Swiss Finance
A Day in the Life of a
Swiss Finance Resident
Curious about what life is like as a Swiss Finance resident?
In this video, one of our residents reflects on a typical day in the Analyst & Associate Residency — including the responsibilities, expectations, and professional growth that define the experience.
The Residency Experience
Meet Our Residents
Our residents are a select group of high-performing individuals immersed in a rigorous, real-world investment banking environment. Each day blends structured training, live deal exposure, and close collaboration with experienced professionals, mirroring the pace, standards, and expectations of top global financial institutions.
This residency is designed to move beyond theory. Residents sharpen technical skills, develop sound judgment under pressure, and gain firsthand insight into how investment decisions are evaluated, executed, and communicated at the highest level. What follows is a look into a typical day—capturing the discipline, intensity, and growth that define the Swiss Finance Institute residency experience.
Trading Residents, Interns & Analysts
Market Preparation & Strategic Orientation
9:00am – 9:45am
Global Market Overview: The day begins with a structured review of overnight market activity across equities, rates, FX, commodities, and volatility. Residents focus on identifying what drove price action and how global developments may influence the trading session ahead.
9:45am – 10:45am
Market Structure & Analytical Frameworks: Participants deepen their analysis by examining market structure, positioning, and risk dynamics. This session emphasizes disciplined interpretation—moving beyond headlines to understand liquidity, volatility, and relative value relationships.
10:45am – 11:30am
Discussion & Idea Exploration: Residents engage in guided discussion with peers and senior team members, testing assumptions, refining perspectives, and learning how professional traders evaluate ideas before they are ever acted upon.
Morning Learning Focus:
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Building macro awareness across asset classes
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Interpreting price action within market and economic context
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Developing disciplined, structured analytical thinking
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Learning how professionals frame and challenge market narratives
What This Experience Builds
Through daily exposure to structured market analysis, disciplined execution, and performance review, the trading residency develops the habits and judgment required in professional trading environments.
Participants leave the program with a stronger technical foundation, a refined approach to risk, and a clearer understanding of how institutional traders think, act, and make decisions under pressure.
This experience is designed for individuals who are serious about building long-term careers in trading, markets, and capital allocation.
Investment Relations Professional
Market Context, Portfolio Awareness & Messaging Alignment
9:00am – 9:45am
Global Market & Macro Overview: The day begins with a focused review of global market developments across equities, rates, FX, commodities, and macroeconomic indicators. Participants assess how overnight market movements and news may influence portfolio positioning and investor perception. The emphasis is on understanding context—what matters, why it matters, and how it should be communicated.
9:45am – 10:45am
Portfolio & Strategy Familiarization: Participants review portfolio-level updates, strategy notes, and performance drivers prepared by investment teams. This session ensures a deep and current understanding of how strategies are positioned, where risk resides, and what developments may be relevant for investor communication.
10:45am – 11:30am
Internal Coordination & Messaging Alignment: Senior IR participants engage in structured coordination with investment and leadership teams. The focus is on aligning messaging, clarifying assumptions, and ensuring investor-facing narratives are precise, defensible, and consistent with firm strategy.
Morning Learning Focus:
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Developing market-aware investor communication
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Understanding portfolio narratives and performance drivers
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Aligning messaging with investment strategy and risk
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Building precision and consistency in professional communication
What This Experience Builds
Through daily exposure to institutional investor communications, portfolio awareness, and strategic alignment, the Senior Investor Relations experience develops the judgment, clarity, and discretion required in professional capital markets environments.
Participants build the ability to translate complex investment strategies and performance data into clear, credible messaging for sophisticated stakeholders. Over time, they develop a deeper understanding of how trust is established, relationships are managed, and long-term capital partnerships are sustained.
This experience is designed for individuals who are serious about pursuing careers in investor relations, asset management, or leadership roles within investment organizations.
12:00pm–12:30pm
Quick lunch, usually at the desk. Markets don’t pause, and neither does research momentum.
12:30pm–2:30pm
U.S. pre-open preparation. I monitor changes in liquidity, futures positioning, and volatility pricing as U.S. participants come online.
I update internal notes, adjust assumptions in models if needed, and flag any setups that may require attention once U.S. markets open.
2:30pm–4:30pm
U.S. market open and active monitoring. I track live market behavior versus expectations, focusing on:
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Delta, gamma, and vega exposure
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Intraday correlation shifts
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Liquidity pockets and execution considerations
I help manage risk by updating exposures and supporting traders with real-time analytics.
