of ABC Bank.

In my previous role as the Head of Risk Management at XYZ Bank, I successfully implemented comprehensive risk assessment processes that resulted in a 30% reduction in potential financial exposures. I led a team of risk analysts in developing and executing strategies to mitigate operational, credit, and market risks, ensuring compliance with industry regulations. My hands-on experience in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks aligns well with the responsibilities of the Senior Risk Analyst position at ABC Bank.

I am particularly drawn to ABC Bank due to its reputation for innovative risk mitigation strategies and a forward-thinking approach to risk management. I am eager to bring my skills and knowledge to enhance your team’s capabilities in maintaining a resilient risk management framework.

• Strategic Risk Assessment: Proven ability to assess and prioritize risks, developing and implementing strategies to safeguard financial stability and minimize potential losses.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adept at navigating and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, keeping the organization in compliance with industry standards.
• Team Leadership: Experience in leading and motivating cross-functional teams to achieve common risk management objectives.

I am excited about the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with the specific needs of ABC Bank. I am confident that my experience and commitment to effective risk assessment make me an ideal candidate for the Senior Risk Analyst position.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experiences align with the goals of ABC Bank.

Marie Cromwell

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The cover letter that will get you a job in a bank

Do you really need to write a cover letter when you're applying for a job in an investment bank? These days, it's surely all about the skills in your CV - who's got the time to read that extra blurb saying how perfect you are for the role?

Recruiters working with experienced hires certaintly don't have the time. Most of the banking recruiters we speak to treat the cover letters (or 'cover emails') they receive from experienced candidates as an irrelevance. "For experienced roles, we rarely look at cover letters," says the CEO of one London-based financial services recruitment firm. I just go for the CV," agrees another. "I look at the CV and then I phone them. - If the CV is relevant, I'll get everything that would have been in the cover letter from that call." 

This doesn't mean you should just attach a CV/resume with no introductory email. It does mean that the introductory email might not be read - but you still need to make sure you don't make common mistakes like referencing the wrong bank, or forgetting to attach your CV altogether.

However, there some situations in which cover letters can make all the difference.  

These include:

• When you're applying for graduate jobs in banking.
• When you're applying to banks directly (without going through external recruiters),
• And... when you happen to be using a recruiter who simply likes cover letters (hard to tell!).

"For graduate hires, cover letters are very important," says one headhunter. Just how important is reflected by the fact that some banks specify them as a must-have in the ir graduate recruitment process .   Banks like Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Barclays, Morgan Stanley and Macquarie typically all demand that their would-be analysts in Europe write cover letters or something very similar, says Victoria McLean, a former Goldman Sachs recruiter and founder of banking CV specialists, City CV.   "Some banks still ask for specific questions to be answered around motivation, strengths and key behaviours/competencies (these are of varying word counts depending on the bank)," she says.

Goldman Sachs historically demanded that recruits write a 300 word personal statement as a cover letter. A former recruiter at the firm told us it was  very important. "Some students were excellent until they got to the cover letter," - those 300 words let them down.

What makes a good banking cover letter? Mai Le, a former Goldman Sachs investment banking associate who ran  CoverLetterLibrary , a community which houses a collection of cover letters that have enabled juniors to get jobs at banks in the past. Le says the best cover letters have two things in common: narrative structure (they emphasize your story and show the choices that brought you here) and facts and figures that underscore your background and achievements. By comparison, Le says the worst banking cover letters suffer from key-word stuffing, irrelevant information and spelling and grammatical mistakes.

It can help to follow a general template... 

You need to tailor your cover letters for each job you apply to. But this doesn't mean that you can't write a cover letter that follows a template. It does mean that each time you apply for a new job, you will need to fill in the template all over again.

McLean suggests your template follows the following format: Introduction. Why me? Why you? Why this job? In total, the text within the template should be no more than 750 words, or one A4 page, long. Le says some candidates also use a format that's ordered as, Why this job? Why this bank? Why me?  "It's a matter of personal preference," she says. Ultimately, you want all these elements in the cover letter and should go with which ever you feel comfortable with.

Either way, here's what to include.

The easy introductory paragraph

The first paragraph is all about explaining why you're writing. If you're applying for a graduate job in a bank, keep it short and sweet.

"The first paragraph is just to say who you are and why you're writing the letter," says McLean.

This paragraph might read something like. "I am an X with X year history of X at global banking firms including X as well as X. I have been working for X for the past X years."

If you're writing a Goldman Sachs cover letter that's 300 words or less, you can ditch this style of opening paragraph. - There's just no space for it.

