Hi, I am trying to find out what people think of the Fixed Income division (credit risk quants in particular) of Bank of America. How does it compare with similar divisions in other banks? I have been told in some quarters that there are very good people there (Andersen, Andreasen) and know that Piterbarg left as head of their Quant Analysts group some time ago. Any comments appreciated.Thanks,e

Piterbarg is now the head of the QA group at Barclays Capital London.

The two Danes are really nice guys and worth working with.

Andersen, Andreasen are certainly well respected. However you must also ask what the bank itself does with research. Andersen, Andreasen use to publish alot [when at GenRe] but seems much less since going to BofA. Look at all the people that left the quant research department over the years [yes I know everyone has turnover]. Big banks also probably have their models in place and just looking to speed things up and tinker around the edges. V. Piterbarg has substantially increased publishing since going to Barclay. Was one the reasons more freedom to write/speak ? Of course Barclay is building so a great chance to get things going and influence the path.

I would never work at Barclays unless you are not interested in switching to business. Publishing is not the sign of a good bank I think. Rather the opposite in some sense. What counts according to me is the power of the quants on managing the book. Whether they are people on the desk with a particular tole towards making PnL, or a facade.

Credit quants in BoA are few. I don't know their influence. There are good business people I think. But at the end of the day what is most important, good quants to make the business scalable, or big franchise to make margins. You need both, and you need to start with the sales.

Although the articles this week about Bank of America mentioned the investment banking, the convoluted organization of their GCIB probably means that trading will also be effected [there are references to that]. At least it would seem that propriatry trading if it still exists would be cut and cut back in 'investment banking' however defined would mean less trading for clients. With the troubles at M-L and Citi, they probably will also cut back substantially. Bottom line would seem to indicate not a good time for quants [esp. new hires] at these and probably other big banks until the dust settles.

QuoteOriginally posted by: sunyaI would never work at Barclays unless you are not interested in switching to business. Publishing is not the sign of a good bank I think. Rather the opposite in some sense. What counts according to me is the power of the quants on managing the book. Whether they are people on the desk with a particular tole towards making PnL, or a facade.Confused, but since when do quants manage any book? And at what firm do they generate P&L? I assume you talk about sell-side firms. As FI desk trader must I be afraid that quants will take over my book and I am left out fielding phone calls?......

at GS quants are pretty much involved in the P&L generation