Financial trader
If you have an analytical mind, financial knowledge and the confidence to make quick and informed decisions, you could excel as a financial trader
As a financial trader, you'll use your knowledge of the financial markets to buy and sell shares, bonds and assets for investors, including banks and their clients. You'll make prices and execute trades, seeking to maximise assets or minimise financial risk.
Types of financial trader
There are different types of trader, for example:
- Flow traders - buy and sell products on the financial markets for the bank's clients. Products include securities and other assets such as futures, options and commodities.
- Sales traders - act as intermediaries between their clients and the market maker. They take instructions directly from the client and communicate them to the person executing the trades.
Traders may specialise in a particular product, such as shares, fixed-interest bonds or foreign exchange (FX) markets.
Before 2008, it was common for traders to use a bank's money to bet against predicted movements in the market. Following the financial crisis, however, this type of proprietary (prop) trading has been banned. Major banks had to separate (ring-fence) the proprietary trading function from their core retail banking activities or shut them down completely. Proprietary trading is now usually offered as a standalone service by specialised prop trading firms.
Responsibilities
While there are many similarities in the work of flow and sales traders, their roles differ substantially. The main difference is risk - sales traders try not to take risks, while flow traders take risks in seeking rewards.
Work activities of a flow trader typically include:
- conducting research and data analysis to determine the state of the market
- monitoring the performance of UK and international markets
- predicting how markets will move and buying and selling accordingly (especially derivatives traders, who try to predict the state of a market at a future date)
- speaking with colleagues, making phone calls and making instant decisions
- making prices in their relevant products
- executing trades electronically or by phone
- liaising with sales traders or clients on market movements
- informing all relevant parties of the most relevant trades for the day
- gathering information - critically about mispriced assets, detailed data analysis and valuation.
Traders in sales are more focused on the relationships with clients. They analyse and market new financial offers that they believe will be attractive to their clients.
The day-to-day activities of a sales trader may include:
- gathering information and analysing the market
- carrying out detailed data analysis and valuation
- providing in-depth market reports
- identifying issues affecting clients
- developing client relationships and presenting ideas to clients
- securing deals with new clients
- keeping market-making traders informed of relevant issues with their customers and products.
Salary
- Typical starting salaries for trainee financial traders can range from around £26,000 to £32,000, plus commission.
- The range of salaries for experienced traders is between £45,000 and £150,000+.
- An associate trader with experience selling credits could earn around £140,000 in a top-tier bank, or £230,000 if working in derivatives that are more lucrative.
Very high earnings are possible, especially for proprietary traders who are often paid a bonus equivalent to a proportion of the profits made. However, EU regulations limit bonuses in banking to no more than the employee's salary without a shareholder vote and an overall limit of double their salary. Although the UK is no longer a member of the EU, this cap still remains in place for the time being.
Additional benefits, such as non-contributory pension schemes and mortgage subsidies, are common.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours are typically 7am to 6.30pm for experienced financial traders, but may be considerably longer for newcomers. Foreign exchange (FX) is 6.30am to 5pm, while oil can be 8am to 6.30pm or 9.30am to 8pm.
Part-time work is not feasible, although job sharing is possible and career breaks are becoming more common.
What to expect
- The work is office based and the vast majority of opportunities are in London.
- Self-employment or freelance work is unusual without years of experience.
- The work is demanding and trading can be hectic. Managing large amounts of other people's money is not a career to be taken lightly.
- Overseas travel is occasionally required and, depending on the client base, is likely at least once a month for traders in sales.
Qualifications
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:
- accountancy
- business
- economics
- finance
- maths
- politics
- sciences
- statistics.
Entry standards are high, usually requiring a minimum 2:1 degree, and the selection process is demanding. An assessment may include interviews and psychometric tests, sometimes all in one day.
Foreign language skills are an advantage as banks are expanding globally, not just in Europe but also in Asia and Latin America.
Entry without a degree or HND is difficult, although it may be possible to enter the industry in administrative roles, make contacts, and eventually move into trader positions.