If you're writing to a recruiter, there's less need to be quite so brief with your introduction. Say who you are, and explain why you've approached that recruiter in particular: "If someone says they've been referred to me by someone I know and respect, I will sit up and pay attention," says one U.S. recruiter. "The same applies if they say they've learned that I mentor women and that this is something they're interested in too."

In other words, when you're writing a cover letter to a recruiter, you need to know who you're writing to. Use this introductory paragraph to address them in person. Flattery will get you everywhere.

The selling yourself paragraph. 'Why you?'

The second paragraph is usually harder. This is where you need to start selling yourself, expressing your personality, and explaining why you're such a hot catch. It's here that you can add in some of the narrative explaining how you came to apply for this role, plus some of the substantiating figures that Le says make successful cover letters so effective.  Don't  use bland and empty phrases like, "I am a determined, motivated person." Do look at the key words and skills used to describe the job you're applying for and (without too obviously reiterating the ad) explain how you match them. Focus on the results and on  outcomes you've achieved in similar situations in the past.  You need to be specific and you need to bring yourself to life.

If you're writing a cover letter to accompany a graduate application, McLean says you can use the second paragraph to talk about what you've studied and how it's relevant. If you've studied finance and know how to do a DCF, now's the time to mention that. If you haven't studied finance but have good relationship management skills and you want to work i n M&A (a relationship-focused business), say that here. Provide EVIDENCE for the skills you're claiming to have.- List any awards you've won. Never, ever, make empty statements. "Many successful trading cover letters feature the candidate's trading return profile and their rationales for their success or failure," says Le. " - Cover letters for sales positions highlight the candidate's track record that evident their ability as a natural salesperson."

The motivational paragraph. 'Why this job (in this sector?)'

If you're an experienced hire applying through a recruiter or applying directly to a bank, this is where you explain why you want the job you're applying for. If you're a student applying for a first job, this is why you need to explain why you want this job and why you want to work in this sector. Be specific -  you'll need to know about the job and the sector before you start this section.

As a student, you'll need to link your skills back to your motivation for working in that area of banking above others, says McLean. Why M&A? Why not sales and trading? Why not compliance?  - If you want to work in operations , for example, explain how you have a passion for building systems and improving efficiency, as evidenced by your system for serving customers in your weekend job...

"You should include what you love about the industry to which you are applying," says McLean. "Why is it important to YOU? Why does it matter to YOU? How does it make a difference to YOU? and why is it interesting to YOU? Especially valid for Graduates: Why finance? Why investment banking / asset management?  before addressing the specifics of the division or programme to which you are applying. The key is to make this personal…. This is where most grads go wrong in their cover letters, they sound too generic and impersonal."

The connection paragraph. 'Why this bank ?'

The fourth paragraph is all about explaining why you want to work for that particular bank. Again, you need to be specific. McLean says graduates often copy and paste from banks' own websites. For example, it's not unheard of for them to write, "I want to work for Goldman Sachs because you have 170 locations across 90 cities in over 30 countries."  This will get you nowhere.

"The idea is not to flatter your potential employer but to identify what makes them a good choice for you and you a good fit," says McLean. "Telling Goldman or Citi you want to work for them because they are the best is not going to impress anyone. However, writing that it’s an opportunity to work with some of the best minds on the street and that you want to be held to those same exacting standards is a bit more engaging." But you need to put this in your own words: you need to make it personal and say what the banks strengths mean to YOU.

The other ex-Goldman Sachs recruiter we spoke to said she particularly looked for, "creativity and effort and writing about Goldman Sachs," when running through students' cover letters. People were expected to say exactly why they wanted to work for Goldman rather than, say, J.P. Morgan.

Instead of just reiterating what you've read on banks' websites, therefore, you need to cite some unusual reasons for choosing that bank that will make you stand out. If you're a student, it helps to say that you've met some of the banks' staff and were impressed by them.  Citigroup, for example, suggests that  student cover letters  reference encounters with the bank's staff at recruitment events. - Make a note of the staff you meet and explain what they said or did that impressed you, and what made you think you'd like to work with them.

Mark Hatz, a former M&A associate at Goldman Sachs and Perella Weinberg Partners who now helps people get jobs in banking , says stressing your rapport with people you've met from the firm is particularly important when you're applying for a job in M&A or capital markets: "These are advisory businesses and they want to see that you can build a rapport and work in a team. If you get the job, you'll also be spending a lot of hours in the office with these people, so showing you like them is very important."

