Investment Banking Interview Prep: The M&A Deals You Need to Know in 2026

<p>Application season is underway, and if you’re targeting investment banking, understanding what’s actually happening in M&amp;A can give you a real advantage in interviews.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Anthony Cheung and Stephen Barnett break down the huge resurgence in global dealmaking in 2026, why mega-deals are dominating, which sectors and banks are benefiting, and how interest rates, AI and valuations are shaping the outlook.</p><p><br></p><p>Most importantly, we explain how to turn that knowledge into better interview answers: which deals to research, how to structure your response and how to demonstrate genuine commercial understanding rather than simply memorising headlines.</p><p><br></p><p>(00:00) Investment Banking Interview Prep</p><p>(01:48) The M&amp;A Boom</p><p>(04:47) Why Mega Deals Are Surging</p><p>(10:52) What Drives M&amp;A?</p><p>(17:46) Merger Arbitrage </p><p>(19:41) The Hottest Sectors</p><p>(24:04) Which Banks Are Winning?</p><p>(26:15) How to Target Your Applications</p><p>(30:21) Stephen&#39;s Favourite Episode</p><p>(33:26) Anthropic IPO Prediction</p><p>(34:46) Impact of US Mid-Terms</p><p>(41:23) Number One Advice</p>