What's Murex?

Well in my case, it’s not the sea creature. It’s a totally different type of beast altogether.

I’ve finally made the move into rotation no. 3: Trading. I’ve been placed in the Murex application team. For all those Banking Technology wannabes out there, Murex in summary:

‘Murex MXG2000 is a front-to-back trading application that is used to manage trading portfolios in the asset classes of FX, MM, Equity Derivatives and Commodities.

The core support team maintains and manages all processes relating to the application from developing and implementing end-user requirements on a BaU basis to supporting all areas of the business with the day to day use of the application, including Front Office actions, Middle Office and Risk reporting and Back Office payment and confirmation processing.

The application is also supported by the team overnight in order to ensure that consistent, error free batch runs are generated for downstream reporting, risk and regulatory systems and audit purposes. Daily schedules are also executed and maintained so that risk positions held in the application can be known throughout the working day.’

Here’s some terms explained:

FX = Foreign Exchange (but you probably guessed that already)
BaU = Business as Usual.
MM = Money Markets.

I’m in a BaU role at the moment within this team supporting Murex. So, it’s going to be a steep learning curve learning the ins and outs of this system.

(Tip people: It’s useful to know a bit of UNIX. I know a fair few of you will have learnt the basic syntax but occasionally there are some colleges/universities that don’t bother using it. Even so, UNIX training is provided if you haven’t used it before.)

Another big trading app used is something called Summit: (http://www.misysbanking.com/Misys_Solutions/Summit/index.html)

Depending on the circumstances you can be expected to be put on one of the two systems when on your rotation within Trading Technology. Either way, a good understanding of markets is essential especially when trying to understand your end-users.

However, IMHO, Murex wins hands down. And it’s nothing to do with the promise of training in Paris at some point. *cough*

This week, I’m on the early shift. The tasks in the morning are there to ensure that the system is fully operational before the traders start using it. Adjusting to this time has been surprisingly easy, although it feels odd having to leave the flat in the morning when it’s dark.

On a closing note, if you haven’t seen these websites already:

http://www.codeoverflow.com
http://www.joelonsoftware.com

They’ll certainly help with your coding for sure.

For your interviews, read this website to get some knowledge of what’s going on in the industry:

http://www.bankingtech.com
http://www.computing.co.uk/news

Treasury Technology: the first twelve months

After completing a Computer Science Degree at Manchester University I started on the Treasury Technology programme in September 2007.

A fair bit has happened in the past 12 months, so here's a 'brief' summary of what has happened so far:

I began work at BOS Treasury (located in 33 Old Broad St, London) at the start of September last year. After a series of introductions to the different divisions, this was swiftly followed by a Markets training course at the London Stock Exchange. (All of which is conveniently roughly around the same time as Treasury Summer Party). To end the initial training, we were sent on a team building exercise out in the nearby woods of Tonbridge Wells.

Within Treasury Technology, you'll spent a little more time training with one of the managers in order to get familiar with the guidelines and procedures we need to adhere by when working for this department.

My first rotation was in Risk Technology as part of the BAU team. Their daily tasks are ensuring the smooth running of the Risk IT systems after processing the batches as well as implementing additional changes to the production systems.

The second rotation was in Development and QA. This rotation is split in two halves:

* Superstructure. This department tackles how messages are passed over the Treasury network from application to application.
* Currently, I'm working in the Small Applications team. At the moment, I'm tailoring an application that suits the needs of the end-users.

Next week, I'll be shifting roles from Small Apps to Trading where I'll be supporting one of the applications used to deal with trades being made by the people in Front-Office.

In the first year, I've worked with technologies such as UNIX, SQL (in its different variants), Java, C#, ASP.Net, XML, and JavaScript. No doubt, there will be more things to learn at a later date before this year is out. Depending on the upcoming tasks, your line manager and HR will arrange the appropriate technology training for you.

However, Financial IT is not just about coding. Learning soft skills is essential in an organisation such as BOS Treasury. (E.g. understanding your end users' requirements, time management etc), so expect to be sent out on communication courses, time management courses, etc. Ignore those software engineering/management modules at your own peril.

Anyway, that's 12 months in a nutshell. You'll find working in the City a whirlwind with all the stuff going on inside/outside of work. It's an interesting place to be.