It also helps to reference the bank's strategy, to mention any awards the bank won, and to cite any conversations you've had with or comments you've read from other industry professionals and analysts who've given concrete reasons why it's good place to work. Everything in this section needs to be positive. - You need to explain why you want to work for Deutsche Bank specifically without writing anything that denigrates its rivals. The more senior you are, the more you will need to reference solid strategy points at this stage.

"Show a grasp of where they are going, what the plan is and why this appeals to you," says McLean. Show that you know their strategy and that you agree with the way they're addressing challenges. "You should also write about the future of the firm. You should be planning to be there for a few years and hoping to share that future with them," McLean adds. Look at the shareholder letter in the last annual report for information on a bank's strategy.

The call to action

Finally, you need to end the cover letter with a call to action. McLean suggests completing the letter with the following sentence: "I really look forward to hearing from you. I am available for interview and contactable by X.'

Simple. Except all of this has to be written in 750 words - or just 300 if you're a student applying to Goldman Sachs. It's not so easy after all.

Click here to create a profile on eFinancialCareers. Make yourself visible to recruiters hiring for top jobs in technology and finance. 

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How to Write a Cover Letter: Banking, Finance & Accountancy

You might have heard that investment banks and other big financial services companies simply won’t have time to read your cover letter. That might be true, but an experienced recruiter will be able to detect a bad covering letter at a glance. So for large companies, while it might not matter so much if you craft the perfect cover letter, a noticeably poor cover letter will certainly scupper your chances.

A cover letter for a banking, finance or accountancy firm is a professional document, which should, in essence, be a sales pitch to accompany your CV. It’s your chance to sell yourself as a strong candidate for the role. That means recruiters don’t want to hear your sob story; they are much more interested in: who you are, what you’ve done and whether or not you have the skills for the job. It’s as simple as that.

Keep it short…

Since most employers in the banking, finance and accountancy sector will (most likely) only glance at your cover letter, you need to keep it short. By short, we mean one side of A4 maximum and certainly no more than 500 words.

Most banking and finance companies are pretty strait-laced, so you’ll need to make sure your cover letter is written in a professional and formal manner. At the same time, try to stem the impulse to clog your cover letter with financial jargon and business speak, although you might want to consider using a few carefully chosen buzzwords.

Tailor it to the company…

An example of a bad cover letter is one where the applicant has made no attempt to tailor it to the company they are writing to. It’s the job application equivalent of saying to the employer you simply CBA. Believe us! Recruiters will be on the lookout for any formulaic applications where it’s obvious that the applicant has sent the same letter to multiple companies. More often than not, these letters will go straight in the bin.

So to fast-track your application to the “we’d be mad not to interview them” pile, you need to make sure you tailor your cover letter to each company and each job you apply for. Research the job to find out exactly what it will involve. Scour the company literature to suss out what makes them different from their competitors and to get a sense of their company culture.

Don’t write anything until you have properly read the job advert and researched the company. You should be able to identify the key things (keywords) the company is looking for and what they value in their employees.

How to structure your cover letter…

For the majority of banking and finance employers, communication skills will be in their shortlist of desired attributes. They’ll want someone who can communicate coherently and write in a logical fashion. Send them a rambling, unstructured covering letter and they might doubt your ability to communicate. So pay close attention to the structure of your cover letter. We’ve put together a suggestion for how you might want to structure your cover letter below:

Addressing your cover letter

As it is a formal letter, your address and the name and address of recipient should be at the top of the letter. If you are emailing the cover letter, put the cover letter in the body of the email and omit the addresses. You should also attempt to find out the name of the person who will be receiving the cover letter, so you can address it to them directly.

Paragraph 1

A cover letter is also an introductory letter. The first paragraph is an ideal place to tell the recruiter who you are and why you are writing. Mention the role you are applying to and how you heard about the job (particularly if you were referred by a mutual acquaintance). Give a unique reason why you would be great for the role.

Paragraph 2

It certainly doesn’t hurt to do a subtle bit of wooing in your cover letter, so here you might want to state why you want to work for the company in particular. Try to come up with a reason that sounds genuine and unique. A little bit of enthusiasm and interest in the role certainly wouldn’t go amiss either.

Paragraph 3

Employers don’t care that you can stack 20 cups in ten seconds or that you can mould your belly button fluff into a precise replica of the Olympic torch. Ultimately, they want to know that you have the skills to do the job. Consequently, in this paragraph, you might want to showcase the relevant skills you have for the job.

