Ten vetted programs and firms, plus the three routes veterans use to enter investment banking and finance.
The short version
Veterans move into investment banking and finance through a few clear lanes: an MBA or graduate degree, a direct-hire veteran program at a major firm, or an entry role backed by industry licensing. Most large banks run veteran hiring tracks, and several nonprofits coach you through applications and interviews at no cost. Start early, get your licensing plan straight, and network before you separate.
Source: Veterans on Wall Street
How to use this list
These programs and firms are vetted, not ranked. This is not an endorsement of any employer or organization. Details like eligibility, dates, and program structure change often, so confirm the current specifics on each official site before you commit time or money.
How veterans typically break in
Three routes carry most of the traffic. First, graduate school: an MBA or a master's can reset you into associate or analyst roles, and free counseling can sharpen your application. Second, direct-hire veteran programs: many banks run paid fellowships or rotational tracks built for transitioning service members. Third, licensing: many client-facing and markets roles require exams like the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) plus a Series qualification, which a sponsoring firm generally helps you complete. Pick the lane that fits your timeline and your finances.
The 10 programs and firms
- Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS): a consortium of financial services firms that runs an annual symposium, mentoring, and career events. It is a strong place to map who hires veterans and to meet decision makers. Watch the site for symposium registration.
- Goldman Sachs Veterans Integration Program: a paid, multi-week program that gives transitioning veterans hands-on exposure and mentorship, with a chance to explore full-time roles based on performance and availability. Apply through the Goldman Sachs careers site.
- JPMorgan Chase Military Pathways Development Program: a rotational program that places veterans across lines of business with coaching and training. Review eligibility and timing on the JPMorgan careers site.
- Morgan Stanley Veterans: a veterans hiring page and employee network that point to roles in operations, risk, compliance, and technology, plus mentoring. Start with the veterans careers page.
- Bank of America Military and Veterans: military transition resources, an employee support group, and an accelerated rotational program for recently transitioned veterans. Explore openings on the careers site.
- Citi Salutes: Citi's veterans and military initiative covering talent, mentoring, and a veterans network across many locations. Look for military hiring pathways on Citi's careers site.
- Service to School: free application counseling for undergraduate and graduate programs, including MBA and law, delivered veteran to veteran. Use it if graduate school is part of your finance plan.
- BreakLine: a no-cost education and hiring program that prepares veterans and military spouses for corporate roles, including finance-adjacent tracks, with coaching and employer connections. Apply through the site.
- Veteran Recruiting (VRS): virtual and in-person career fairs that connect service members and spouses with employers, including financial firms. Register for an upcoming event to meet recruiters directly.
- FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE): the industry regulator's entry exam, which anyone can take without sponsorship, to show employers you are serious about a securities role. Read the exam outline and study resources on FINRA's site.
FAQ
- Do I need an MBA to work in finance? No. An MBA can open associate roles and reset your career, but many veterans enter through direct-hire programs, licensing, or analyst roles without one.
- What is the SIE exam? The Securities Industry Essentials is a FINRA entry-level exam covering basic industry knowledge. You can take it on your own, and it can signal commitment before a firm sponsors your Series exams.
- Are veteran programs only entry-level? No. Offerings range from analyst and associate tracks to rotational and mid-career programs. Check each program's target audience.
- Can I break in without a finance degree? Often, yes. Firms hire veterans into operations, risk, compliance, and technology, where leadership and discipline transfer. Roles vary by employer.
- Do direct-hire veteran programs promise a job at the end? No. A program can lead to a full-time offer, but placement generally depends on performance and open roles. Treat it as an audition, not a guarantee.
- How early should I start? Generally 12 to 18 months out. That gives you time for licensing, applications, and networking, and it lines up with tools like SkillBridge.
Where to get help
Verification Notes
- We confirmed each program and firm through its official website in July 2026. Program names, dates, and eligibility can change, so verify current details before applying.
- We considered the Wall Street Warfighters Foundation, which historically trained service-disabled veterans for finance roles. Public nonprofit records show its most recent tax filing around 2017 and no current program activity, so we dropped it and added the FINRA SIE exam as a licensing resource in its place.
- We did not publish any salary, acceptance-rate, or placement statistics. Confirm any figures directly with each organization.
Sources & links
VetraFi does not provide financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. The content provided is for informational purposes only. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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