Nomura Holdings Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Nomura Holdings is a global financial services group that integrates market connections across approximately 30 countries to serve a diverse clientele, including individuals, institutions, corporates, and governments.

As a Business Analyst at Nomura, you will play a critical role in bridging the gap between technology and business needs. Your primary responsibilities will include gathering and analyzing business requirements, developing functional specifications, and collaborating with stakeholders across various regions to optimize processes. You will be tasked with understanding the trade lifecycle and financial products, ensuring that your insights contribute to strategic cost-saving initiatives and operational efficiencies. A successful candidate will possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and an ability to communicate complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Your role will be deeply embedded in Nomura's commitment to delivering quality solutions that drive real-world value, requiring a proactive approach to identify opportunities for improvement and an eagerness to engage with both internal teams and external partners.

This guide will equip you with tailored insights into the interview process for the Business Analyst role at Nomura, helping you to prepare effectively and stand out as a candidate.

The interview process for a Business Analyst role at Nomura Holdings is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the financial services industry. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step is an initial screening, which usually takes place via a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation lasts around 30 to 40 minutes and focuses on your resume, work experience, and understanding of the role. The recruiter will gauge your communication skills and assess your fit within Nomura's culture. Expect to discuss your previous job duties and any relevant projects you've worked on.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve online tests that evaluate your analytical skills and understanding of business analysis concepts. You may also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of financial products, trade lifecycle, and relevant technical skills, such as SQL or data analysis techniques. This stage is crucial for determining your technical proficiency and ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next phase typically involves a behavioral interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing platforms like Webex. This interview focuses on your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Interviewers will ask about specific situations where you demonstrated problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and communication skills. Be prepared to provide examples that showcase your analytical mindset and ability to work collaboratively in a global team environment.

4. Client Interaction

In some cases, candidates may have a final round that includes a client interaction or presentation. This step is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and clients. You may be asked to explain your understanding of specific projects or methodologies, such as the implementation of regulatory frameworks or data governance practices. This round is critical for evaluating your interpersonal skills and your capacity to articulate complex information clearly.

5. Final Review

After the interviews, there may be a final review process where the interview panel discusses your performance across all rounds. This stage may involve additional discussions with HR regarding your fit for the team and the organization as a whole. Candidates can expect timely feedback following this review, although communication may vary based on the specific circumstances of the hiring process.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and past experiences.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Role and Its Impact

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand the responsibilities of a Business Analyst at Nomura. Familiarize yourself with the trade lifecycle, market data, and the specific financial products relevant to the role. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and how you can contribute to the team.

Prepare for Technical and Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions during your interviews. Brush up on your SQL skills, as basic SQL joins were mentioned as a common topic. Additionally, be ready to discuss your previous projects in detail, focusing on your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your thought process clearly.

Communicate Effectively

Nomura values excellent communication skills, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you may need to communicate with stakeholders who may not have a technical background. During the interview, listen actively and engage with your interviewers, showing that you value their insights and are open to collaboration.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

As a Business Analyst, your ability to analyze data and identify opportunities for process improvement is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you have successfully implemented changes based on your analysis. Highlight your attention to detail and your proactive approach to problem-solving, as these traits are highly valued at Nomura.

Build Rapport with Interviewers

The interview process at Nomura has been described as friendly and conversational. Use this to your advantage by building rapport with your interviewers. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company, and don’t hesitate to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or the company culture. This will not only help you gauge if Nomura is the right fit for you but also leave a positive impression.

Be Ready for Client Interaction Scenarios

Given that part of the interview process may involve client-related discussions, prepare to discuss how you would handle client interactions. Think about how you would gather requirements, manage expectations, and communicate effectively with clients. Demonstrating your understanding of client needs and your ability to foster strong relationships will set you apart.

Follow Up and Stay Engaged

After your interview, send a thoughtful follow-up email thanking your interviewers for their time and reiterating your interest in the role. This not only shows your professionalism but also keeps you on their radar. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe, don’t hesitate to reach out for an update, as communication has been noted as an area for improvement in the hiring process.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Business Analyst role at Nomura. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Nomura Holdings. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, business acumen, and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences, demonstrate your analytical skills, and showcase your understanding of financial products and processes.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe your experience with business analysis in a financial services environment?

This question aims to gauge your familiarity with the financial sector and your specific experiences that relate to the role.

How to Answer

Highlight your previous roles, focusing on your responsibilities and achievements in business analysis. Discuss any relevant projects that demonstrate your understanding of financial products and processes.

Example

“In my previous role at XYZ Bank, I was responsible for gathering requirements for a new trading platform. I collaborated with stakeholders to understand their needs and translated those into functional specifications. This project not only improved the efficiency of trade execution but also enhanced user satisfaction.”

Technical Skills

2. Explain the process of a left join and inner join in SQL.

This question tests your technical knowledge of SQL, which is essential for data analysis in this role.

How to Answer

Provide a clear and concise explanation of both types of joins, including their differences and when to use each.

Example

“A left join returns all records from the left table and the matched records from the right table, while an inner join returns only the records that have matching values in both tables. For instance, if we have a table of customers and a table of orders, a left join would show all customers, including those who haven’t placed any orders, whereas an inner join would only show customers who have made purchases.”

3. How do you approach data analysis to identify business process inefficiencies?

This question assesses your analytical skills and your approach to problem-solving.

How to Answer

Discuss your methodology for analyzing data, including the tools you use and how you interpret the results to identify inefficiencies.

Example

“I typically start by gathering data from various sources and then use tools like Excel or SQL to analyze it. I look for patterns or anomalies that indicate inefficiencies. For example, in a previous project, I identified a bottleneck in the order processing system by analyzing processing times, which led to a redesign of the workflow that reduced processing time by 30%.”

Communication and Stakeholder Management

4. Describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a non-technical audience.

This question evaluates your communication skills and ability to convey technical information clearly.

How to Answer

Provide an example where you successfully communicated complex information, focusing on your approach and the outcome.

Example

“In a project where we implemented a new compliance system, I had to explain the technical requirements to the compliance team. I created visual aids and simplified the technical jargon, which helped them understand the implications of the changes. This resulted in smoother collaboration and a successful implementation.”

5. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your prioritization strategy, including any tools or methods you use to keep track of tasks and deadlines.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact on the business. I use project management tools like Trello to keep track of deadlines and progress. For instance, during a recent project, I had to balance multiple stakeholder requests, so I created a priority matrix to ensure that I focused on the most critical tasks first.”

Financial Knowledge

6. What is your understanding of the trade lifecycle in financial markets?

This question tests your knowledge of financial products and processes, which is crucial for a Business Analyst role.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of the trade lifecycle, highlighting key stages and their significance.

Example

“The trade lifecycle includes several stages: order initiation, trade execution, clearing, settlement, and post-trade reporting. Each stage is critical for ensuring that trades are processed accurately and efficiently. For example, during the clearing phase, it’s essential to confirm that both parties have agreed on the trade details to mitigate counterparty risk.”

7. Can you explain the importance of regulatory compliance in financial services?

This question assesses your awareness of regulatory requirements and their impact on business operations.

How to Answer

Discuss the significance of compliance and how it affects business processes and decision-making.

Example

“Regulatory compliance is crucial in financial services as it helps maintain market integrity and protects investors. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties and damage to reputation. In my previous role, I worked on a project to enhance our compliance reporting, which not only ensured adherence to regulations but also improved our operational efficiency.”