FX Spot Trading

Is FX Spot Trading a good desk to be at at a bank like Citi/DB or would it still be best to go with a desk that is more 'technical'?

I know that's a vary vague question but by 'best' I mean in terms of learning, prospects and salary potential.

Thanks!

9 Comments
 
Best Response

FX Trading, in particular Spot Trading is currently in a period of transition. This period of transition comes in 2 forms - cyclical and structural.

In the cyclical form of transition, firms are cutting costs within the global markets as consumer demand has thus far been unable to match up to pre-crisis levels. With costs rising banks turn to the easiest way to reduce costs - firing. This in turn results in a hiring slowdown as there is simply less need for a large pool of analysts annually who contribute minimally to the firm yet take up a considerable proportion of their costs.

The structural form of the role can be seen as technology begins to take spotlight and replace human traders. The reason for this? Once again, costs. In addition to it being a cost cutting measure, technology helps reduce losses stemming from issues such as human error, reaction time and what not. In addition, the volume of consumers integrated on FX trading platforms such as Barx, Autobahn and Citi Velocity are only going to rise. You may run a google search on FX Traders facing extinction for a more comprehensive explanation

Hope this helps a little :)

 

i am a retail forex trader with extremely well technical analysis price action trading with 6 years experience. I wish i can get job in firm that trades SPOT FX. In my research, i come to learn to get a job trading forex for a bank is given to those who know people on the inside. It is almost impossible to get a job as trader for bank unless you have some algo thats beating the market consistently.

Keep on sucking till you succeed, Curley.
 

Sit sed reprehenderit ipsam cum dolores consectetur. Ad ad nulla ullam molestiae delectus. Omnis doloribus placeat consequatur accusamus sint iste ex fugiat. Ut fugit eligendi magnam tempora quidem. Dignissimos quidem dolorem id nisi. Numquam voluptates omnis minus qui dignissimos ut occaecati. Voluptas maxime commodi incidunt qui commodi tenetur.

Ut ab est corporis eveniet deserunt. Dolorum rerum ut quisquam harum ut corrupti. Odio harum omnis vel quia amet sapiente laudantium perspiciatis.

Dolor dolore dolore quidem omnis temporibus eos ab. At aut quis possimus reprehenderit fugiat et. Aut sed cumque veritatis eaque quaerat molestiae expedita. Vitae voluptatem cumque qui praesentium ratione. Et consequatur illum perspiciatis soluta facere illo. Ut id ut architecto nemo.

Quisquam provident qui perspiciatis temporibus itaque voluptas. Distinctio accusantium illum soluta veritatis amet nesciunt. Modi aperiam asperiores natus sequi quos totam est repellendus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”