If you want to become an investment banker, you must read the best investment banking books. These books help you understand how deals work, how companies raise money, and how to make financial models. Many people try to learn investment banking from videos or online courses. But books give you a strong base. They explain each concept slowly and clearly. That is why reading the right books is important for every finance student and job seeker.
So, what are the best investment banking books? Some books focus on financial modeling. Others explain mergers, IPOs, and market deals. A few tell real stories of bankers and how they work. These books help you build skills, learn terms, and grow your thinking. Many top investment bankers started their journey by reading these books.
Why Read Investment Banking Books?
Books give deep knowledge that you can’t always find in short videos or blogs. When you read, you learn at your own speed. You get full examples, case studies, and tools that you can use in your job or course.
If you want to build a strong base in finance, reading books is a must. These books explain hard topics like DCF, IPO, and M&A in a simple way. They also show how to apply these ideas in real life. Books also help in interview prep. Many candidates read books to answer technical questions, build confidence, and learn how bankers think. Books are useful even after you get the job, as they keep your knowledge strong. Benefits of reading IB books:
- You understand core concepts in depth.
- You learn how to use finance tools and terms.
- You prepare better for job interviews.
- You stay updated on industry standards and strategies.
- You grow confidence in modeling and valuation tasks.
Reading 3–4 good investment banking books can give you a major edge over others in the same field.
Best Investment Banking Books for Beginners
If you are just starting out, you need books that explain everything from scratch. These beginner books use simple words, real examples, and clear charts. They show how deals work, how banks make money, and what skills you need.
These books are great for students in B.Com, BBA, or MBA. They also help freshers who want to enter the finance field.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Description |
| Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers & Acquisitions | Joshua Rosenbaum and Joshua Pearl | The most popular book that teaches valuation, modeling, and real-life investment banking deals. |
| Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle | John Rolfe and Peter Troob | A fun and humorous book that shows the real life of junior bankers through personal stories. |
| The Business of Investment Banking | K. Thomas Liaw | A detailed guide that explains how investment banks work and what services they offer. |
| Investment Banking Explained | Michel Fleuriet | Gives a complete overview of what investment bankers do and how they approach decision-making. |
These books explain technical terms in an easy way. They are great for starting your investment banking journey.
Books on Financial Modeling and Valuation
Financial modeling is the most important skill in investment banking. You must learn how to use Excel, build forecasts, and value companies. Many books teach this with step-by-step guides and sample models. You will find models on DCF, LBO, and M&A. These books also give Excel tips, case studies, and model-building tricks.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Description |
| Investment Banking Workbook | Rosenbaum and Pearl | A hands-on workbook with practical examples to practice building financial models. |
| Equity Asset Valuation | Jerald E. Pinto | A CFA-level book ideal for mastering deep valuation techniques and frameworks. |
| Financial Modeling | Simon Benninga | A clear and structured textbook that teaches Excel-based financial modeling. |
| Damodaran on Valuation | Aswath Damodaran | A timeless classic that covers multiple approaches to valuing companies. |
These books take time to read and apply. But they build strong knowledge for your job or interviews.
Books for Interview Preparation and Case Studies
If you are preparing for investment banking interviews, you need books that show questions and how to answer them. Many books cover technical questions, brainteasers, and case studies used in real interviews.
These books help you get ready for analyst roles. They also show how to present answers, think like a banker, and explain your work clearly.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Description |
| Investment Banking Interview Prep Guide | CFI Team | A helpful book to revise valuation, modeling, and market questions before interviews. |
| The Vault Guide to Finance Interviews | Vault Editors | A comprehensive guide full of technical and HR questions asked by top firms. |
| Mergers and Inquisitions Interview Guide | Brian DeChesare | Written by a banker-turned-coach to guide candidates with prep and mindset. |
| Breaking Into Wall Street Guide | BIWS Course (Free Resource) | Includes sample answers and Excel tasks to help pass real investment banking interviews. |
These books help you practice answers and handle real interview pressure.
Books About Real-Life Banking and Deals
Apart from learning theory, you should also read books that share real stories. These books tell you what happens in a deal, how bankers behave, and what life is like in top firms. Some books are funny, some are serious, and all are full of useful lessons.
These books keep you motivated and give you a real picture of the finance world.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Description |
| Liar’s Poker | Michael Lewis | A funny and eye-opening story about life at Salomon Brothers in the 1980s. |
| Barbarians at the Gate | Bryan Burrough | Covers one of the biggest buyouts ever, filled with real-world finance lessons. |
| Too Big to Fail | Andrew Ross Sorkin | A gripping account of the 2008 financial crisis and how major institutions responded. |
| The Accidental Investment Banker | Jonathan Knee | A personal journey through the world of investment banking with insights and advice. |
These books help you see the human side of banking and learn from history.
Books for Advanced Learning
Once you know the basics, you can go for deeper books. These books teach advanced models, big deal planning, and global finance trends. They are good for people already working in finance or those planning an MBA. You can use these books to grow in your role and take on bigger challenges.
| Book Title | Author(s) | Description |
| Investment Valuation | Aswath Damodaran | A detailed guide for professionals and MBA students covering deep insights into valuation methods. |
| M&A Integration Handbook | Scott Whitaker | Explains how to manage post-merger integration and team coordination |
These books help you prepare for VP or Associate level work in top banks.
How to Use These Books Effectively
Reading books is great. But you must use them the right way. Just reading without applying may not help much. You should try to take notes, build sample models, and use the ideas in real case studies. Try to study 1–2 hours daily. Pick one book at a time and finish it before moving on. Practice what you read in Excel or during mock interviews.
Step 1: Start with beginner books and read one chapter daily.
Step 2: Use a notebook to write key ideas or formulas.
Step 3: Try making small models on Excel using book examples.
Step 4: Discuss with friends or join online study groups.
Step 5: Solve end-of-chapter questions and revise weekly.
This way, your learning will stay strong and useful in the long term.
Investment Banking Books FAQs
1. Which is the best investment banking book for beginners?
“Investment Banking” by Rosenbaum and Pearl is the best for beginners and explains every concept clearly.
2. Do I need to read books to crack IB interviews?
Yes. Books help you learn models, terms, and questions asked in real interviews.
3. Are these books useful for CFA or MBA students?
Yes. Many of these books support CFA or MBA finance subjects and can help in classes and exams.
4. Where can I buy these investment banking books in India?
You can buy them on Amazon, Flipkart, or download Kindle versions. Many are available in college libraries too.5. How many books should I read before applying for jobs?
Start with 2–3 solid books. Read one on concepts, one on interviews, and one with real-life stories.
