Maria, LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank: Advize Career Interview
A career in LATAM market analysis at a global bank offers a dynamic and challenging path. An economics degree, supplemented by finance coursework, provides a solid foundation, but adaptability and strong social skills are paramount.
A rotational program exposes individuals to diverse responsibilities, from managing daily investments to developing long-term solutions for corporate clients, encompassing FX sales and hedging strategies.
The daily work involves real-time market monitoring, client interaction, and project work focused on improving efficiency and security.
While the constantly changing market presents significant challenges demanding quick thinking, the fast-paced environment, coupled with continuous learning opportunities and a supportive team, is highly rewarding.
Global banks offer internships providing valuable entry points for undergraduate students in various finance departments, making this career path both exciting and accessible.
The ability to independently provide sound advice in uncertain markets is a key skill developed through experience, illustrating the need for continuous learning and seeking guidance from experienced colleagues.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Maria Pia Lopez
LATAM Market Analyst
Global Bank
Universidad del Pacifico, 2019
MBA Class of 2025 UCLA Anderson
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Data and Analytics
International Student
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Career Path of a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria's career path began with an economics degree, followed by two years in venture capital, a field unrelated to their current role as a LATAM Market Analyst at a Global Bank. The rotational program at the bank, focusing on the Peruvian sol/US dollar market and "hedging opportunities," provided the on-the-job training to complement their existing finance knowledge, allowing Maria to learn "from scratch" while applying foundational finance concepts.
Main Responsibilities of a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria's rotational program at Global Bank exposes her to diverse responsibilities, ranging from managing "day-to-day investments" in treasury to developing "long-term solutions" for corporate and institutional clients in the LATAM market, including FX sales and hedging strategies. This multifaceted experience provides Maria with valuable insights into various aspects of financial markets and client interaction.
A Day In The Life Of A LATAM Foreign Exchange Sales Analyst At Global Bank
Maria's day as a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank, specifically in corporate sales, involves a dynamic mix of real-time market monitoring—"30 minutes before the market opens, making research about any news that could potentially impact the exchange rate"—and client interaction, negotiating currency exchange rates with clients in competition with other banks. Post-market closure, the focus shifts to projects such as improving operational efficiency and transaction security.
Most Important Skills for a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria, a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank, emphasizes the critical need for "fast adaptability" in their rotational program, requiring a quick adjustment to diverse teams, clients, and management styles. This adaptability, coupled with strong "social skill sets," including teamwork, leadership, and empathy, proved essential for navigating the varied work environments and interpersonal dynamics within the bank.
Favorite Parts of Being a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria, a LATAM Market Analyst, thrives on the dynamic nature of her role, enjoying "a change each six months" that constantly challenges and prevents stagnation. This allows for continuous learning, such as gaining practical experience in understanding factors impacting exchange rates like those in Peru, despite lacking prior experience in this field.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria's biggest challenge as a LATAM Market Analyst is the "constantly changing" and fast-paced market, requiring immediate reactions to avoid significant financial losses; this high-pressure environment demands "thinking in a fraction of seconds," a skill honed through practice and experience.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Banking Industry As A LATAM Market Analyst
Maria, the LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank, appreciates the dynamic nature of the finance industry, citing the ever-changing FX market and its unpredictable outcomes as a source of enjoyment. The constant shifts and external market influences mean "the industry is not fixed and it will change constantly," a characteristic Maria finds engaging in their analytical role.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Banking Industry, According To A LATAM Market Analyst At Global Bank
To thrive in the LATAM Market Analyst role at Global Bank, a candidate must be "ready for change" and possess strong adaptability, demonstrating "constructional teamwork" to address client issues collaboratively. Quick thinking and decisive analytical skills are also critical for success in this fast-paced environment.
What a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Banking Industry
Maria, a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank, found the role's biggest challenge to be "a lot of uncertainty," requiring the ability to independently provide clients with "good and sound answers" even in unpredictable markets. This necessitates adapting quickly to dynamic market shifts and offering confident guidance to clients facing similar uncertainty.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring LATAM Market Analysts at Global Bank
In Peru, many undergraduate students require internships to graduate, and Global Bank offers such opportunities across various departments, including finance. Maria highlighted that the bank has "three interns in each of the different areas," such as treasury or corporate sales, presenting a valuable entry point for undergraduates interested in a finance career.
Significant Career Lesson From a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank
Maria, a LATAM Market Analyst at Global Bank, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, stating, "you always need to learn more," and proactively seeking help from experienced colleagues to efficiently solve problems, especially in early career stages, as a crucial lesson learned.
College Experiences That Helped A LATAM Market Analyst At Global Bank Succeed
Maria, a LATAM Market Analyst, recommends supplementing an economics major with finance courses to build a foundation for technical roles. The two internships Maria completed, one in consulting and another in government, though unrelated to their current field, demonstrated adaptability and the ability "to look at completely different industries," proving valuable skills for career success.
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