An Introduction to Technical Banking Interviews - 21 September 2015 - Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

Guide for preparing for Deutsche Bank Corporate Banking & Securities technical interview rounds, focusing on why banks run technical interviews and what “technicals” levels depend on. Covers preparation priorities across divisions: DB strategy and key financials, core role responsibilities, and recent regulations/market moves. Details what to study for CB&S areas (Corporate Finance, Markets) as well as Asset & Wealth Management and GTB/Infrastructure topics. Includes sample questions, tips, and guidance on structured thinking, probability, expected value, valuation, and statement analysis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What is a technical interview?

Why do Banks bother with technical interviews?

What level of “technicals” do I need to demonstrate?

What’s the secret sauce?

What to prepare

All areas of Banking

CB&S

Asset & Wealth Management

GTB

Infrastructure

Some sample questions

General awareness and Markets

Brain teasers and guesstimates

Accounting, valuation and statement analysis

Tips

Deutsche Bank Corporate Banking & Securities An Introduction to Technical Banking Interviews 21 September 2015 Sabih Behzad Introduction What is a technical interview? • Either a standalone round, or part of the interview where questions focus on key content relevant for the role. E.g. accounting/valuation knowledge, understanding of economics/markets, knowledge on regulations, or technological trends in finance etc Why do Banks bother with technical interviews? • Helps demonstrate your passion and a genuine interest in the role • Allows the interviewer to probe the boundaries of your knowledge. What you may have been taught versus what you have learned through self-directed research/study • Gives the interviewer a basis to understand what your level of knowledge is and how quickly you will be able to learn what you don’t know What level of “technicals” do I need to demonstrate? • It depends on your previous experience/study, division you are interviewing with. It also depends on your interviewer! • Often, the interviewer is not looking for the one “right” answer. Rather, they want to see how you think and how far you can progress along the problem What's the secret sauce? • Preparation, preparation, preparation! • Understand the core skills required in the division you are applying to What to prepare All areas of Banking • Good understanding of DB, it’s different divisions and what they do. Key elements of our strategy • Our key financials like stock price, revenue, countries we operate in etc • How a bank makes money, and specifically what role your division plays within that • The specific responsibilities associated with the role you are likely to take • Recent industry wide news such as regulation or general market movements CB&S • Corporate Finance: Accounting (a good understanding of the 3 financial statements and key financial metrics), valuation techniques used and how to apply them. Be prepared to talk about a transaction you have closely followed. Can involve a case study • Markets: Economic principles, different financial instruments and how they work (equity, debt, derivatives, FX, commodities, etc) . Be prepared to talk about a stock you follow/trade or your views on the news such as china, UK growth outlook etc. Can also involve market sizing/guesstimate exercise or brain teasers What to prepare Asset & Wealth Management • An understanding of the different asset classes and the principles of portfolio management • Industry trends across different regions and product types • Recent news and advice you may give an new investor in a sector, product or region GTB • Understanding of cash management, trade financing and general commercial banking knowledge • FX – how it works and the principles of hedging in particular Infrastructure • Understanding of the key role the division plays as an enabler of front office functions • Latest industry trends, especially regulation or technological trends where relevant • For functions such as Finance, a deep understanding of financial statements and analysis is required Some sample questions General awareness and Markets General market knowledge Sales & market knowledge Principles of finance / asset diversification Geopolitical context Question Tell me about a recent article (or recent trend) you read in the FT Pitch me a stock (or other trading idea) If you had £10 million, how would you invest it? Tell me about major world events Tips —You should be reading the FT! —Depth is better than breadth —Try and make it relevant to the interviewer —Have a couple of trading ideas ready —Industry themes and stock positioning —Selling skills are key —State your investment goals —Explain asset diversification —Layout a good selection of asset classes and expected returns —Doesn’t have to be directly finance related but understand how these issues affect the markets

FAQs

What should you understand about technical interviews and their purpose?

Technical interviews focus on key role-relevant knowledge and help the interviewer assess both your depth and how quickly you can learn what you don’t know. They also test how you think across the boundaries of your knowledge.

How do you decide what level of technical knowledge to demonstrate?

The required level depends on your previous experience and study, the division you are interviewing with, and the specific interviewer’s expectations. The interviewer may not be looking for one “right” answer, but for progress in solving the problem.

What are examples of technical topics and sample questions in the document?

Topics include core finance and market concepts, regulations and industry news, valuation techniques, and financial statement analysis. Sample questions cover recent FT articles, stock pitching and investment ideas, probability/expected value puzzles, guesstimates like ping pong balls in a 747, and balance-sheet walkthroughs.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Connor