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Commercial banker vs investment banker

The differences between commercial bankers and investment bankers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a commercial banker, becoming an investment banker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an investment banker has an average salary of $162,715, which is higher than the $78,697 average annual salary of a commercial banker.

The top three skills for a commercial banker include customer service, business development and treasury. The most important skills for an investment banker are financial services, discounted cash flow, and capital markets.

Commercial banker vs investment banker overview

Commercial BankerInvestment Banker
Yearly salary$78,697$162,715
Hourly rate$37.84$78.23
Growth rate4%10%
Number of jobs45,27028,460
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4543
Years of experience64

What does a commercial banker do?

A commercial banker is responsible for providing financial advice and selling financial instruments to corporate clients according to their business needs and specifications. Commercial bankers process the opening and registration of corporate client accounts, updating the clients with current financial services, and resolving account disputes. They also manage investment options and identify opportunities that would help the bank gain more prospective clients that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. A commercial banker must have excellent knowledge of the banking industry to determine banking solutions for clients for their best interests.

What does an investment banker do?

An investment banker is responsible for selling and issuing securities and financial assets to the stock markets to generate money and raise capital for organizations and financial institutions. Investment bankers also work with private clients to advise them of investment options and financial transactions according to the market's condition and clients' interests. They handle the clients' investment portfolios and create propositions for acquisitions and company mergers. An investment banker must have excellent knowledge of the financial and stock industry, as well as having excellent analytical skills to review statistical data and determine the best financial strategies.

Commercial banker vs investment banker salary

Commercial bankers and investment bankers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Commercial BankerInvestment Banker
Average salary$78,697$162,715
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $121,000Between $95,000 And $276,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoAlaska
Best paying companyNorthern TrustCiti
Best paying industryFinanceReal Estate

Differences between commercial banker and investment banker education

There are a few differences between a commercial banker and an investment banker in terms of educational background:

Commercial BankerInvestment Banker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Commercial banker vs investment banker demographics

Here are the differences between commercial bankers' and investment bankers' demographics:

Commercial BankerInvestment Banker
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 63.5% Female, 36.5%Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 12.4% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between commercial banker and investment banker duties and responsibilities

Commercial banker example responsibilities.

  • Establish leads by building upon existing clientele and developing relationships with major centers of influence including CPA's and attorneys.
  • Manage and develop commercial lenders and administrative assistants.
  • Manage commercial customer portfolios by using profile analysis to identify cross-sell opportunities to sell other products and services.
  • Manage origination initiatives associate with business accounts, treasury products, and loans while adhering to bank compliance procedures.
  • Develop strategies for optimal cash flow optimization through complex treasury and cash management solutions couple with appropriate credit instruments.
  • Train processors, establish compliance policy, establish and maintain business relationships with lenders and builders.
  • Show more

Investment banker example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Bloomberg system and company proprietary research to actively monitor portfolios and manage trading activities to achieve customers' goals.
  • Provide service for existing brokerage accounts, manage accounts, annuities, and securities-base lines of credit.
  • Attain NMLS identification number for mortgage origination.
  • Generate reporting data from Salesforce platform to facilitate growth and manage firm operations.
  • Manage customer portfolios, service relationships, and used profiling analysis tools to identify cross-selling opportunities.
  • Manage a variety of internal initiatives including merchandising, cross-selling, customer retention programs and promotional campaigns.
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Commercial banker vs investment banker skills

Common commercial banker skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Business Development, 8%
  • Treasury, 8%
  • Commercial Banking, 7%
  • Client Relationships, 6%
  • Financial Services, 5%
Common investment banker skills
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Discounted Cash Flow, 6%
  • Capital Markets, 6%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 4%
  • Securities, 4%

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