Long working hours are often the reality when it comes to banking, and JP Morgan is no different. But the emphasis at the firm, the investment banking arm of JP Morgan Chase, is on performance, rewarding achievement rather than sacrifice. The company is pretty flush, with assets of more than $1 trillion and more than 160,000 people working in 50 countries — so graduates can expect "highly competitive" starting salaries of about £30,000-£35,000. For the 300 vacancies in investment banking, finance and IT, expect strong competition — the bank received more than 13,000 applications for its 300 graduate vacancies in 2004.

Recent articles:

Ranked #19 in the 2006 Top 100 Graduate Employers survey

The allure of prestigious, exciting jobs in a fast-paced, high-powered environment means banking is high on the list for graduates

Inside Track

Get the lowdown from Helen Bostock, the vice-president of JP Morgan’s head of graduate marketing for Europe

Ranked in The Times Top 50 Places Where Women Want to Work

Company website: JP Morgan

Times Recommends

• Inspirational leadership
• How to get a new job
• The reluctant CEO