MBA FINANCIAL SERVICES FAST TRACK conference

Your First Impression in Finance Begins Here

The MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference is a one-and-a-half day pre‑MBA recruiting event designed to give you early exposure to top financial services firms — before you even arrive on campus. Although the conference is an exploratory event, company representatives attend with the expectation that you have already begun researching the industry, major firms, and the roles you hope to pursue. Coming in prepared helps you make a strong early impression and signals genuine interest in finance career paths.

The event primarily focuses on investment banking, with additional exposure to investment management and asset management. You’ll gain insight into how these sectors are structured, the skills they require, and the realities of recruiting timelines that move quickly once your MBA program begins.

Who

Admitted MBA students who plan to enroll at Forté member and affiliate schools in 2026.

This event is specifically for students targeting an internship for Summer 2027.

Where

Verizon Executive Education Center
Cornell Tech
New York City, NY

When

May 21 - 22, 2026

Cost

Free - just a $50 refundable deposit to secure your spot

Travel reimbursement of up to $100 is available; see below for details.

Registration deadline: May 7, 2026

Conference Details

Event Highlights

Voices From the Top executive panel

Senior leaders share candid perspectives on navigating high‑stakes finance careers and the ever evolving landscape of financial services. This session helps you understand the expectations and culture at the top of the industry.
Financial Services Panels

MBA alumni across financial services will share how to build a meaningful and upwardly mobile career in finance — from finding the right fit across roles like investment banking, investment management, and private wealth, to developing the technical, leadership, and communication skills firms value most.
Focused Networking With Finance Leaders

Students meet recruiters and industry professionals in small‑group and open‑networking formats. These conversations offer a first opportunity to demonstrate preparation, ask informed questions, and begin building relationships that may carry into internship recruiting.

Financial services moves fast — and the best way to understand where you fit is to learn directly from the people shaping the industry. The MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference gives you more than an overview; it gives you access. You’ll hear from recruiters and industry professionals who can break down the roles, the skills that matter, and the trends reshaping financial services. You’ll hear the unfiltered version of how people actually build careers in finance, and you’ll get to ask the questions Google can’t answer. Most importantly, you’ll start building relationships with recruiters and company representatives who can help you turn curiosity into opportunity.

If you’re ready to see what a future in finance could look like — and who might help you get there — this is where you start.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO:

1

Standout from the crowd

Firms use the conference to identify promising talent before formal MBA recruiting begins. While you don’t have to have it all figured out, students who arrive informed about their career goals, participating companies, and the basics of financial services will stand out immediately.
2

Prepare to succeed

While the event is exploratory, companies expect attendees to have done foundational research. Students should be ready to ask thoughtful questions, articulate their interest in finance, and demonstrate curiosity about specific firms.
3

Build momentum

Early connections with recruiters and industry professionals can shape your experience at the event. Plan to participate in the recruiting and networking opportunities available to you and be sure to upload your resume to the conference resume book for even more visibility.
4

Learn about finance at its core

Investment banking is the centerpiece, with meaningful exposure to asset management, private wealth, and related areas. Students interested in these paths will gain clarity on the differences and demands of each.

Agenda Overview

1

Get Executive Insights & Leadership Lessons

Hear senior women leaders from top financial institutions share candid stories about their career paths and the realities of navigating long-term success in financial services.
2

Understand Your Finance Working Style

Participate in an interactive session to uncover how you communicate, collaborate, and make decisions in fast-paced environments — and how to articulate your leadership strengths.
3

Demystify the Recruiting Process

Gain an insider view of investment banking and financial services recruiting, including timelines, expectations, evaluation criteria, and strategies for making a strong early impression.
4

Build Skills & Map Your Career Path

Attend a series of sessions featuring MBA alumni focused on finding your fit in finance, developing the technical and leadership skills firms value, and positioning yourself for long-term advancement.
5

Engage in High-Impact Networking With Firms & Peers

Connect directly with recruiters and representatives from Forté member companies who want to hire high-potential MBA students (like you). The conference is also your opportunity to build meaningful relationships with peers embarking on this exciting journey with you.