4:30pm–6:30pm
Post-open analysis and iteration. Some trade ideas get validated, others break. I document outcomes, refine rules, and adjust models accordingly.
This is also when I research new strategies or academic ideas and test whether they survive contact with real market data.
6:30pm onwards
Depending on volatility, the day winds down or continues. I clean up code, finalize notes, and prepare for the next session. During stressed markets, later evenings are common.
Final Remarks
This role is demanding and intellectually intense. You’re expected to think independently, accept being wrong often, and learn quickly. The upside is direct exposure to real capital, real risk, and how global macro trading actually works in practice.
For someone serious about markets, it’s a steep but highly formative learning curve.
Trading
Resident
Interns &
Analysts
(click below)
A Day in the Life of a Trading Resident Analyst at Britannica Capital
London, Mayfair
Role & Context
The Trading Resident Analyst role sits directly within the investment engine of the firm. The focus is on market analysis, trade idea generation, options and risk analytics, and continuous improvement of quantitative and rule-based trading systems. It’s a learning-intensive role with real exposure to live markets, global macro decision-making, and portfolio risk.
The day is structured around international market hours and team interaction across regions.
8:30am–9:30am
The day begins with a global market scan. I review overnight price action in Asia and early Europe, focusing on rates, FX, equity index futures, commodities, and volatility surfaces.
The goal is to identify what actually moved markets, where liquidity thinned or expanded, and whether moves align with macro narratives or technical dislocations.
9:30am–10:00am
At the office, I dig deeper into market structure and positioning. This includes:
Reviewing yield curve shifts and rate vol dynamics
Checking options greeks and exposure across key underlyings
Flagging unusual flows or volatility skew changes
I document observations and potential trade ideas, especially around convexity, carry, and relative value.
10:00am–10:30am
Team interaction window. I discuss ideas with senior traders and researchers, stress-testing assumptions and getting feedback. Some ideas die quickly, others get refined.
This is also when I coordinate with quants on data integrity, signal behavior, or model outputs that look inconsistent with market reality.
10:30am–12:00pm
Deep work block. Depending on priorities, this may include:
Backtesting a new strategy or variation
Analyzing options structures and greek behavior under stress scenarios
Exploring macro-driven arbitrage ideas, such as rates or fixed income relative value
Improving Python code used for signal generation, risk rules, or execution logic
This is where theory meets data. Most ideas fail here, which is expected.
Career destinations
Alumni Placement
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Portfolio Construction & Risk Oversight
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10:30am–12:00pm
Investor calls and meetings, mostly with European allocators. These range from existing investors to prospective family offices, fund-of-funds, or advisors.
At the analyst level, I support the discussion by providing data, taking detailed notes, and handling follow-ups. Over time, participation becomes more active as understanding deepens.
12:00pm–12:30pm
Lunch, usually quick and functional. Often eaten at the desk or between meetings. The schedule is driven by markets and investors, not fixed breaks.
12:30pm–2:00pm
Follow-ups from morning calls. This includes:
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Sending summaries
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Preparing tailored materials
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Updating CRM and internal tracking
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Coordinating with compliance or operations if needed
This is also when I work on longer-term IR projects, such as refining pitch materials, investor FAQs, or performance attribution explanations.
2:00pm–4:30pm
Preparation for U.S. market open. This is a critical window. I review updated market conditions, monitor any changes in volatility or macro sentiment, and align with the investment team on anything that may impact investor conversations later in the day.
Often this includes preparing briefing notes for U.S.-based investors or setting up calls for later in the afternoon.
4:30pm–6:30pm
U.S. investor calls and meetings begin. These can run back-to-back depending on demand. The role requires staying sharp late into the day, especially when markets are volatile.
I support senior professionals by ensuring materials are current, numbers are correct, and follow-ups are handled promptly.
6:30pm–7:00pm
Dinner break, usually brief. Markets are still open in the U.S., so this is often more of a pause than a true break.
7:00pm–9:00pm
Late-day execution and clean-up. This includes:
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Finalizing investor updates
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Reviewing any end-of-day performance notes
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Preparing materials for the next morning
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Handling last-minute investor questions
This is also when unexpected requests tend to come in. Flexibility is essential.
9:00pm onwards
Depending on market conditions, the day winds down or continues. On quieter days, I’m done earlier. During volatile periods or active fundraising phases, later nights are normal.
Final Remarks
No two days look exactly the same. The role demands intellectual curiosity, composure under pressure, and a genuine interest in global markets. You’re close to decision-makers, exposed to real capital, and expected to think critically from day one.
