Fumbled a yield curve question pretty bad. Started with a recruiter phone call, then a zoom with a rates trader who asked me to price a bond after a rate move and pitch a macro trade
Questions Asked
1.“What are the three main valuation methodologies and when would you use each?”
2.“Why do companies merge or acquire others? What are common strategic rationales?”
CIBC
Financial Analyst
Toronto, ON
Summer 2026Accepted
University of Waterloo · Mathematical Finance
4th year · 3.3-3.6 GPA · 2 past internships
Hard Interview
TechnicalCase studyMultiple rounds
Had a Hirevue with like 8 questions, a lot of stress, then three 30 minute interviews in a row so you need a bunch of different stories ready. They asked what I knew about CIBC in the news too so do your research beforehand.
Questions Asked
1.“What do you know about CIBC that made you apply?”
2.“How do you approach reconciling data from two different financial systems?”
RBC Capital Markets
Sales & Trading Analyst
Toronto, ON
Winter 2026No Offer
University of Waterloo · Mathematical Finance
3rd year · 3.3-3.6 GPA · 1 past internship
Hard Interview
TechnicalUnexpected QuestionsVirtual
Blanked on a brainteaser and that was that. Recruiter call then zoom with a trader, markets questions were fine
Questions Asked
1.“What is EBITDA and why do investment bankers use it?”
2.“If depreciation increases by $10 how does that flow through all three financial statements?”
TD
Risk Analyst
Kitchener, ON
Fall 2025Declined Offer
University of Waterloo · Mathematical Finance
4th year · 3.3-3.6 GPA · 2 past internships
Average Interview
BehavioralMultiple rounds
The 160 question personality test they make you do before anything else even happens is wild, then had an HR chat and an interview with a floor manager and credit manager together. Questions about emerging trends in banking and whether I see compliance as a long term career, felt like they were testing if I'd stick around
Questions Asked
1.“Describe a time you had to balance risk management with business growth objectives”