Man learnt to invest a long time ago, but investment banking

has a relatively short history. It wasn't until the Dutch East

India Company, VOC, started issuing bonds and shares of stock

to the general public that investment banking saw the light of

the day. But since then, the services provided by investment

banks has grown exponentially and it is today considered to be

one of the most lucrative segments of financial institutions.

Investment banking is different from commercial or retail banks

in the fact that they do not take deposits. But this is not the

only difference, there are other things that make investment

banking unlike any other form of banking. There are a number

of functions performed by investment banks. Investment

bankers in the U.S. must be a licensed broker-dealer and they

must follow the rules and regulations laid down by the

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial

Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Knowing the history of investment banking, the manner in

which it has evolved over the period of time and the different

services that it offers can help anyone who wants to be an

investment banker or who is interested in investment banking.