Isolate the key attributes they are looking for by scouring the job advert or reading up on company literature. Then show them that you have their desired attributes by drawing upon examples of previous work experience, your degree or any relevant extracurricular work.

Paragraph 4

The final (very brief) paragraph can be used to tie up loose ends or cover any practical issues such as availability for interview.

You should end the letter “Yours sincerely” if it’s being sent to a named person; if you haven’t managed to find out a name then use: “Yours faithfully” followed by your name.

Proofread your cover letter…

One sure-fire way of getting your cover letter unceremoniously dumped straight into the rubbish bin is to send in a letter riddled with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Double check, nay triple check your cover letter. Get your mum, friends, granny, dog to read over the letter, looking for any typos or schoolboy errors.

Pay attention to the formatting as well. Make sure it is clearly laid out and use a sensible font (if they’re likely to read it onscreen, use a font designed to be read on a screen, such as Verdana or Helvetica).

So there you have it: a basic guide to knocking the socks off banking, finance and accountancy employers with your well-crafted cover letters. There’s only one thing left for you to do now: crack on with them!

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Business, Finance & Consulting Cover Letter Examples

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16+ Banking Cover Letter Templates – Sample, Example

Job seeking is one of the most challenging events that every individual must take. It surely is not an easy task to do as well—from endless sample resumes and cover letter making, looking for prospective employers, to repetitive questions from recruiters. It is essential to always create a good first impression toward hiring managers, and this should mirror, apart from your resume, through your cover letter templates.

Free Cover Letter For Bank Job

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Bank Job Application Letter

Cover Letter Sample For Bank Job Application In Word Format

Banking Cover Letter Templates

• Address your printable letter directly to the employer
• You can write about your interest in the banking position
• Write about your personal, educational, and experience detail(s)
• Your personal detail(s) should have your name, address, and contact detail(s) for communication
• Make sure you write your area of study in your educational detail(s)
• Write about your skills and experiences(if any). It will help you to get the job you are interested in.

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Sample Bank Job Application Letter Format

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Application Letter For Bank Job

How to Write a Banking Cover Letter

• You should write your necessary details at the top portion. The name and contact information should be on the right side, and the hiring manager’s name and contact details are on the left side. In case you don’t have the name, make use of the company name and address.
• Make a clear and concise introduction. This is the part where you should state who you are and how you learned of the job vacancy. You also include what attracts you to the position and the company. Write at most 2 to 3 sentences.
• Write down your background. This part is where the lengthy paragraph starts. Begin by writing what you are currently doing and give relevant experiences you’ve had. Highlight the relevant skills applicable to banking.
• Conclusion section. This is the area where you write down your contact information and include that you look forward to hearing from them. This should be in short sentences. You can also see more on  Banking Cover Letters in Word.

Branch Manager Cover Letter

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Sample Cover Letter For Bank Job

Guidelines for Cover Letter Making

• Your cover letter formal should consist of contact information, a salutation, the content, and suitable closing.
• When it comes to salutations, it is necessary to include an appropriate salutation at the start of the basic cover letter.
• For closings, ensure to make use of a professional close statement to your cover letter professional.
• For formatting, you should always follow the standard format. Include the purpose of your writing design cover letter , what you have to offer, and in what way you will follow up.

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What Is a Personal Loan Agreement?

• What's in Personal Loan Agreements?

The Bottom Line

• Personal Loans

How to Write a Personal Loan Agreement

Step-by-step guide to creating a personal loan agreement

Ward Williams is an Editor focused on student loans and other financial products and services. He has five years of professional editing, proofreading, and writing experience. Ward regularly contributes to stories about government policy and company profiles. He received his B.A. in English from North Carolina State University and his M.S. in publishing from New York University.

Investopedia / Zoe Hansen

A personal loan agreement is usually a good idea whether you're lending money to family or friends or borrowing from them. It's a way for you to ensure that both parties understand the loan's terms.

Additionally, a personal loan agreement document can be enforced in court if something goes wrong, such as the borrower failing to make payments. Here's what you need to know about writing a personal loan agreement.

Key Takeaways

• A personal loan agreement document provides the borrower and lender with a way to review terms and expectations.
• Personal loan agreements are used when individuals loan money, not when banks loan money.
• Your personal loan agreement should include identifying information for all parties, clear terms (including the interest rate), and a repayment schedule.
• Personal loan agreements are enforceable by courts.

Personal loan agreements, sometimes called personal loan contracts, are designed as legally binding documents to outline the repayment terms of a loan, which helps the borrower and lender understand expectations .

