My professional journey thus far has been incredibly enriching, providing me with valuable learning experiences along the way. For the past 11 years, I’ve been deeply involved in investment banking and capital markets.I began my career in finance at Deutsche Bank, working in Capital Markets where I specialised in structuring debt within emerging markets. Although I found my role fulfilling, I felt compelled to explore the more developed and sophisticated financial markets, which prompted my decision to relocate to the United States. There, I joined the leveraged finance practice at Macquarie Capital.
Leveraging my structured finance background from emerging markets, I found myself with a head start in my new role at Macquarie. It provided me with exposure to some of the most advanced and high-volume syndicated debt markets globally. Additionally, I had the opportunity to analyse businesses across various sectors, which broadened my understanding of different business models and industries.
However, my ambition to expand my expertise within the investment banking realm, particularly in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), led me to transition to a coverage role at Jefferies. In this role, I had the privilege of offering a wide range of investment banking services, with a specific focus on the Services sector.
Presently, I serve as a Director at Deutsche Bank, where I continue to provide comprehensive investment banking services to businesses within the Services sector.
Your journey is truly fascinating. What prompted your choice to pursue a career in finance? Was it a lifelong aspiration, or did something specific inspire this direction? Tell us more about your background and what brought you to this point.
I come from an engineering background. Coming from a relatively small town in India, my exposure to the corporate world and its opportunities was quite limited. Nevertheless, I always had a natural inclination towards numbers and analytical problem-solving. Upon graduating from college in 2007, I started a career in data analytics consulting. This role required me to analyse data and provide insights to inform business decisions.
During my early career at EXL, I received notable recognition and was selected for a pivotal project involving Asia’s largest commercial bank. This experience exposed me to the dynamic realm of finance, which was particularly intriguing against the backdrop of the global financial crisis. As I delved deeper into the subject, my interest in finance grew, prompting me to make the transition.
Acknowledging the importance of expanding my skill set and knowledge base, I pursued a post-graduate diploma programme in management at IIM Indore, specialising in finance. Concurrently, I pursued the CFA certification to further solidify my expertise in the field. As mentioned earlier, I subsequently joined Deutsche Bank Capital Markets, where I focused on structuring debt across Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Certainly, your professional journey has been impressive, navigating through various transitions. How did you decide on your path?
The path has just been driven by genuine curiosity. That’s what initially piqued my interest in the realm of finance. It all began with a simple question: “How did the mortgage crisis in the US cascade into a global crisis?”. This curiosity spurred me to delve deeper into the subject, leading me down a path of continuous exploration as one thing led to another. With a firm belief in my capabilities, I consistently strive to maximise my potential and excel within my chosen field. Along this journey, I’ve been fortunate to encounter numerous mentors – from seniors and colleagues to friends and family – who have provided invaluable guidance and support, helping to shape my trajectory.
It appears you were excelling at Deutsche Bank. What inspired your decision to depart from a comfortable position?
Yes, it was indeed a fantastic opportunity, and I gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from it. My focus revolved around assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets by structuring debt solutions tailored to their specific needs. I’m deeply appreciative of the trust placed in me by my seniors at Deutsche Bank, who extended significant responsibilities beyond the scope of my position and experience. However, I started to feel constrained by the size of the businesses I was supporting. Moreover, the capital markets in emerging countries often lag behind due to factors such as limited sophistication, investor interest, and regulatory framework. I couldn’t help but feel that I was missing out on valuable experiences whenever I would interact with my colleagues in the US.
I aspired to work in the US, drawn to its reputation as one of the largest and most mature financial markets worldwide with substantial depth and liquidity. That was the driving force behind my decision to relocate to the US and pursue a career in investment banking.
Interesting, have the US markets lived up to your expectations?
It has only exceeded expectations. Just from a structural perspective, markets in the US offer unparalleled liquidity, investor diversity and regulatory support. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside multi-billion-dollar corporations and the largest private equity funds, assisting them in securing capital and offering merger and acquisition solutions. Again, I was fortunate with the opportunities that I received here as well.
It sounds like you’ve had a broad range of experiences. Could you elaborate on that?
From the outset of my career in emerging markets, where I collaborated with companies spanning Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa across diverse sectors, to my tenure in the US, my experience has been incredibly diverse and rewarding. I have advised clients varying from pre-revenue start-ups to multi-billion-dollar companies across sectors. The factors influencing business decisions and capital strategies vary significantly depending on geographical location, regulatory landscapes, and financial market sophistication. Throughout my career, I’ve successfully raised capital and assisted clients in navigating complex M&A transactions. Each unique experience has played a pivotal role in enhancing my expertise and proficiency in finance, broadening my skill set and honing my abilities across different facets of the field.
Clearly, you have been very successful professionally and it seems like the best is yet to come. What do you attribute to your success thus far?
I am deeply passionate about what I do, and I approach each opportunity with dedication and enthusiasm. I am constantly committed to learning and staying updated with the latest developments in my field. This has enabled me to adapt to changing circumstances and remain competitive. Remaining aware of the larger goal while consistently putting forth my best effort in everyday tasks has been instrumental in my journey. I am grateful for the invaluable mentorship and guidance I’ve received from my seniors at work, as well as support of friends and family. I’ve encountered challenges along the way, but I’ve learned to persevere and adapt to different situations. This resilience has been crucial in navigating the ups and downs of my career. I believe in the importance of hard work and going the extra mile to deliver results for my clients and employers. This work ethic has earned me trust and credibility in the industry.
Overall, it’s been a combination of passion, continuous learning, resilience, work ethic, and guidance from mentors, friends and family that has contributed to my success thus far, and I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
How have you imparted these insights to emerging professionals in your field?
I find great fulfillment in mentoring my junior colleagues, offering guidance and sharing insights to help them navigate their own professional journeys with confidence and clarity. Through personalised support and constructive feedback, I aim to empower them to reach their full potential and excel in their careers.
We wish Vipul continued success in his future endeavours and hope he achieves even greater financial milestones.
Authored by: Akshay Singh
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