The Origin Story: How Banking at Cornell Started

BAC was founded by Ben Gleeman during the second semester of his freshman year, after being rejected from multiple finance clubs. “If you can’t join them, you should build your own,” was his mentality. We invite you to explore the whole story about how one student started a selective finance club at Cornell University in Episode 33 of The Coffee Chat Podcast.

What started as a response to exclusivity became a differentiated model:

• A selective Analyst Program for committed students

• An open-access General Membership for the broader campus

This dual structure allowed BAC to both maintain high standards and scale impact, quickly gaining traction across campus.

Step 1: Proving the Value of Adventis

Ben enrolled in the Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program during the summer before his 2nd year, while he was building out the curriculum for BAC’s Analyst Program. 

“After going through the FMC® program myself, it was clear that Adventis offered something different—practical, hands-on learning. It’s the difference between reading a textbook and actually doing the work, and that’s been critical in preparing our members for investment banking interviews.” - Ben Gleeman, Founder of BAC, Cornell University ‘26

Recognizing the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, he partnered with Adventis in 2024 to pilot the program with a small cohort. The initial goal was to validate rigor, effectiveness, and student outcomes before scaling.

The result:

• Strong student feedback

• Clear improvement in technical competency

• Immediate alignment with BAC’s mission of practical, high-impact training

This pilot phase established Adventis as a credible and scalable solution.

Step 2: Institutionalizing the Program

After the initial cohort proved successful, BAC set out to fully embed Adventis into its core curriculum by requiring Analysts to earn the Adventis FMC® Level I Certification. Like most organizations implementing a new standard, this transition did not happen overnight; it took BAC several cohorts to flesh out a process. Building a successful selective finance organization requires constant focus, iteration, and strong execution from the leadership team.

Under the current President, Darren Shum, the organization has produced its first 100%-Adventis-certified cohort of students, with all 15 class of 2029 students certified (up from 10 in the class of 2028). Beginning in the fall of 2025, all new analysts were expected to complete the FMC® Program within 3 months of admittance into BAC’s Analyst Program. 

“We use Adventis every single week to train our members’ financial modeling skills—from the three-statement model to DCF, comps, WACC, and LBOs. The feedback has been incredible. Students consistently highlight how important it is to not just learn the material, but to actually apply it in Excel and do what investment bankers do on a daily basis. We assign modules weekly and culminate the experience with the certification exam.” - Darren Shum, President of Banking at Cornell, Cornell University ‘27

As BAC matured, it became more selective and more rigorous:

• Class of 2028: 10 Adventis certifications out of 27 Analysts 

• Class of 2029: 15 Adventis certifications out of 15 Analysts 

This shift reflects a deliberate strategy:
Fewer members → higher standards → stronger outcomes

Step 3: Scaling the Partnership (Bootcamps and Adventis Trainers)

With Adventis fully integrated, BAC is entering its next phase of on-campus activation. Planned initiatives include:

• Recruiting Student Trainers from within BAC

• Hosting in-person financial modeling boot camps

On-campus bootcamps are expected to reinforce technical mastery, increase student engagement and accountability, and ultimately strengthen the Adventis–BAC partnership.

Adventis is not just a resource at BAC; it is a defining feature of the organization.

“Adventis has become a core pillar of Banking at Cornell. We emphasize it from the start—during recruitment, in our training, and throughout the member experience. It’s something every member completes, and it’s widely recognized as a rigorous, valuable credential. Because of how consistently we promote and use it, our club is known across campus as the exclusive partner for Adventis, and it’s become a key driver of both our reputation and member interest.”  - Darren Shum, President of Banking at Cornell, Cornell University ‘27

BAC actively markets the Adventis partnership to general members and Cornell students outside of the organization. It’s highlighted in info sessions, positioned as an exclusive on-campus advantage, and used to attract top applicants. Students (even those rejected from the analyst program) view Adventis as a pathway to improve candidacy and break into finance.

Why Adventis Works for BAC

1. Practical, Hands-On Learning

   “Understanding how to actually forecast a three-statement model… that’s what really clicked.” -  Darren Shum, President of Banking at Cornell, Cornell University ‘27

2. Structured Accountability

   • Weekly assignments

   • Certification requirement

   • Integration with interviews and evaluations

3. Standardization at Scale

   • Ensures every member meets the same technical bar

   • Removes variability in peer-led teaching

Outcomes: A Reputation That Compounds

BAC’s model of combining selective membership, strong leadership, and Adventis training has translated into elite outcomes.

Placement & Recruiting Success

• 100% placement rate into investment banking & private equity

• Strong representation at firms including: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Evercore, Lazard

“Firms know our club… they want more of our students. They know that we produce the best and brightest students.” -  Darren Shum, President of Banking at Cornell, Cornell University ‘27

BAC’s success is not accidental; it’s built on a repeatable system:

1. Selective intake

2. Standardized technical training (Adventis)

3. High accountability (FMC® requirement)

4. Strong leadership continuity

5. Continuous iteration and improvement

Key Takeaway for University Partners & Selective Student Organizations

BAC demonstrates what’s possible when student leadership and structured technical training align.

“Adventis is almost fundamental to any investment banking club. The hands-on experience it provides is something you can’t get anywhere else, and that’s what makes it so effective.” -  Darren Shum, President of Banking at Cornell, Cornell University ‘27

For universities and student organizations looking to replicate this success:

• Start with a pilot cohort

• Integrate FMC® into your curriculum

• Make certification a standard (not an option)

• Build leadership around accountability and outcomes

Final Results of BAC:

• Exclusive Adventis partner on campus

• 100% FMC® certification requirement

• 100% placement into IB & private equity

• Recognized pipeline for top firms

Banking at Cornell has built more than a club. It has built a community, a culture, a system. And Adventis sits at the center of it.