A personal loan contract can also stipulate whether the arrangement includes collateral. While most personal loans are unsecured (i.e., there's no valuable asset used to secure the loan), it's possible for these arrangements to have some collateral . A secured personal loan contract should include the situations in which a lender could claim the valuable item used to offset the risk of making the loan.

Most personal loan agreement documents include information about the borrower and lender, loan amount, interest rate , fees, repayment terms and schedule, how disputes are settled, and what type of collateral (if applicable) will secure the loan.

Personal loan documents are considered enforceable in court, so a borrower who doesn't meet their obligations could have a judgment levied against them, such as a lien or wage garnishment .

What Should Be Included in a Personal Loan Agreement?

You typically utilize a prearranged contract when signing a personal loan contract with a traditional lender. If you're lending to or borrowing from friends and family, you might need to write your own personal loan agreement document.

If there's only a small amount involved, a simple promissory note might be sufficient. However, in some cases, you may need a more complicated contract. Here are some of the items that should be included when creating a personal loan contract:

• Identification : Those involved in the contract should share their full names and addresses. Driver's licenses and Social Security numbers (SSN) might also be used for further identity verification.
• Date : Dates for signatures, the time the agreement goes into effect, and other important dates should be identified in the personal loan agreement document.
• Loan amount : Include the total amount being borrowed. This is the principal of the loan.
• Collateral : If applicable, include what is being used to secure the loan, its value, and the conditions under which a lender can claim the property.
• Interest rate : The stated interest rate of the loan should be included, and designate whether it's a fixed rate or variable rate . Variable rates should include the provisions for determining a new rate and how often the rate changes. If you're charging any fees (such as origination fees ), you also need the annual percentage rate (APR) , which includes the interest value of the fees.
• Repayment schedule : Using the interest calculation, it's possible to work out a repayment schedule. Often repayment happens monthly, but your agreement can include other arrangements. Make sure the date of the last payment is clear.
• Penalties : Any personal loan contract should include penalties for late payments, in addition to the consequences of default.
• Jurisdiction : State where the agreement will be enforceable. Double-check state laws, as well as mediation requirements, when choosing a jurisdiction.
• Severability clause : This portion of the personal loan agreement is designed to ensure that most of the rest of the agreement remains intact, even if one part of the contract is found illegal or unenforceable.
• Entire agreement clause : Many contracts, including personal loan agreement documents, feature a section detailing that any other arrangements outside of what's documented in the contract aren't part of the agreement.
• Signatures : Finally, don't forget to have the borrower and lender each sign the document.

While not necessary, it might make sense to have others witness the signatures (and sign as well) or to get the services of a notary to officiate over the signing.

Other Clauses You May Find in Business or Bank Loans

While many personal loan documents are quite simple, some can become more complicated thanks to additional clauses that are often included in business or bank loans. Some items you might see include:

• Successors : This clause explains what happens if one of the parties passes away before the agreement is fulfilled.
• Legal expenses : This specifies who's responsible for paying different legal fees depending on the various outcomes of a dispute.
• Modification : You may want to include some steps the parties might take if they want to alter the agreement.
• Credit verification : Signing the agreement typically grants permission for the lender to request documentation designed to help verify your income. You might also see a clause granting the lender permission to review your credit history.

You can find personal loan agreement templates online, such as this one from the Law District:

Example of a Personal Loan Agreement

While you can write your own agreement from scratch, there are several templates that can make it easier to create a personal loan agreement document. Here are examples of how you might fill in template sections:

1. Parties : This Personal Loan Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of September 19, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), is by and between Jane Doe (the “Borrower”), with the mailing address of 123 Main Street, in the City of Anytown, in the State of Delaware, and John Doe (the “Lender”), with the mailing address of 123 Any Street, in the City of Everyplace, in the State of New Jersey.

2. Loan Amount : The sum loaned by the Lender to the Borrower will be: Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000).

3. Payment : This Loan Agreement, which covers the entirety of the principal sum and any interest accrued, will be due and payable via the method specified below:

☐Single payment: The loan, any unpaid interest, and all other charges and fees are due either: On the demand of the lender / On or before ______/_____/20____

☐Weekly installments of __________ Dollars ($________) beginning on ____/_____/20___ and continuing every 7 days until the entire balance is paid in full.

X Monthly installments of one-hundred and eighty-eight Dollars ($188) beginning on 10/19/2023 and continuing every month until the entire balance is paid in full.

☐Quarterly installments of __________Dollars ($________) beginning on the ____ day of each quarter and continuing every quarter until the entire balance is paid in full.

