On January 29, 2025, the MCF class had the opportunity to meet Roberto Ferraris, Managing Director at Nomura, as part of the MCF Leaders in Finance Series. The event, held at SDA Bocconi (Milan), was moderated by Professor Federico Pippo, who led the discussion on Mr. Ferraris’ career journey, investment banking experiences, and differences between working at the US and Japanese Invest Bank.
Mr. Ferraris, who holds a summa cum laude degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University and attended the MBA program at the Carlson School of Management, shared his over 20 years of experience in global financial markets. Throughout his career, he has advised clients on M&A, leveraged buyouts (LBO), and equity capital markets (ECM) transactions, completing more than 50 deals with a total value exceeding €100 billion.
The discussion began with reflections on his university years and early career decisions. It was followed by insights into how to build a successful career in investment banking, emphasizing key skills, strategic choices, and industry adaptability. He explained that while Citi operates with a highly structured, fast-paced, and process-driven culture, Nomura emphasizes relationship-driven banking, long-term strategies, and a more nuanced approach to deal execution.
Students engaged actively, asking questions about the differences between working at an American and Japanese bank, challenges in investment banking, career development, and key industry trends. Mr. Ferraris highlighted the importance of adaptability, resilience, and technical skills in thriving in investment banking.
The session concluded with valuable career advice, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking, continuous learning, and strong client relationships to build a sustainable career in global finance.
SDA Bocconi School of Management
Unlocking Europe's Unicorn Potential, empowering VC, PE and Entrepreneurs to grow from Startup to Scale-up in the FFF (Food, Fashion, and Furniture) and FS (Financial Services) Tech Sectors.
Padroneggiare strumenti e processi e affinare le soft skill utili alla funzione di controllo direzionale nel contesto di un’impresa sostenibile.
Il corso offre una panoramica completa delle strategie di investimento che si basano su progetti di impatto.
