15 Finance Internships for Undergraduates in Illinois

Finance internships during undergraduate studies give students a strong advantage by strengthening resumes, improving job prospects, and providing real exposure to financial systems, tools, and decision-making used in the industry. They help students explore areas like investment banking, corporate finance, accounting, risk management, and financial analysis while building practical skills that go beyond classroom learning and developing professional networks that support future careers. 

If you want to see what other finance internships are available, find a list of summer-specific internships here & general internships here.

What Finance internships are available for undergraduates in Illinois? 

These internships are mainly based in Chicago and offered by major banks, investment firms, corporate finance teams, fintech companies, and asset management organizations. In these roles, you might work on tasks such as financial analysis, building valuation models, supporting investment research, assisting with risk assessment, or helping with budgeting and forecasting. Many opportunities come through structured programs at large financial institutions, while others are offered by corporations, startups, and regional banks with a focus on lending, client services, and operational finance. 

In this blog, we have curated 15 finance internships for undergraduates in Illinois.

Key takeaways

• This list rounds up 15 finance internships for undergraduates in Illinois spanning global banks, healthcare companies, and public finance agencies, with standout hosts including Abbott, Barclays, Northern Trust, Morgan Stanley, and U.S. Bank.

• Pay varies widely, with strong hourly rates like $16 to $32 at one healthcare company and competitive analyst-level compensation at a couple of major banks, while a few of the fully remote listings offer more modest or unspecified compensation, so it's worth confirming pay details directly with each employer.

• Most of this list features well-established, recognizable financial institutions, though a couple of the fully remote listings come from smaller platforms, so it's worth doing a bit of extra research on those specific postings before applying.

• Most opportunities cluster around Chicago, with a couple based in smaller Illinois cities, while several fully remote and virtual options round out the list for students who aren't able to relocate.

• The earliest deadline falls in early January for a public finance internship with the state, with several major bank and corporate deadlines clustering into the fall of the prior year, so it's worth planning applications well over a year in advance for the most competitive programs.

1. Abbott Finance Intern

Location: Abbott headquarters and various U.S. locations (primarily Abbott Park, IL) 
Stipend: $16–$32 per hour 
Dates: Summer (typically 10–12 weeks, May–August) 
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related fields; typically students who have completed at least one year of college and have strong analytical and Excel skills

The Abbott Finance Internship is a summer program designed to give undergraduate students hands-on experience in corporate finance within a global healthcare company. During the internship, you will work on real business projects across areas such as financial planning and analysis, accounting, supply chain finance, and commercial support. You will collaborate with different teams to analyze financial data, support business decisions, and develop reporting and forecasting skills. The program also provides structured mentorship, professional training, and exposure to how finance operates in a large multinational organization, helping you build practical skills and explore potential full-time career paths in finance and business.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; full financial aid available
Dates: 8 – 12 week sessions with varying dates; summer opportunities available
Application Deadline: May/June for summer cohorts; spring, fall, and winter cohorts also available
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week

The Ladder University Internship Program connects you with global startups and nonprofits across diverse industries for an immersive, remote experience. Over 8–12 weeks, you will work on a project that directly contributes to your assigned organization’s goals, from business development to marketing, product research, or design. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with your startup manager on various deliverables, gaining experience in professional communication, problem-solving, and project management. The program concludes with a final presentation of your project, showcasing the real-world impact of your work.

3. Illinois Finance Authority Intern 

Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Paid internship (stipend provided; amount varies by cycle)
Dates: Summer (typically 8–10 weeks, June–August)
Application Deadline: January 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (often rising juniors/seniors preferred) from any major, with strong interest in public finance, policy, economics, or climate-related work; strong writing, research, and analytical skills preferred; U.S. work authorization generally required.

The Illinois Finance Authority Internship is a summer program where you will work with the Illinois Finance Authority and its Climate Bank initiatives on projects related to public finance, policy, and economic development. You will support research, data analysis, and the preparation of policy briefs, reports, and presentations that contribute directly to government decision-making. You will also gain exposure to how public funds are allocated and used to support infrastructure, climate initiatives, and community development projects. Throughout the internship, you will develop practical skills in policy analysis and public sector work while gaining insight into careers in government, finance, and public policy.

4. Northern Trust Students & Graduates Programs 

Location: Global (major hubs include Chicago)
Cost: Free to apply; Stipend paid 
Dates: 10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (often penultimate-year students preferred for some regions), currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in fields like finance, economics, business, computer science, or related disciplines; strong academic performance and interest in financial services are preferred 

Northern Trust’s Students & Graduates Programs are designed to give undergraduate students hands-on experience in global financial services through structured internships and early-career development roles. During the internship, you will work on real projects across areas such as asset servicing, investment management, finance, risk, technology, and wealth management, while gaining exposure to how a large international financial institution operates. You will participate in training sessions, mentorship programs, networking events, and team-based projects that help you build technical, analytical, and professional skills. The program also provides opportunities to interact with senior leaders and contribute to meaningful work, helping you develop a strong foundation for future careers in finance and related fields.

