Best Books You Should Read About Banking and Finance

Royalty Free Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-using-a-green-and-black-calculator-6958525/ 

In the realm of finance and banking, there are many key players, stories, and experiences that you can learn from. Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or finance professional, there are always more opportunities for you to expand your knowledge. 

This industry can be intimidating and difficult to navigate at times, but it gets easier with the more knowledge you have. We have compiled a list of the top 6 books in banking and finance to help you become a better business person. Each of these books offers unique insights into the author’s individual knowledge and experiences to provide you with wisdom and direction. 

1. The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards

This book provides an exceptional outlook on financial planning and is perfect for beginners in the space. Carl Richards spends time outlining how you can create a financial plan that will take you from where you are to where you want to go. 

With insights on retirement planning and life insurance to managing day to day funds, this book lays out the important information in an easily digestible manner. Follow along with Richards as he outlines exactly how you can improve your financial literacy, even if you are starting from the very beginning. 

2. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham 

If you are a financial investor looking to expand their knowledge, this is the perfect book for you. Named as one of Warren Buffet’s picks as the greatest investment book of all time, this book outlines key strategies and thought processes of a successful financial investor. Author Benjamin Graham is noted as one of the most successful investment advisors of the twenty-first century. 

While this book does a great job of explaining the in’s and out’s of investment, it also goes into detail about the psychology and strategy behind your investments. Learn how to make level-headed, smart choices with your investments in order to gain capital and become a successful investor. 

3. Breaking Into Banking by Andy Keusal

Considering a career in commercial banking? Whether you are getting ready to graduate college with a finance degree or are looking to transition into the banking industry, author Andy Keusal will teach you the in’s and out’s of the industry so you can prepare for a successful career. 

This book covers realistic situations in commercial banking, all in a pragmatic and digestible way. From the start of your career, Keusal offers his advice backed by personal experiences that can help you learn the ropes and master the basics of commercial banking. Breaking Into Banking is a fast read that can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates and begin a successful career. 

4. Factoring: A Powerful Tool in the World of Finance by Arvind Sonmale

If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, it is important to have a well-rounded view of the financial tools and strategies available to you. One of the most useful (yet lesser known) financial strategies available in invoice factoring. This book by Arvind Sonmale outlines the key benefits of invoice factoring and discusses just how powerful this tool is for a small business owner. 

As you are trying to navigate financial planning, payroll, and getting customer invoices paid, Sonmale provides insight into exactly how you can use factoring to your advantage. If you are looking to expand your knowledge on financial tools and strategies, this is the tool for you. 

5. How Finance Works: The HBR Guide to Thinking Smart About the Numbers by Mihir Desai

Do you ever wish you could get Harvard Business School level lessons without actually attending Harvard? In How Finance Works by Mihir Desai, you can get financial lessons from an actual Harvard professor without having to attend his classes. Based on a popular class at Harvard’s School of Business, Desai outlines the importance of making smart financial decisions to develop your career. 

With this book, you can begin to understand how to think about finances on a deeper level – not just as numbers on a page. It is filled with case studies, interactive exercises, and colorful visuals to give you the knowledge you need to understand exactly how finances work. Take your financial literacy and understanding to the next level. 

6. Visual Finance by Georgi Tsvetanov

With this guide to visual accounting by Georgi Tsvetanov, you can gain a deeper understanding of the accounting process. Said to be used in thousands of training sessions in 30+ countries, this guide is a great option for finance and non-finance managers alike. Tsvetanov covers important topics, like interpreting financial statements, analyzing cash flow, and understanding the “Big Picture.”

Visual Finance is an interesting read that all business-minded people should read. Afterall, everyone should have a core understanding of how their finances work before diving into business ownership and entrepreneurship. 

Explore More Top Finance Recommendations

Expanding your financial literacy is a key principle to becoming a better business owner and entrepreneur. You should always be learning, engaging with new media, and expanding your knowledge in the financial space. Looking to continue your learning journey? Check out our post on the 15 Best Books for College Students.