Investment banks are financial institutions that assists individuals and corporations in raising capital for business ventures. They do this by becoming the agent of their client when it comes to issuing securities. They could also help companies that are undergoing mergers and acquisitions and perform other financial duties that could help their clients. They differ from commercial and retail banks by not taking deposits. The United States maintained a policy of distinguishing investment banks from commercial banks, a policy that was maintained for several decades until 1999. Other industrialized countries have kept no such distinctions.
There are two main lines of business that an investment bank can be engaged in. The first one involves the trading or the promotion of securities. This is usually called the “sell side” of their business. The second line of business which is also the “buy side” involves dealing with funds. Most investment bank are engage with both sides of their business. The information that is handled by such banks can also be classified into two categories, the first one deals with what could be considered as private information while second one are data that can be given out to the public. An example of the later are stock market analysis that are made public.
An investment bank ranking can be a good way for finding the right source of advice and help in handling finances and assistance during mergers and acquisitions. There are a lot of parameters by which investment banks are ranked. Credit ratings companies are usually the ones that do the rankings. Aside from the regular side of business in which investment banks are engaged they are also awarded points in the way that they assist the general public.
Here are some information on the rankings of some of the leading investment baks in the world today. These are according to some of the parameters as set by the credit rating companies that does the rankings.
You might notice that these are according to the business sectors that they are mainly engaged in:
Middle Market Merger and Acquisitions Advisor- Citigroup is the best investment banker in this category. There was a period when they were able to finalize over 130 deals between companies. Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin comes as a close second filed by JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley respectively. This ranking was made to include the deals where the amount that changed hands were undisclosed.
Bankruptcy League Tables- Mesirow Finacial came in first under this category. They handled about 45 cases at the time when the ranking was made. Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin follows closely at second spot both with about 29 cases under their belt.
Defense Merger and Acquisitions Advisor- Jefferies and Company is the leading investment banker under this category with 14 deals to their credit. Second spot is shared by Wachovia Corporation and Needham and Company. The ranking includes all announced deals within the United States, North America, and Western Europe.
Your can try getting more information of investment bank ranking under other categories.