Company guides
Nomura Singapore Internship Guide
Nomura Singapore is the Japanese investment bank's Asia Pacific hub outside Japan, offering internships across Investment Banking, Global Markets, and the firm's Instinet electronic trading business. The firm is known for its ASEAN equity research franchise and cross-border Japan-ASEAN deal capability. Nomura offers a unique Japanese corporate culture combined with a global investment banking environment.
Nomura Singapore: Internship Guide
Nomura Holdings entered Singapore in 1968 and today the Singapore office serves as Nomura's regional base for Southeast Asia Investment Banking, Equity Sales & Trading, Fixed Income, Research, and the Instinet electronic brokerage business. Following its acquisition of Lehman Brothers' Asia operations in 2008, Nomura significantly expanded its global investment banking footprint, and Singapore was part of that expansion. For students, Nomura offers access to a genuinely global Japanese investment bank with strong ASEAN deal flow and a distinctive cross-cultural working environment.
Key Internship Programmes
Investment Banking Division (IBD) Summer Internship — Ten weeks, June–August. Covers ASEAN M&A, ECM, DCM, and cross-border Japan-ASEAN transactions.
Global Markets Summer Internship — Equities (cash and derivatives), Fixed Income (rates, credit, FX), and structuring.
Research Summer Internship — Sector and macro research covering ASEAN equities and fixed income. One of the best-known equity research internships in Asia.
Quantitative Analyst Internship — For students with strong mathematics or statistics backgrounds, working on pricing models and risk systems.
Nomura Nexus (First-Year Insight Programme) — A structured one-day event for first-year students, typically in February. Strong performers receive fast-track summer access.
Roles Available
| Division | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Banking (IBD) | Summer Analyst | ASEAN M&A, ECM, Japan-ASEAN deals |
| Equities (Sales & Trading) | Summer Analyst | Cash equities, equity derivatives, prime brokerage |
| Fixed Income | Summer Analyst | Rates, FX, credit, structured products |
| Equity Research | Summer Analyst | ASEAN sector coverage, financial modelling |
| Macro Research | Summer Analyst | ASEAN economic research, fixed income strategy |
| Quantitative Analyst | Summer Analyst | Pricing models, risk systems |
| Technology | Summer Analyst | Platform engineering, Instinet systems |
Salary & Allowance
| Track | Monthly Allowance (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Investment Banking | SGD 5,000 – 6,000 |
| Global Markets | SGD 4,800 – 5,800 |
| Research | SGD 4,200 – 5,000 |
| Quantitative Analyst | SGD 4,500 – 5,500 |
| Technology | SGD 4,200 – 5,200 |
Application Process & Timeline
- Online Application — nomura.com/careers. Opens September–October.
- Online Assessment — Numerical reasoning and a logical reasoning test.
- First-Round Interview — 30 minutes. Fit, motivation, and basic financial knowledge.
- Final-Round Interview — Two to three interviews with senior bankers or traders. IBD candidates face valuation and deal questions. Research candidates may be asked to present an investment thesis.
- Offer — One to two weeks after final round.
Tips to Get Selected
- Show Japan-ASEAN interest. Nomura's competitive advantage over US banks in Singapore is its deep Japan relationships. Mentioning interest in cross-border Japan-ASEAN transactions, Japanese FDI flows into ASEAN, or Japan-linked sectors (automotive, electronics, infrastructure) signals genuine firm alignment.
- Prepare an investment thesis for Research roles. Nomura's Research internship is well-regarded. Interviewers often ask candidates to pitch a stock. Prepare a structured three-minute pitch on an ASEAN-listed company with a clear investment thesis, catalysts, and risks.
- Highlight any Japanese language skills. Even basic Japanese (N4/N5 JLPT) is valued at Nomura and distinguished candidates from peers.
- Know current ASEAN IPO and M&A markets. Nomura has been active in Vietnam and Indonesia IPO markets. Referencing a specific recent transaction is a strong signal.
- For quant roles, demonstrate Python/C++ proficiency and comfort with probability theory, stochastic calculus basics, and Monte Carlo simulation.
What the Internship Is Like
Nomura Singapore's intern programme has a distinctive Japanese-global hybrid culture. Formal hierarchies are respected — addressing seniors appropriately matters — but the substantive work is Western investment banking in nature. IBD interns work on live deals and pitch preparations; Research interns produce real research under senior analyst supervision.
The firm runs weekly intern education sessions, a charity event, and an end-of-programme presentation. Senior bankers at Nomura Singapore are generally generous mentors once you have demonstrated commitment and initiative.
Work hours are long in IBD (10–14 hours typical) but more structured on the trading floor. Culture is described as disciplined, meritocratic, and international.
Return Offers & Full-Time Conversion
Nomura Singapore converts approximately 55–65% of Summer Analysts. Given the firm's emphasis on long-term relationship building (a core Japanese business value), interns who demonstrate loyalty and genuine interest in Nomura's model are particularly well regarded when conversion decisions are made. Full-time Analyst offers begin in July of the following year.