Jump from Credit Portfolio Management at Commercial Bank to Asset Management

Hi all,

I accepted a job for a large commercial bank (top 6 or so) doing quantitative portfolio management on MBS, mortgages, home equity loans, etc. I spend most of my time valuing whole loan portfolio deals between us and other banks and leading the macroeconomic analysis for our team. Prior to this position I was on the macroeconomics team at a large financial institution (non-bank). I have an MBA from a top-25 or so school (part-time so not much help with career services), have passed CFA level 1 and will be sitting for CFA level 2 in June.

My question is how difficult is it for someone like me to make the jump from my current role to an asset manager like a Fidelity, Vanguard, Wellington, BlackRock, etc.? I was told prior to this job that the role would be similar to what I would find at these places, but that hasn't really proven to be the case (they stole me away with a big raise and a nice signing bonus). Some of the research opportunities are interesting, but as a commercial bank the strategies for growth we can deploy are limited and depend on customers as opposed to clients. Has anyone made a transition similar to the one I'm trying to make? Is there anything additional I can do besides attending local CFA chapter talks and network?

Thanks, D

4 Comments
 

You pretty much said it. CFA and networking. You may be able to get interviews/face time if you have a decent network. Some skills are transferable but you don't invest, which is the largest handicap. You'll have to do a lot of individual lag work, but it's possible. MBA is an option as well, but only top 10 ranked.

Do what you want not what you can!
 

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