CIB Research & Analytics Program - Intern Level Interview
Questions
Based on Raghav Jindal's CV and Current Market Context
Section A: Financial Analysis & Modeling (Based on Raghav's Experience)
Q1: Working Capital Analysis & Optimization
Background: Drawing from your experience at Shanvishailja Cotex where you reduced inventory
stockouts by 24%.
Scenario: A mid-sized textile company approaches your bank for a ₹15 Cr working capital loan. Their
financials show:
Revenue: ₹120 Cr
Inventory: 75 days of sales
Receivables: 45 days of sales
Payables: 30 days of sales
Questions: a) Calculate the company's working capital cycle and working capital requirement b) If they
achieve your 24% inventory reduction success, how would this impact their working capital needs? c)
What key metrics would you track in your CMA report for this loan? d) How would you structure loan
covenants to ensure working capital discipline?
Expected Answer: Understanding of working capital components, cash conversion cycle, and practical
loan structuring.
Q2: Credit Assessment Using Real Data
Background: Based on your K.K Jhunjhunwala experience with ₹50L+ loan structuring.
Scenario: You're preparing a CMA report for a ₹2 Cr term loan. The borrower's last 3 years show:
Year 1: Revenue ₹45 Cr, EBITDA ₹8 Cr
Year 2: Revenue ₹52 Cr, EBITDA ₹9.5 Cr
Year 3: Revenue ₹48 Cr, EBITDA ₹7.2 Cr (COVID impact)
Questions: a) Project revenue and EBITDA for next 3 years with justification b) Calculate key ratios:
Current ratio, Debt-to-equity, Interest coverage c) What repayment structure would you recommend for
this ₹2 Cr loan? d) Given the volatile EBITDA, what additional security/covenants would you suggest?
Expected Answer: Basic financial projections, ratio analysis, and practical lending decisions.
Q3: DCF Valuation Application
Background: Your financial modeling project on MOIL Ltd. and NMDC Ltd.
Scenario: A mining company similar to NMDC wants to raise ₹500 Cr through equity. Current year
metrics:
Revenue: ₹3,200 Cr
EBITDA: ₹960 Cr (30% margin)
CAPEX: ₹240 Cr
Tax rate: 25%
Questions: a) Build a simple 5-year DCF model with reasonable assumptions b) How would you
determine the appropriate discount rate (WACC)? c) Compare your intrinsic value with current market
multiples (P/E: 12x, EV/EBITDA: 8x) d) What are the key risks specific to mining companies that could
affect valuation?
Expected Answer: Basic DCF construction, WACC understanding, and sector-specific risk assessment.
Section B: Banking Fundamentals & Current Environment
Q4: Understanding Current Monetary Policy Impact
Background: General banking awareness expected for CIB roles.
Scenario: RBI recently maintained repo rate at 5.50% after previous cuts. A corporate client asks about
loan pricing.
Questions: a) Explain how repo rate changes affect bank lending rates b) If a company has ₹100 Cr
floating rate debt at Repo + 200 bps, what's their current interest cost? c) How might the "neutral" RBI
stance affect corporate borrowing decisions? d) What factors besides repo rate influence a bank's lending
rates?
Expected Answer: Basic monetary policy transmission, interest rate calculation, and banking spread
understanding.
Q5: Banking Sector Health Analysis
Background: Current banking sector metrics from recent news.
Scenario: You need to brief your team on banking sector health. Recent data shows:
Banking sector CRAR: 17%
Credit growth: 12.1%
Net Interest Margin: 3.5%
Questions: a) What does a 17% CRAR indicate about banking sector health? b) Is 12.1% credit growth
good or concerning? Compare with economic growth expectations c) How do you interpret a 3.5% NIM
in the current interest rate environment? d) What should banks focus on given these metrics?
Expected Answer: Basic banking ratios understanding and sector health assessment.
Section C: Excel & Data Analysis (Raghav's Technical Skills)
Q6: Dashboard Creation & Analysis
Background: Your Excel and PowerBI experience mentioned in CV.
Scenario: You need to create a loan portfolio dashboard for management.
Questions: a) Design a dashboard layout for a ₹1,000 Cr loan portfolio across 5 sectors b) What key
metrics would you include? (Think KPIs for management) c) How would you create alerts for loans
requiring attention? d) If you notice NPAs increasing in textiles sector, what analysis would you conduct?
