Lazard FIG Interview Questions (Accounting‑Heavy)

FIG specifics

Lazard FIG tends to probe statement literacy and the ability to tie ratios back to business drivers. Banks and insurers have balance‑sheet‑centric models — your answers should reflect that.

What to know cold

• For banks: NIM, NII vs. non‑interest income, CET1, RWA, LDR, NPL and coverage
• For insurers: combined ratio, loss ratio vs. expense ratio, float, reserve development

Example prompt

"Walk through how a 25 bps rate hike flows through a bank's three statements." Start with asset‑liability repricing, then NII, then provision and OCI effects; be explicit about timing.

Practice

• Do one statement tie‑out per day (call it 10 minutes)
• Write ratio definitions with units and what "good" looks like