Visit the registration site for full agenda.

Forté MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference attendees from Forté MBA member schools are eligible for a travel reimbursement to help offset the transportation and lodging costs associated with attending the event. Reimbursement is limited, and only available for students who have traveled more than 75 miles to attend. Funds are distributed in the form of reimbursement after the conference — Forté will not provide funds in advance. Reimbursements are generally distributed 4-6 weeks after the event.

Reimbursement amounts are capped at a maximum of $100 and will in no case exceed the actual costs paid by a participant for their travel and lodging. The amount payable will be calculated according to the following policy.

Please note: Travel reimbursements will be awarded post-event on a first-come, first-served basis after completion of the conference survey and reimbursement forms.

Air, Bus, or Rail Travel

Long-distance travel costs associated with airfare, bus, or long distance rail travel are eligible for reimbursement. Travel must occur within one day in advance and one day following the conference. Costs of travel outside of May 20-22, 2026, are generally excluded. If you extend your stay, verification will be required to show that the actual travel cost is equal to or less than if you traveled within 24 hours of the conference.

New York City Area Airport Options:

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Car Travel

Attendees choosing to drive to and from the conference from their current U.S. residence are eligible for mileage reimbursement. You must provide proof of distance in the form of a Google or Apple map that shows the distance from your current residence to the conference location. Mileage reimbursement may be disbursed according to the following limits:

250 miles or more traveled: $100
150-249 miles traveled: $75
75-149 miles traveled: $50

Expenses incurred for travel in and around the city in which the conference is being held (i.e. taxis, buses, ride shares, local trains) ARE NOT eligible for reimbursement. Travel expenses to and from airports, train, or bus stations are also excluded from reimbursement.

Lodging

The travel reimbursement can also be used to cover lodging costs related to your attendance at the Forté MBA Financial Services Fast Track Conference. All expenses must be documented by a valid receipt indicating full payment. Accommodations eligible for expense reimbursement include hotels, motels, hostels, Airbnb, and other commercially established and regulated home-sharing sites (i.e. Vrbo, HomeAway, etc.). Reimbursements will not be given for non-commercial establishments.

Lodging fees will only be reimbursed for the following nights:

MBA Financial Services Fast Track: May 20-21, 2026

Process

All reimbursement applications and receipts must be received by Forté no later than two weeks after the conference. All reimbursements will be processed after the conclusion of the conference and within one month of receipt. Reimbursement applications received after the deadline will not be processed.

MBA Financial Services Fast Track Reimbursement Deadline: June 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET

The following information and documentation must be provided by the participant:

Completed reimbursement form (provided via email after completion of conference attendee survey)
Uploaded images of all receipts
Valid receipts must include the name of the entity providing the goods/service, the dates, the price paid, proof of payment, and the name of the attendee.

Please note: Any errors or incomplete information (i.e. name, mailing address, etc.) may result in delays to your reimbursement.

To be eligible for travel reimbursement you must:

Have traveled more than 75 miles to attend the conference
Attend the entire conference program
Thoughtfully complete the attendee survey which will be emailed to you after the event; instructions on submitting your expenses will be viewable after completion of this brief survey

Once reimbursement applications are reviewed and approved, eligible attendees will be reimbursed through Bill.com. Eligible attendees may receive an invitation from Bill.com to register for electronic bank deposits of their reimbursement. If you prefer a live check, you may ignore the invitation. No reimbursements will be dispersed through Venmo, Cashapp, or other online sites.

Please do not hesitate to contact Forté with any questions.

Page updated March 4, 2026

Hear from conference attendees

“Please continue offering this conference, it was incredible for me as a woman of color who thought this only in dreams and now sees it feasible. Thank you for your hard work.”

- Jennifer Betancur
Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper School of Business), MBA
“My time at the Forté MBA Financial Services FAST Track Conference left an indelible mark on me, both personally and professionally. It ignited my fervor for investment banking, opened doors to unprecedented opportunities, fostered deep networking connections, provided invaluable insights, and surpassed all initial expectations. I am truly grateful for this experience and many more to come.”

- Taania Khan
Columbia Business School, MBA