Skills
You'll need to have:
- strong numeracy skills
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- excellent analytical skills
- teamworking ability
- physical and mental stamina
- independent thinking
- integrity
- alertness and decisiveness under pressure
- confidence, self-motivation and self-discipline
- a willingness to accept responsibility
- a strong interest in finance and the financial markets and how they work.
Work experience
Pre-entry experience is not needed but vacation work, internships and placements will give you an advantage. For further information see individual company websites.
Major investment banks recruit graduate trainees and offer internships or work experience, with some offering insight days for first-year students. Closing dates are normally in late October and early November for opportunities starting in the following summer or autumn. Banks may start to fill positions once applications open, so you're strongly advised to apply early.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
Most traders work in the City, which describes the UK financial services sector rather than a physical place.
The City is made up of a number of financial institutions involved in banking, asset management, insurance, and services to business.
Major institutions include:
There are also a number of market institutions, such as:
In addition to this, there are thousands of firms including insurance companies, investment houses and financial advisers.
The vast majority of traders are employed by investment banks. An investment bank is usually a financial house whose role is to finance the trading and commercial activities of others and themselves. The major investment banks have offices in financial centres throughout the world.
Investment banks have a high profile in the City and recruit significant numbers of graduates during peaks in the economic cycle. There is keen competition between investment banks and selection is equally rigorous.
Specialist investment management firms employ a small number of traders. Treasury departments of very large companies may employ a few traders, but this is less common.
Look for job vacancies at:
Most vacancies are filled via specialist recruitment agencies, by word of mouth and through speculative applications.
Networking and following up contacts can be useful in finding jobs. Check with your university careers service for a list of past students working in the industry who are happy to be contacted. Ask your family, friends and associates to see if anyone can put you in touch with someone working in the field.
Competition for entry is intense. Generally, vacancies are limited and entry standards are consistently high. Not all jobs may be advertised so it is advisable to write speculative applications, expressing your interest and your suitability should a post arise, and enclose an informative, targeted CV.
Persistence is essential. You must be able to promote yourself effectively and provide evidence to show that you will be successful in this career. Read the financial press, attend presentations and do thorough research about potential employers and the opportunities they offer.
Professional development
Training is provided on the job and is often organised on a rotational desk basis. This usually consists of shadowing a more senior trader to watch what is going on and to learn the trading language (how to phrase questions and trades).
This training is supplemented by lectures, seminars and conferences. If traders are specialising in a product for a specific country, language training is frequently provided.
Before traders conduct any business, they must qualify to be placed on the Stock Exchange's list of people who are eligible to trade. You are required to become an approved person by the FCA.
Relevant FCA-approved qualifications for traders, e.g. the International Certificate in Wealth and Investment Management, which is assessed by a multiple-choice examination, are offered by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Traders often have to take the examinations relevant to other European exchanges. Those choosing to do further study often complete the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute CFA Program.
Most firms pay for examinations, but individuals are expected to contribute a lot of self-study time. Graduate trainees are expected to learn quickly from other traders when starting out and need to be prepared to take on some menial tasks, such as data analysis and administrative duties, to assist other traders.
Career prospects
Generally, new entrants are considered as trainees for the first two years. After this, you'll usually move up to the next level, provided your performance is satisfactory.
Once operational, traders who have completed their certificate-level qualification from the CISI may take the CISI Diploma or, more often, the CFA Program.
Although different banks have different job titles, promotion is generally structured as follows:
- graduate trainee/entry-level trader
- analyst or trader
- associate
- senior associate
- vice president or executive director
- managing director.
It's normal for traders to reach associate level about two to three years after their graduation. After associate level, the numbers able to reach executive director level are significantly lower. If you've proved yourself after five years, it's not unusual to be given responsibility for a small team, possibly two or three small teams, and then to head up a new desk trading a new product or in a new country.
Regular moves between banks are possible at all levels, although such moves are more common from associate level and above. As many trading banks are international, there are opportunities to work in other locations and countries.