☐Other:__________________________________

4. Interests : (Check one of the options below)

X This Loan Agreement bears interest at a rate of 4.95 percent (4.95%) compounded annually. This must be equal to or less than the maximum usury rate in the Borrower’s State.

☐ This Loan Agreement does NOT bear interest.

5. Late fee : (Check one of the options below)

☐ There is a late fee in this Loan Agreement. If the Borrower does not make a payment within_________ days of the contractual due date. Under this provision, the Borrower agrees to pay the Lender a late fee of ________% of the amount due at the time of the missed payment.

X There is NO late fee in this Loan Agreement.

6. Prepayment : (Check one of the options below)

X The Borrower of this Loan Agreement may pay back the loan in full or make additional payments at any time without incurring a penalty.

☐ The Borrower will incur a surcharge of ________% of the amount paid in surplus to the agreed payment schedule.

7. Income Verification :

The Lender reserves the right to require an income verification to the Borrower. This Verification may include, at least, the following:

• Earnings statement or W-2 form identifying employee and showing amount earned period of time covered by employment.

8. Events of Acceleration :

If any of the following events occur, this will constitute an “Event of Acceleration” under this Loan Agreement:

• The Borrower fails to pay any part of the principal or interest when it is due under the terms of this Loan Agreement; or
• The Borrower becomes insolvent or refuses to pay any debts when they become due.

9. Acceleration : If one of the Events of Acceleration above occurs, the Lender can, at their sole and exclusive option, declare this Loan Agreement immediately due and payable.

10. Remedies : The Lender has the right to remedy any breach of this Loan Agreement. Delays or omissions in exercising the rights granted under this Agreement by the lender do NOT constitute a waiver of these rights. Additionally, no omission, waiver, or delay may invalidate any of the stated terms, nor shall they restrict the Lender from enforcing this Agreement. The Lender’s rights and remedies shall be cumulative and can be pursued singly, successively, or together at their sole discretion.

11. Subordination : The Borrower’s obligations under this Loan Agreement supersede and subordinate all other indebtedness, if any, of the Borrower, to any unrelated third-party lender. 

12. Waivers : The Lender cannot be deemed to have waived any rights provided under this Loan Agreement unless they are provided in writing. This shall not, however, be construed as a future waiver of said rights or any other covered by these terms and conditions.

13. Legal Expenses : In the event any payment made under this Loan Agreement is not paid when due, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal and interest owed, reasonable attorneys’ fees. The amount of these expenses shall NOT exceed the maximum usury rate in the State of New Jersey upon the outstanding balance owed by the Borrower under this Loan Agreement. This sum shall be added to any other reasonable expenses the Lender has incurred in exercising their rights and remedies upon default by the Borrower.

14. Governing Law : This Loan Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey.

15. Successors : This Loan Agreement binds the Borrower and the Borrower’s successors, heirs, and assigns, however, the Lender may not assign any of their rights or delegate any of its obligations without the prior written consent of the holder of this Agreement.

16. Signatures : IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Promissory Note as of the day and year first written above.

Lender’s Signature: Jane Doe Date: 9/19/2013

Print Name: Jane Doe

Borrower’s Signature: John Doe Date: 9/19/2013

Print Name: John Doe

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also has a template you can use to make a personal loan agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does a personal loan agreement need to be notarized.

No, notarizing a personal loan agreement isn't usually required. However, it can help to have an "official" record of the contract to encourage both parties to take the terms seriously.

Can a Personal Loan Agreement Be Changed Over Time?

Yes, if all concerned parties are willing to change the agreement, it's possible to modify the original. However, there should be an agreed-upon process to follow.

If I'm Lending Money, How Much Interest Can I Charge on a Personal Loan?

In general, you should charge interest in line with the prevailing market. However, you are limited only by state laws (usually the borrower's). You can charge up to the amount allowed by state law.

How Is a Promissory Note Different From a Loan Agreement?

A promissory note is often considered a type of loan agreement. However, many promissory notes are much simpler than a full contract, simply stating the amount borrowed and when it should be repaid.

Anytime you borrow or loan money, consider having a loan agreement in place to protect both parties and to clarify terms, especially when lending money to family and friends . Writing a personal loan agreement document can provide all parties with information and it can reduce misunderstandings about the terms of the loan and its repayment.

Legal Information Institute. " Loan Agreements ."

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. " What Is a Judgment? "

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. " Loan Agreement and Promissory Note (Example) ."

LawDistrict. " Personal Loan Agreement ."

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