Reply to: Training courses for Banking and Finance

[gary666]

You say you are a senior BA? - what's that then? The business analyst is a interesting beast. Hard to pin down. "BA" is a broad spectrum of roles in banks. At one end, you have jumped up testers, then failed programmers, then smart grads who know nothing.. And at the other end you have ex-traders, subject matter experts, etc. Where do you see yourself on that spectrum?

A useful (and rare) business analyst in a bank will be able to talk the lingo to the business - and if you are talking IB that subject matter can be extremely complex. Not many BAs can handle that. A few developers can- that's me. I don't deal with BAs, I deal with the business directly and explain it to the BA later so they can write test cases for me, which they will execute, many times. It ain't glamorous pal. I have to do this because 9/10 times if I rely on the BA it backfires due to lack of analysis skills. And this is common knowledge amongst the clued up. The common BA is a fact gatherer really. So just brush up your Q+A style and your JIRA skills.

A technical BA will be doing interfaces between systems. So, working out what a piece of data means in one system and how it maps into the other system. Is that your bag? Or are you into "stake holder management" and all that waffly poo?

It is probably more of a tech role but with the interesting addition of some stakeholder waffly poo, (I assume that's why they've tagged senior on it!) Or talking the lingo as you also put it. Defo not investment banking and although I'm newish to finance I've been working in these kind of roles across different sectors for many a year so I have no concerns abiut q&a style (though very true this major part of role). A system is a system in terms of learning the nuts and bolts all I was initially looking for was some sector relevant reading to tag onto what I'm learning as I go, which I think you initially gave so thanks.

As for cutting out the BA and going straight to business , certainly not the first developer I've heard/met who does that it's often quite a strained relationship I've found at times even when I've been a SME/BA and it generally depends which side of the fence you are as to where the blame lies but hard to generalise either way, plus it probably opens up a whole new thread 😉

[MrMarkyMark]

You say you are a senior BA? - what's that then? The business analyst is a interesting beast. Hard to pin down. "BA" is a broad spectrum of roles in banks. At one end, you have jumped up testers, then failed programmers, then smart grads who know nothing.. And at the other end you have ex-traders, subject matter experts, etc. Where do you see yourself on that spectrum?

A useful (and rare) business analyst in a bank will be able to talk the lingo to the business - and if you are talking IB that subject matter can be extremely complex. Not many BAs can handle that. A few developers can- that's me. I don't deal with BAs, I deal with the business directly and explain it to the BA later so they can write test cases for me, which they will execute, many times. It ain't glamorous pal. I have to do this because 9/10 times if I rely on the BA it backfires due to lack of analysis skills. And this is common knowledge amongst the clued up. The common BA is a fact gatherer really. So just brush up your Q+A style and your JIRA skills.

A technical BA will be doing interfaces between systems. So, working out what a piece of data means in one system and how it maps into the other system. Is that your bag? Or are you into "stake holder management" and all that waffly poo?

This +1.

Very few good BAs, especially in banking, with the required understanding of complex systems about.

The mistakes cost big, especially when there are 100's of people involved on the projects.

[Fronttoback]

Thanks. This was more along the lines of comment I was looking for - and not even any needy posts about being thanked from you either I'm currently in contract as senior BA mostly WFH so commute not really an issue. The approach of getting my hands dirty and learning more on the job seems to be working ok so far was just curious if there was anything else could do as background. Cheers

You say you are a senior BA? - what's that then? The business analyst is a interesting beast. Hard to pin down. "BA" is a broad spectrum of roles in banks. At one end, you have jumped up testers, then failed programmers, then smart grads who know nothing.. And at the other end you have ex-traders, subject matter experts, etc. Where do you see yourself on that spectrum?

A useful (and rare) business analyst in a bank will be able to talk the lingo to the business - and if you are talking IB that subject matter can be extremely complex. Not many BAs can handle that. A few developers can- that's me. I don't deal with BAs, I deal with the business directly and explain it to the BA later so they can write test cases for me, which they will execute, many times. It ain't glamorous pal. I have to do this because 9/10 times if I rely on the BA it backfires due to lack of analysis skills. And this is common knowledge amongst the clued up. The common BA is a fact gatherer really. So just brush up your Q+A style and your JIRA skills.

A technical BA will be doing interfaces between systems. So, working out what a piece of data means in one system and how it maps into the other system. Is that your bag? Or are you into "stake holder management" and all that waffly poo?

