ING
Name |
Niki Geerts |
Based in |
Amsterdam |
Job title and business area |
Analyst Corporate Finance | M&A |
Year joined ING |
2023 |
Year attended the International Banking Cycle |
2021 |
The International Banking Cycle (IBC) was my first investment banking recruitment event and a definite success, as this is where my career at ING started. My passion for economics and numbers led me to pursue a bachelor degree in Econometrics at the University of Amsterdam, followed by a master in Financial Econometrics at de Vrije Universiteit.Throughout my studies, my interest in Finance grew, particularly in understanding how businesses operate and what drives their success. However, I was still unsure of the specific career path I wanted to pursue.
During the IBC, I had the opportunity to visit several banks, one of which was ING. The day began with a presentation, followed by an M&A case study, and concluded with networking drinks. The presentation sparked my enthusiasm about M&A and about what ING does in general. Also, the case allowed us to put theory into practice. During the case, we were guided by ING juniors as well as seniors who were not only passionate about helping us but also challenged us to approach the case from a logical perspective. The exposure to different banks helped me determine that ING and its people were the best fit for me.
Following the event, I was invited to interview for an internship position at the ING headquarters and I gladly accepted the offer. I started my internship in April 2022, which gave me the chance to dive into various industries and businesses, whilst simultaneously challenging my analytical and quantitative skills. Beyond the day-to-day work, the internshipprovides you with a network of enthusiastic, eager and like-minded people who are truly passionate about their work.
Given the positive experience of my internship, where I thoroughly enjoyed the content of the work and liked the dynamic and open atmosphere of the team, I decided to join ING as an analyst in April 2023. What sets ING apart is that it has the largest Corporate Finance team in the Benelux, handling a high volume of M&A transactions across a wide range of sectors. This environment offers me the opportunity to work on diverse deals, interact with colleagues and clients professionally, and participate in many social activities.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to connect with as many people as you can and attend several recruitment events. The end of your studies is a crucial period for discovering the career path and company that suits you best, and talking to people is the most effective way to gain insights. Additionally, being able to support your application with experiences and stories from those already working at the company gives you an edge in the process. For now, have fun exploring!