Do banks ever hire fat people?

Before you ridicule this thread, I've spent some time on a lot of trading floors in the UK and have never seen a fat person on one. Wondering if it's just a huge coincidence or whether there is some kinda recruiting prejudice against fat people.

16 Comments
 

Finance is all about perception, and fat people are often perceived as lazy (right or wrong). In trading on the junior levels, almost no one is overweight since they have time to work out, although some on the senior level get heavier as they acquire family responsibilities, etc. Young bankers tend to gain weight sooner IMO because of the long hours.

 

It has a lot more to do with the personality types that are generally attracted to banking and trading. Most people that pursue these fields are generally highly driven and motivated to succeed in all aspects of their lives, including physical appearance. You also get a lot of former athletes you pursue these fields because they are competitive. I have seen plenty of fat traders though but that is generally more at the senior level where years of stress, inactivity and fast food take their toll.

 
Best Response
junkbondswapIt has a lot more to do with the personality types that are generally attracted to banking and trading. Most people that pursue these fields are generally highly driven and motivated to succeed in all aspects of their lives, including physical appearance. You also get a lot of former athletes you pursue these fields because they are competitive. I have seen plenty of fat traders though but that is generally more at the senior level where years of stress, inactivity and fast food take their toll.

Exactly. I'd also like to add to those personality traits vanity and materialism.

 

junkbondswap nailed it on the head. However, I once listed to a BoA/ML' private REIT presentation from a 330-375lb 5'7" man. He was a genius. I felt bad for his brain to be stuck in such a large body. When the presentation was over, his forehead had beads of sweat and his shirt was soaking wet. No joke. Great presentation though.

 

Most bankers are not fat simply because bankers are, at the very least, upper-middle class. The upper-middle class tends to be more health conscious than the lower classes. Think of all those people you see at Whole Foods bragging about eating organic produce and being vegan. They're certainly not poor. II'd also wager that most of the people you see in the gym aren't poor as shit either. It does cost money to get a gym membership. Being really fat is actually an indicator of being poor. Of course, this applies a little less when you reach the middle age range because its harder to maintain a slimmer weight with slowed down metabolism.

 
 

CitySophisticate has a point. Interesting how being fat was an indicator of wealth less than a hundred years ago, now it's the other way around...

Wall Street leaders now understand that they made a mistake, one born of their innocent and trusting nature. They trusted ordinary Americans to behave more responsibly than they themselves ever would, and these ordinary Americans betrayed their trust.
 

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