Expected Answer: Practical dashboard design, relevant KPIs selection, and basic data analysis approach.
Q7: Competitor Benchmarking Analysis
Background: Your experience benchmarking 12 textile firms at Shanvishailja Cotex.
Scenario: Your bank is pricing a loan for a pharmaceutical company. You have data from 8 similar
companies.
Questions: a) What parameters would you compare across these 8 companies? b) How would you
determine appropriate pricing based on benchmarking? c) If one company has significantly better
margins, how would you investigate why? d) How would you present this analysis to senior
management?
Expected Answer: Benchmarking methodology, pricing decisions, and presentation skills.
Section D: Business Strategy & Problem Solving
Q8: SeatSmart Business Model Analysis
Background: Your entrepreneurship project on SeatSmart workspace booking platform.
Scenario: A co-working space chain wants a ₹20 Cr expansion loan.
Questions: a) What unit economics would you analyze for this business model? b) How would you assess
their Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) vs Lifetime Value (LTV)? c) What are the key risks in the co-working
space industry post-COVID? d) What loan structure would suit this business model?
Expected Answer: Unit economics understanding, business model analysis, and appropriate financing
structure.
Q9: Inventory & Supply Chain Financing
Background: Your 9% inventory carrying cost reduction achievement.
Scenario: A retail chain needs ₹50 Cr for inventory financing across 100 stores.
Questions: a) How would you structure inventory financing for seasonal businesses? b) What controls
would you implement to monitor inventory levels? c) How could technology help in inventory
management and loan monitoring? d) What happens if inventory doesn't sell as projected?
Expected Answer: Supply chain financing, risk controls, and practical lending solutions.
Section E: Current Events & Industry Awareness
Q10: Fintech Impact on Banking
Scenario: Traditional banks vs fintech lending platforms debate.
Questions: a) What advantages do traditional banks have over fintech lenders? b) How should banks
respond to fintech competition in lending? c) What regulatory challenges do fintech companies face that
banks don't? d) How might partnerships between banks and fintechs work?
Expected Answer: Industry dynamics understanding, competitive analysis, and strategic thinking.
Q11: ESG in Banking Decisions
Scenario: A coal mining company seeks a ₹100 Cr loan for expansion.
Questions: a) What ESG factors would you consider in this lending decision? b) How might ESG concerns
affect loan pricing or structure? c) What alternatives could you suggest to the company? d) How do you
balance profitability with ESG considerations?
Expected Answer: ESG awareness, practical application, and balanced decision-making.
Section F: Personal Experience & Behavioral
Q12: Leadership & Project Management
Background: Your roles as Sports Club Senior Member, Vice-Captain, etc.
Questions: a) How did you coordinate 300+ members for NMIMS Sports fest? What challenges did you
face? b) Describe a situation where you had to work with difficult team members c) How do you prioritize
tasks when handling multiple projects simultaneously? d) Give an example of when you had to make a
quick decision with incomplete information
Expected Answer: Leadership examples, problem-solving approach, and practical management skills.
Q13: Analytical Thinking & Communication
Background: Your academic achievements and project presentations.
Questions: a) Explain a complex financial concept (like DCF) to someone without finance background b)
How would you handle disagreement with your analysis from a senior colleague? c) Describe a time when
your analysis was wrong. What did you learn? d) How do you stay updated with financial markets and
economic developments?
Expected Answer: Communication skills, learning attitude, and continuous improvement mindset.
Evaluation Framework for Intern Level
Key Assessment Areas:
1. Technical Foundation (40%): Basic finance concepts, Excel skills, analytical thinking
2. Practical Application (30%): Ability to apply concepts to real situations
3. Communication (20%): Clear explanation of ideas and analysis
4. Learning Potential (10%): Curiosity, adaptability, and growth mindset
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Tests fundamental concepts with practical application
Builds on candidate's actual experience
Appropriate for someone with internship experience seeking advanced internship
Expected Interview Duration:
Technical rounds: 45-60 minutes each
Behavioral round: 30-45 minutes
Total: 2-3 hours across multiple rounds
Success Indicators:
Clear understanding of basic banking and finance concepts
Ability to connect theoretical knowledge with practical experience
Good analytical and problem-solving approach
Strong communication and learning attitude
Relevant experience application from previous internships
These questions are specifically designed for Raghav's profile, considering his academic background,
internship experiences, and the level expected for a CIB Research & Analytics intern position.
