Hello Ben, let me help your understanding.
Securities dealing is NOT a core part of investment banking [division] but a core part of an Investment Bank. People mix these up all the time, so I don’t really blame you.
There’s a difference between Investment Banking, Investment Banker and Investment Bank. To start with, just know someone that deals with securities or stock trading is NOT an Investment banker. They work in an Investment Bank but they are NOT Investment Bankers
Investment banking is the activity. It is the work of helping companies raise money, merge with other companies, or go public. When a company wants to list on the NGX or issue bonds to investors, the advisory and structuring work behind that is investment banking. Got it?
Secondly, an investment bank is the firm that provides those services. Think of institutions like CHD, Vetiva, Stanbic Capital, UCAP etc. They are companies with different departments under one roof.
Finally, an investment banker is the person doing the job inside the investment banking [division]. They build financial models, prepare presentations, negotiate deals, and advise executives on major transactions.
Now, the securities division is different. It is another department inside the same investment bank. Instead of advising on mergers, this team trades stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities. They make markets for clients and manage trading risk. Again, they are NOT Investment Bankers but they work in an Investment Bank.
So the difference is simple. Investment banking is advisory work. The investment bank is the firm. The investment banker is the adviser. The securities division is the trading arm inside the same firm.
I hope this helps.