For someone interested in global macro, markets, and high-level investor interaction, it’s a demanding but uniquely educational seat.
Senior IR
A Day in the Life of an Investor Relations Analyst at Britannica Capital
London, Mayfair
Role & Context
Britannica Capital is a global macro, quantitative hedge fund. The Investor Relations function sits at the intersection of portfolio management, research, and external capital. At the analyst level, the role is a mix of markets, communication, and execution. You’re expected to understand the strategy deeply, track global macro developments in real time, and support senior IR and investment professionals in managing relationships with sophisticated investors across time zones.
Because markets drive everything, the day is structured around global market hours rather than a fixed corporate schedule. Flexibility and responsiveness matter.
6:45am–7:30am
The day starts early. I review overnight market action in Asia and early Europe. This includes rates, FX, equity index futures, commodities, and any macro or geopolitical headlines that could impact positioning or investor conversations later in the day.
This is quiet, focused time. The goal is to understand what actually moved markets, not just scan headlines.
7:30am–8:30am
At the office in Mayfair or logged in remotely if needed. I go through internal market notes, portfolio-level updates, and risk summaries prepared by the trading and research teams.
I help prepare a concise internal market brief, highlighting key macro drivers, volatility changes, and any investor-relevant developments. These briefs are used internally and often form the basis for external investor communication.
8:30am–9:15am
Coordination with the investment team. This might include short stand-ups or ad hoc conversations with portfolio managers or senior analysts to clarify positioning, risk exposures, or recent performance drivers.
Accuracy matters. Investor-facing communication has to be precise, consistent, and defensible.
9:15am–10:30am
Email and task execution window. This includes:
Responding to investor inquiries
Updating investor materials or data rooms
Reviewing performance reports and fact sheets
Preparing talking points for upcoming calls or meetings
At this stage, I’m often working through feedback from senior IR or the CIO on messaging and positioning.
The Swiss Finance Residency is designed as professional formation, mirroring the pace and expectations of institutional finance roles.
Each day built confidence — not through theory, but through execution.
A Day in the Life of an Investor Relations Professional
The day begins early, often before arriving at the office. A short commute provides time to scan overnight headlines, review market movements, and mentally prepare for potential client questions. Investor Relations is as much about anticipation as it is about response.
By the time the workday starts, momentum is already building. The morning is typically focused on execution: reviewing emails, logging investor interactions, tracking pipelines, and coordinating with internal teams. Follow-ups are sent, materials are prepared, and requests for pitch decks or fact sheets are addressed with speed and precision.
As markets move and conversations evolve, responsiveness matters. Investor-facing roles require clarity, accuracy, and the ability to communicate developments in real time — often across multiple stakeholders and time zones.
Midday offers a brief reset before the afternoon shifts into a more externally focused rhythm. Calls with investors, follow-ups from earlier discussions, and preparation for the following day define the latter half of the schedule. Attention to detail remains constant, as each interaction contributes to long-term relationships and capital formation objectives.
The day concludes with preparation rather than closure — ensuring that priorities are aligned, materials are ready, and momentum carries forward into the next session.
There are many ways to learn investment banking or hedge fund finance.
There are very few ways to be allowed inside it.
The Analyst Residency is a selective, founder-led apprenticeship designed for a small number of individuals seeking real exposure to institutional capital, allocator logic, and live financial operations.
This is not a course.
It is not an internship in the conventional sense.
And it is not designed for mass participation.
Participants are embedded into a real operating environment across investment banking, institutional fundraising, and hedge fund infrastructure, under direct oversight. The work is live. The standards are high. The margin for error is real.
The Residency exists for one reason: to identify, shape, and pressure-test individuals who may be capable of operating at a professional level in high-stakes financial environments, even if they did not arrive through traditional pedigree pipelines.
Admission is limited. Capacity is fixed. Access is earned.
Swiss Finance operates analyst programs across investment banking and capital market functions in London, New York, and Stockholm.
Participants hold analyst designations and execute work integral to transaction advisory, capital raising, and client service operations. Placements involve direct participation in live mandates including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, and strategic advisory engagements.
The program structure accommodates individuals seeking substantive exposure to institutional investment banking including institutional sales and capital raise. Participants work within established deal teams under supervision of senior bankers and managing directors.
Duration: Four to eight months
Locations: London (Mayfair) | New York (Manhattan) | Stockholm (Östermalm)
Commencement: Rolling start dates throughout calendar year
Selection: Less than 5% of applicants receive placement offers
With over US$1 billion under management, Swiss Finance and affiliate hedge funds maintain operations and institutional infra across multiple jurisdictions.