5. The Brattle Group Research Analyst Internship

Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Competitive compensation (specific amount determined per candidate)
Dates: Summer (Brattle begins interviewing in November; exact internship dates not listed)
Application Deadline: Not mentioned 
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in quantitative fields such as economics, finance, business, or accounting

The Brattle Group Research Analyst Internship gives you the opportunity to apply economic and financial principles to real consulting projects alongside experienced economists and industry experts. You will work on building quantitative models, conducting in-depth research, analyzing financial statements, and supporting the preparation of expert reports used in litigation and regulatory cases. The work spans areas such as valuation, securities regulation, accounting investigations, bankruptcy, and white-collar fraud, offering exposure to complex analytical problems that professional economists and consultants handle in practice.

6. Construction & Forestry Marketing Summer Intern 2026

Location: Various U.S. locations 
Stipend: $3,900–$5,100 per month
Dates: Summer (exact dates not provided)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must have completed at least one year of a bachelor’s degree or be pursuing a master’s in a related field such as business, marketing, engineering, construction management, or marketing analytics

John Deere’s Construction and Forestry Marketing Summer Internship places you inside the business side of one of the company’s largest divisions. You will work on projects connected to operations, product portfolios, customer production systems, marketing, sustainability, and data analytics, seeing how these pieces fit together across teams. Your work is tied to active business needs, which means applying what you have learned in class to real industry problems and explaining your thinking through presentations and written updates. You collaborate with people across different functions and spend time learning from experienced mentors.

7. Barclays Banking Analyst Summer Internship Program

Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Competitive compensation (varies by business area)
Dates: 10-week summer internship (exact dates not listed)
Application Deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: Must be an undergraduate student graduating within one year after the internship; GPA of 3.2+ preferred; must have unrestricted U.S. work authorization

Barclays’ Banking Analyst Summer Internship is a ten-week program that places you directly inside an investment banking team. You will be assigned to a sector, product, or regional group to learn how deals are built by working on financial models, valuation tasks, market research, and client presentations. You also take part in due diligence and support live transactions, which gives you a clear view of what analysts actually do day to day. Alongside the work, you attend training sessions and networking events and receive regular guidance from both junior and senior bankers. 

8. McCormick Business Development Internship

Location: Geneva, IL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current undergraduate junior or senior, or a graduate student majoring in sales or marketing

The McCormick & Company Business Development Internship gives you hands-on exposure to how new products and flavors are developed, refined, and brought to market. Throughout the program, you will work closely with teams across sales, marketing, and product development to support customer activation and drive growth across existing accounts. The role involves helping evaluate and prioritize opportunities within McCormick’s innovation pipeline, giving you insight into how ideas progress from concept to launch. You will also collaborate with teams such as customer care, sales strategy, and flavor science, gaining a broad understanding of how different functions work together to meet customer needs and support business growth.

9. Illinois State University Accounting Internship

Location: Normal, IL
Stipend: Varies by employer
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer (internship schedule arranged individually)
Application Deadline: Fall/Spring: by 4 pm on the 10th day of the semester; Summer: by 4 pm on June 30
Eligibility: Must be a College of Business student

This internship allows you to apply classroom accounting knowledge in a real workplace setting. You will work with an employer on practical tasks such as financial reporting, auditing support, tax preparation, or other industry-specific accounting responsibilities depending on your placement. The experience helps you understand how accounting principles are used in professional environments while strengthening your technical and analytical skills. If you choose to earn academic credit, you will submit an application outlining your responsibilities so the internship coordinator can confirm that the work aligns with your coursework level.

10. Illinois State University Finance, Insurance & Law Internship

Location: Normal, IL
Stipend: Varies by employer; internships may be paid or unpaid; students must pay tuition for academic credit.
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer (internship timing arranged individually)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must be a College of Business student

In this internship, you will be able to work in Finance, Insurance, and Law. The program places students in a professional setting where at least 135 hours of supervised, coursework-related experience are completed. The role involves working in areas such as finance, insurance, or law, offering direct exposure to industry practices while developing practical, job-ready skills. Structured feedback is provided through mid-term and final evaluations to support professional growth and performance improvement. A reflection paper is also required for the Finance Internship Coordinator, helping connect hands-on work with academic learning.

