Any investment bankers/wannabes here?

[weich]

Hey all,

Just curious...any investment bankers/wannabes here? Have a few questions to ask...hehe =)

[breakout7]

im no inv banker, but surely a wannabe.I won't pretend i know much, but i figure ure enquiring abt something?blow me awayas i embrace to the little that i know.

[weich]

posted this quite a while back, anyway, what division are you interested in?

I'm pretty interested in trading (equities/Fixed income).

[xovey]

i'm definately a wannabe. I'm interested in equity research but I think the only way in the investment industry is to enter the 2yr investment banking analyst program that its super competitive. I reached the 3rd round with a regional bank but the company has some issues with sponsoring h1b visa. so that's a bummer :S

[sugarpop]

There is definitely a lack of I-bankers in Msia.. A LOT of DOCs around (just take a look at the lengths of the posts) No offence, but what's with this obsession abt being a doc??

Anyways, if u hv any qns on IB, i may be able to help.. cheers! :wink:

[weich]

so share with us sugarpop..are you already working in a bank?

[sugarpop]

Joined last yr July (after I graduated) with a major European house. Base: HongKong/Singapore. Specialising in structured interest rates derivatives.

[Maxforce]

so mind sharing what your job function actually entails?

[weich]

Joined last yr July (after I graduated) with a major European house. Base: HongKong/Singapore. Specialising in structured interest rates derivatives.

cool...just wanna ask if it is possible for one with an engineering degree to apply for such a job in Singapore? Have been rejected so far by banks over here in the UK due to my lack of financial experience (internships), and was told that my skillsets match a trader more than in structuring by one of the banks.

I've been following the FX markets for about a year now, experimented with technical analysis and reading quite extensively about it.

any advice on how to 'boost' my CV to back up my credibility? Am thinking of applying for one of the prop trading firms (e.g. http://www.geneva-trading.com/) in UK as an intern after i graduate b4 returning to malaysia...you think it's wise to do so?

[sugarpop]

Hi Maxforce,

A typical day will be structuring/pricing int derivatives pdts. Speak extensively to clients (also wine n dine) and get feedback/sell to them the pdts. Simply speaking, I am a salesgirl. :wink: Instead of selling consumer pdts at brick-stores, I sell financial pdts through phones/emails/bloomberg msgs/reuters.

Hi Weich,

Engineering is perfectly fine! In fact, some of my interviewers prefer engineering students as they feel that these students hv the technicals and would be easier to teach them since they do not hv a pre-set mindset/knowledge on finance. Well, most IBs recruit globally. So, it does not matter whether u apply through Asia or UK or US.. U go through the same channel. The difference is u state that ur preference is working in Asia. (I m not sure abt the ones which u applied to, but this is how the IB i m in recruits)

FX market is pretty wide.. u are following on the spot market? But honestly, i do not think techincals are as impt as ur aptitude and attitude during the interviews. They are looking for the hunger to learn and the passion to excel! Personally, I m not too sure abt e-prop trading firms but I do know that prop trading desks of IBs prefer hiring those with vast experiences. Prop trading is discretionary and it takes an experienced guy/gal to get a 'feel' of the market. If u are really interested in FX trading, u can start with MNCs. They are major FX players too (mostly on the buy side, but possibly on the sell too) The big MNCs (Eg: Shell, Nippon, BP, Dow Chemicals) hv their own trading desks...

My 2 cents' worth.. :D

[weich]

thanks sugarpop, I've been paper trading for more than a year now on the spot FX market. The results of my interviews (all in wither Fixed Income/Derivatives Trading) so far over here in the UK have not been very encouraging, the deadlines are already over and I'm currently thinking of shifting my focus to Asia.

I need more insight from you still -> I feel quite disadvantaged w/o a proper financial qualification so is it advisable to study for a CFA part-time while working?

I still have a vague understanding of the qualification after researching about it but hopefully you can help with some of my questions?

1. The CFA Institute now requires a person to have 4 years professional experience working in the investment decision-making process in order to be awarded the CFA Charter. So any idea what this "investment decision-making process" mean? Would a job in the wholesale banking division of a bank qualify for that?

2. Do I have to study for the exams in a college/can I study for it myself & take the exams in one of the approved centres?

3. Are there any other qualifications better/more suitable for one that ones to be involved in the derivatives market (either in structuring/trading role), esp. one who just graduated with an engineering degree but not another degree (too expensive)?

4. Any job openings in your company..hehe =)