[gary666]

Not even a thank you for my recommendations?

You had better learn some respect before you enter my world pal. And get rid of that pony tail. You're going into a mans environment with the men. For example, in banking it's common to share urinals. Someone might even piss across you because they are busy and need to get back to the desk. That is what you are getting into. Learn to love it.

Needy much? 😂

[gary666]

Well I don't know what line of work you do (PM? BA?) But I'm not finding that at all. I work in a retail bank in a team of 4 contractors, I commute from 50 miles away, one drives from 40 miles away, the other two live here during the week then train/fly back at weekends. i.e. there's a skill shortage.

Back to OP's question, personally I don't thing a qualification would amount to much, better getting your hands dirty and if you can throw a few keywords round in an interview related to what they might need, you should be OK.

Thanks. This was more along the lines of comment I was looking for - and not even any needy posts about being thanked from you either I'm currently in contract as senior BA mostly WFH so commute not really an issue. The approach of getting my hands dirty and learning more on the job seems to be working ok so far was just curious if there was anything else could do as background. Cheers

[gary666]

I didn't realise notifications didn't come through when comment made. Thanks for 1 or 2 helpful comments

[Fronttoback]

I know, I know.. I hear ya. You gotta laugh, haven't you love! How's you love?

[oscarose]

You had better learn some respect before you enter my world pal.

[Fronttoback]

The FCA is generating a lot of work.

Not even a thank you for my recommendations?

You had better learn some respect before you enter my world pal. And get rid of that pony tail. You're going into a mans environment with the men. For example, in banking it's common to share urinals. Someone might even piss across you because they are busy and need to get back to the desk. That is what you are getting into. Learn to love it.

[rl4engc]

There is no background stuff to be done for retail banking really.

The FCA is generating a lot of work.

[Fronttoback]

To be fair it depends on what line of work you're in.

I'm 100% coalface; technical; a bottom feeder. I've (always resisted | never had the drive to go into | never had the ability for) management, team leadership etc. like a cockroach avoids the light. Seems to be working well thus far.

To be honest, if you are purely a techie I wouldn't bother skilling up on investment banking. You will be wasting your time. You should focus on improving your technical skills. If they have employed you with a purely techie CV and no banking knowledge you will be doing middleware stuff- like connecting systems together. You have a long way to go before you can get near where the money is made.

If you have managed to blag a business facing role somehow - read All About Derivatives by Michael Durbin for front office knowledge and Securities Operations by Michael Simmons for back office. Here, you are getting into a specialised world and it will take you a number of years to be useful within it.

Banking IT market is shrinking, the business knowledge value is depreciating for contractors. I would target boring regulatory work if you want longevity in banking.

There is no background stuff to be done for retail banking really.

[rl4engc]

Oh, well there you go. It can be done!

To be fair it depends on what line of work you're in.

I'm 100% coalface; technical; a bottom feeder. I've (always resisted | never had the drive to go into | never had the ability for) management, team leadership etc. like a cockroach avoids the light. Seems to be working well thus far.

[northernladuk]

I have no previous experience in the sector.

Oh, well there you go. It can be done!

[rl4engc]

I think what he is saying is it's awash with people like you. You'll always get preference due to your previous experience in the sector and there are plenty like you. It's going to be very difficult to get in to it when the clients are looking for previous banking experience. They will always pick guys like youover someone with non. The chances of getting a gig with no experience because there isn't anyone else suitable is slim to nil.

I have no previous experience in the sector.

[northernladuk]

Well I don't know what line of work you do (PM? BA?) But I'm not finding that at all. I work in a retail bank in a team of 4 contractors, I commute from 50 miles away, one drives from 40 miles away, the other two live here during the week then train/fly back at weekends. i.e. there's a skill shortage.

One quote given to the customer if they want this work completed is "If you need people in, you're going to need contractors, and if you need contractors, they're not going to be from round here.."

Back to OP's question, personally I don't thing a qualification would amount to much, better getting your hands dirty and if you can throw a few keywords round in an interview related to what they might need, you should be OK.

I think what he is saying is it's awash with people like you. You'll always get preference due to your previous experience in the sector and there are plenty like you. It's going to be very difficult to get in to it when the clients are looking for previous banking experience. They will always pick guys like you over someone with non. The chances of getting a gig with no experience because there isn't anyone else suitable is slim to nil.