Research Areas
What This Actually is: Analyst Responsibilities
The Analyst Residency is best understood as an apprenticeship under constraint.
Participants are not “trained” in isolation. They are placed inside an active capital environment and expected to develop functional competence through responsibility, repetition, and feedback.
You will observe how decisions are made when capital, reputation, and timing are at stake. You will contribute to real research, outreach, and execution tasks. You will see how institutional narratives are built, tested, and defended. You will also be evaluated continuously. This is not a safe sandbox.
Analysts execute technical and analytical work supporting transaction execution and client deliverables.
Institutional Sales:
Researching and networking with allocators, investors and capital providers to support capital raising efforts for clients and affiliate funds.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
Financial modeling for acquisition scenarios and merger analyses. Valuation work including discounted cash flow, comparable company, and precedent transaction methodologies. Due diligence coordination and information memorandum preparation. Pitch material development and presentation support.
Capital Markets:
Debt and equity financing documentation. Market research and investor positioning analysis. Roadshow material preparation. Underwriting and syndication support for capital raises.
Strategic Advisory:
Corporate strategy analysis and competitive positioning research. Market entry and expansion opportunity assessment. Financial restructuring and recapitalization planning. Board presentation materials and strategic recommendations.
Client Service:
Direct interaction with corporate clients, private equity sponsors, and institutional investors. Preparation of confidential information memoranda and management presentations. Coordination with legal counsel, accountants, and other transaction advisors.
Work product contributes directly to active client mandates. Analysts participate in transactions that close and generate fees for the firm.
Who This is For
The Residency is designed for a very specific profile.
It is for individuals who are intellectually capable, but under-signaled. People who did not come through Ivy League pipelines, or who lack the conventional résumé markers that open doors automatically.
It is for those who understand that access, proximity, and judgment matter more than certificates.
It is not for tourists. It is not for people seeking a brand stamp without contribution. And it is not compatible with half-commitment.
The firm advises hedge funds, corporate clients, financial sponsors, and institutional investors on strategic transactions and capital markets activities. Swiss Finance operates through entities maintaining institutional standards appropriate to hedge funds and investment banking practice including regulatory compliance in relevant jurisdictions, established relationships with legal counsel and audit firms, office facilities in premium financial centers to provide easy access for our fund and investment banking clients and investors to visit us, and cutting-edge market technology and data infrastructure including disaster recovery and business continuity plans, sites, and infra.
Structure, Duration, and Candidate Requirements
The standard Residency runs four to eight months.
For candidates whose academic calendar ends in early May, the program can be structured as:
• An intensive four-month in-person phase (May–August), followed by
• A remote continuation phase at flexible times, focused on defined deliverables, ongoing exposure, and alumni-level access.
This structure reflects reality. Competence is not developed in eight to twelve weeks. It takes time to internalize allocator logic, research standards, and professional judgment. The continuation phase exists to complete that arc.
Swiss Finance seeks individuals demonstrating analytical capability, professional conduct, and substantive interest in investment banking, private equity and hedge fund careers.
Previous program participants have included recent university graduates, professionals transitioning from consulting or corporate finance, and international candidates with relevant academic or professional backgrounds.
Prior investment banking experience is not required. Technical proficiency in financial modeling and valuation can be developed through program participation. Professional maturity and capacity for demanding work environments are essential.
Participants must be prepared for extended working hours typical of transaction advisory work.
Economic Structure
Participation in the Analyst Residency is fee-based, not employment-based.
The program fee is US$50,000. This reflects the cost of access, supervision, infrastructure, and founder bandwidth. It also exists as an alignment mechanism. Fewer than 5% of applicants are accepted. Investment banking frequently requires evening and weekend availability when transactions demand it. Individuals unable to accommodate intensive work schedules should not apply.
Experience of this depth cannot be offered freely without degrading outcomes on both sides.
Details are discussed only after mutual fit is established.
Program Structure
Placement provides:
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Formal analyst title and designation
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Office access in London, New York, or Stockholm
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Participation in live hedge fund or capital markets environment.
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Supervision by senior hedge fund and investment banking professionals
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Professional credential for investment banking career progression
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Limited visa and immigration support for the program, depending on location.
Placement into the Residency does not provide:
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Employment compensation or salary
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Housing or accommodation support
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Structured training curriculum beyond on-the-job learning
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Post-program employment guarantees
Swiss Finance cannot sponsor employment visas for program participation but may assist with other visa types that may satisfy regulatory requirements for this program.
Office Locations
