The following list catalogues the largest, most profitable, and otherwise notable investment banks. This list of investment banks notes full-service banks, financial conglomerates, independent investment banks, private placement firms and notable acquired, merged, or bankrupt investment banks. As an industry it is broken up into the Bulge Bracket (upper tier), Middle Market (mid-level businesses), and boutique market (specialized businesses).

Largest full-service investment banks

The following are the largest full-service global investment banks; full-service investment banks usually provide both advisory and financing banking services, as well as sales, market making, and research on a broad array of financial products, including equities, credit, rates, currency, commodities, and their derivatives. The largest investment banks are noted with the following: Many of the largest investment banks are considered among the "bulge bracket banks" and as such underwrite the majority of financial transactions in the world. Additionally, banks seeking more deal flow with smaller-sized deals with comparable profitability are known as "middle market investment banks" (known as boutique or independent investment banks).

Financial conglomerates

Large financial-services conglomerates combine commercial banking, investment banking, and sometimes insurance. Such combinations were common in Europe but illegal in the United States prior to the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. The following are large investment banking firms (not listed above) that are affiliated with large financial institutions:

Private placement companies

Private placement agents, including companies that specialize in fundraising for private equity funds:

Other notable advisory and capital markets firms

The following is a list of other boutique advisory firms and capital markets firms that have some notability:

Notable former investment banks and brokerages

The following are notable investment banking and brokerage firms that have been liquidated, acquired or merged and no longer operate under the same name.