11. U.S. Bank Summer Internships Program

Location: United States (multiple locations depending on role, including major offices in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, and others)
Cost: Paid internship (competitive stipend/salary provided)
Dates: Typically a 10-week summer program (usually June–August)
Application Deadline: Varies by role and cycle; generally August–October of the previous year for summer internships
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (and in some cases graduate students), especially those pursuing degrees in business, finance, economics, data, technology, or related fields

The U.S. Bank Summer Internship Program is a structured 10-week experience that gives undergraduate students hands-on exposure to the financial services industry. During the program, you will work on real projects across areas such as banking, finance, risk, technology, and data analytics, depending on your assigned team. You will support business operations by analyzing data, contributing to decision-making, and collaborating with professionals across different functions. Alongside this, you will receive mentorship, participate in training sessions, and attend networking events with peers and senior leaders. 

12. Virtual Finance Internships– Intern Group

Location: Fully virtual 
Cost: Paid program
Dates: Flexible start dates year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, recent graduates, and young professionals; applicants should have an interest in finance, business, accounting, or related fields (no strict major requirement, but basic academic/professional readiness is expected)

The Virtual Finance Internships by The Intern Group offer a fully remote experience where you will work on real finance-related tasks such as financial analysis, research, forecasting, and reporting with international host organizations. Alongside practical work experience, you will receive training, mentorship, and career support while building skills in communication, problem-solving, and data analysis. The program also provides networking opportunities with a global community of interns and professionals, helping you gain industry exposure and strengthen your profile for future roles in finance and business.

13. Skillzenloop–Financial Analyst Intern

Location: Fully remote 
Cost: Free to apply; unpaid or low-stipend structure depending on assignment/client (varies by listing)
Dates: Flexible/rolling start
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students and freshers; basic understanding of finance, accounting, or business preferred; strong Excel/Google Sheets skills and interest in financial analysis required

The Financial Analyst Internship (Skillzenloop / Theirstack – Remote) is a flexible, entry-level opportunity designed for students and freshers who want to gain practical experience in financial analysis. During the internship, you will work on tasks such as analyzing financial data, preparing reports, assisting with budgeting and forecasting, and tracking key business performance metrics. You will also use tools like Excel or Google Sheets to organize and interpret data, helping you build foundational skills in financial modeling and data-driven decision-making. The program provides exposure to real-world finance workflows in a remote environment, allowing you to develop analytical skills and gain experience that can support future roles in finance, consulting, or business analytics.

14. Banking Internship – AperioHub

Location: Virtual or in India 
Cost: Paid 
Dates: Flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling applications 
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students and freshers; basic understanding of banking, finance, or business concepts preferred; strong communication and analytical skills are an advantage

The AperioHub Banking Internship provides students and freshers with practical exposure to the banking sector through structured, hands-on training. In this program, you will work on tasks related to banking operations, credit and loan processes, financial analysis, and reporting activities. You will gain experience understanding how financial institutions function in real-world settings, including how transactions and business decisions are managed. Alongside this, you will build essential skills in analysis, communication, and problem-solving while gaining early industry experience that can support future roles in banking and finance.

15. Morgan Stanley Early Insights Program

Location: Virtual (Historically held in New York City, Baltimore, and Alpharetta)
Stipend: None
Dates: January and February (Typically runs as a two-week virtual series per track)
Application Deadline: Historically, mid-November
Eligibility: All undergraduate students

The Morgan Stanley Early Insights Program is a multi-week virtual initiative that introduces students to careers in financial services and the firm’s major business divisions. You will explore areas such as investment banking, global capital markets, sales and trading, wealth management, research, and corporate risk management through interactive sessions and workshops. The program also includes panel discussions with professionals, networking opportunities with senior leaders, and case study exercises that provide insight into real business challenges. A key highlight of the experience is its structured business tracks, which can offer participants a pathway to accelerated consideration for future summer analyst roles.

Questions students often ask about these internships

1. Do I need finance coursework already to apply to these internships?

Most of the major bank and corporate internships do expect coursework in finance, accounting, or a related field. A few of the more general or remote listings are more flexible and welcome students building that background for the first time.

2. A couple of these internships come from smaller, less well-known companies. How can I tell if a listing is legitimate?

Look for a clear company website, verifiable contact information, and details about the actual work involved rather than vague descriptions. If a listing feels thin on specifics compared to others on this list, it's worth researching the company independently before applying.

3. Do I need to already attend an Illinois university to apply to these internships?

Not for most of them. The major bank and corporate internships are generally open to undergraduates from any school, while a couple of university-specific programs are limited to students enrolled at that particular institution.