Episode 17: Why the Big Four Path Still Works for Investment Banking - with Jesse Hall

Welcome to the SEVENTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 💥For this week's episode we're joined by Jesse Hall, an Investment Banking Associate at J.P. Morgan, currently working in the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) team in London. Born and raised in South West London, Jesse took a leap after A-levels to study Financial Mathematics at the University of Nottingham, where his journey into finance truly began. From student investment societies to mastering technical skills, he laid the groundwork early.After university, Jesse kicked off his career at KPMG, qualifying as both a Chartered Accountant and CFA charterholder. Now at J.P. Morgan, he’s spent the past three years advising FIG clients across Europe from the heart of Canary Wharf. In this episode, Jesse shares practical advice on navigating the demanding world of investment banking covering everything from building credibility, surviving long hours, and continuously investing in your own development. A must-listen for any aspiring banker or curious mind! 💼Guest Contacts: Jesse Hall - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessejameshall/Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 🎙️3:01 - An Unconventional Start: From Car Boot Sales to Wimbledon 🎾8:04 - The University Journey & Finding a Focus 🎓11:50 - The Chartered Accountant "Floor": Starting at a Big Four 🏢15:12 - The Strategic Climb: From Audit to FIG M&A 🚀21:02 - The Lateral Move: Breaking into JP Morgan 💼31:55 - Culture Shock & The Push for Perfection 💥35:40 - A Day in the Life of an IB Associate 📈42:33 - Investment Banking 101: A Breakdown for Students ✍️50:38 - Advice for Breaking In & Navigating Your Career 🧠55:29 - What Does Success Look Like? Plans & Final Reflections ✨1:00:48 - The Biggest Takeaway: Your Journey Isn't Set in Stone 💌1:01:30 - Outro 👋As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚 Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.