Are you applying for anything specific within the IT dept or is it just a general grad intake?

i.e. if youre dealing with US securities then how about something like the compliance issues as a result of the sox rules and the impact it has on the banks in house software.

If FX then perhaps the challenges of handling increasingly larger numbers of transactions, STP etc.. as a result of increased volume due to  blackbox/algorithmic trading

or perhaps the development challenges involved with CLS(continuous linked settlement ) - it is basically sort of like a clearing house for FX

which bank is it btw...?

If youre going down the security route then have a read around some of the work Detica are doing:
http://www.deticanetreveal.com/
The pages on their NetReveal technology might give you some good ideas of whats achievable within bank IT.


If I was to answer for that question Id probably go down the route of talking about the US airforce declaring the internet as a combat zone and the measure banks should take to defend themselves against the emerging dangers of state sponsored adversaries as well as organized crime/small attacks.  General things like that work well in interviews  not sure quite how itd pan out in a written application.  Again thats a little security specific.  If youre going a more networking role then I believe banks are about to change over to same day cash clearing between banks which must have some implications to do with network reliability.  Theyve recently (last week?) found out how to make quantum cryptography work with only one end using fancy techniques = totally secure comms.  If you can get in fast enough on that one you may even be ahead of the curve since Im not sure how widely reported its been.


I wouldnt get drawn into talking about trading models/systems or similar.  Youll be out of your depth in seconds if you get the wrong interviewer.


FYI - Not sure if itll be the same in pure IT but banks structured grad schemes are slow as hell.  Be prepared for a 6 month - 12 month+ recruitment process.

Ive done a lot of work with RBS and worldpay, and am in the middle of implementing a secure platform for a new RBS instant payments system.

I have to say if theyre anything to go by, the networks & infrastructure teams are generally staffed by many incompetents, who love red tape and project update meetings and 24/7 teleconferences. Its a whole new world of business BS. The few good staff are stifled by the blowhards ranking above them.

On the upside, the datacentres are cool, and you can rip the piss with expenses claims.

My least favourite customer, by a long shot.