What is the best structure?

Firm, group, and team fit with one concrete example for each.

How much research is enough?

At least one deal, one platform strength, and a relevant team detail.

Why Our Firm: Bank-Specific Answer Templates (2025)

How to answer Why Our Firm with deal-specific proof, group fit, and bank-specific versions for GS, MS, JPM, Evercore, and more, plus a research checklist.

Answer structure

Firm: one platform strength tied to a deal or coverage area.
Group: why this product or industry team fits your skill set.
Team: a cultural or mentorship reason from conversations.

Research checklist

One recent deal, one sector focus, one differentiator.
Two alumni calls and one current analyst insight.
One sentence on how your background fits the group.

Firm-specific prompts

GS: pick a deal and explain why it matches your sector focus.
MS: tie a platform strength to your training goals.
JPM: show why scale and execution quality matter for your path.
Evercore: reference a specific advisory outcome or case format.

Pair this with Bank-Specific Interview Prep and Networking Email Templates.