Answer to Question #147889 in Finance for Patrick Kataka

Question

Explain the organizational structure of investment banks

Answer 1

Investment banks are usually split into three sections : front office, middle office and back office.

Front office activities include advising on mergers and acquisitions, sales, and trading, research and providing capital raising strategies.

Middle office include risk management, financial control, corporate strategy, corporate treasury and compliance. It aim is to ensure that investment bank engage in activities which are in accordance with the bank's goals.

Back office include operations and technology. It provides support to ensure front office engage in jobs that lead to creation of money for the investment banks.