Language "quotas" in London banking?
I hear it's analogous to DEI—how true/common is that? Is it only European languages that enjoy this status?
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As far as I'm aware this isn't an HR DEI type thing, but rather more driven by business needs. While most large IBs have geographic coverage teams, it's very useful to have foreign language (typically European languages) speakers in London-based teams (while I don't know for sure, I think a formal "quota" sounds a bit unlikely. Some kind of target as a second-tier goal though would not surprise me).
Of course this applies much less to more domestic banks like a Peel Hunt
Second the above - the language thing is out of necessity so you can help out with any regional/language coverage from London, not a random quota for DEI reasons. It's not "we need 3 more German speakers in this class" or "I took a few semesters of French" but rather helps your application a bit if you have business-level proficiency in another language.
If you speak a commonly used non-European language at a near-native level (think Spanish, Mandarian, Hindi, Arabic etc) that can also help. Random super niche languages or non-business level proficiencies are not going to help.
Hindi Really? Are you kidding me? It does not help at all and trust me I speak that language and I do not see any advantage at all since the majority of the business in India is done in English (courtesy of the British empire) otherwise it would have definitely helped.
Calm down
Why are you people so dramatic?
Not sure if the Spanish is a joke 😂😂😂😂
Why would it be a joke? Obviously less useful in London than French for example but still worth putting down if that's the language. Spanish is one of the most common languages out there, even if geographically not on the EMEA block plenty of Latam clients end up working with British companies or doing cross-border work
There is no quota per se but it is obvious if you are doing banking in Europe then you get the edge over others for speaking a European language compared to someone who does not speak any other language apart from English. It is Europe, not America where you can do well just by knowing English. Many European clients prefer to speak their own language in lieu of English and it makes sense.
This is not a thing. All things equal, it may give you a slight edge over your peers of matching background, but unless you are joining a specific regional coverage group it doesn’t matter.
Don’t think brits are discriminated in product or sector groups, the British definitely have a cultural edge with regards to office politics
Could you explain more about the British edge in office politics?
I'd sure hope the British had a cultural edge in Britain!
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