Measuring and limiting what a firm could lose, before it happens.
What the job is
Risk teams measure what a bank could lose and make sure it stays within limits - market risk, credit risk and operational risk. The work sits close to trading and management, and regulators require it. It is a steadier, more structured route into finance that still uses the same commercial awareness.
A day in the role
Measure overnight market moves against the firm's limits
Analyse a trade or a counterparty and sign off its risk
Build reports and stress tests for managers and regulators
Work with the desks on new products before they launch
Skills that matter
Numbers and statistics
Careful, sceptical thinking
Clear written communication
An understanding of markets and products
Typical routes in
Spring weeks and insight programmes
Summer internships with a risk rotation
Degree apprenticeship
Graduate risk analyst roles
Live risk roles on onTime
The most recent live roles from the onTime tracker. See every role
2027 BNY Summer Internship Program – Credit & Lending (London)
Starting pay varies by firm, role and location. onDesk does not guarantee any job or salary.
Is risk a good way into finance?
Yes. Risk sits close to trading and management, uses the same commercial awareness, and is a structured, well-supported route into a bank - with hours that are steadier than the front office.
What is the difference between market risk and credit risk?
Market risk is what a firm could lose when prices move. Credit risk is what it could lose when a borrower or counterparty cannot pay. Both sit inside the same risk function.
Do risk teams need to code?
Increasingly, yes - Python and SQL come up in most risk analyst roles, alongside Excel. The modelling matters as much as the reporting.
Other areas we coach
Investment banking
Advising companies on deals: buying businesses, raising money and listing on the stock market.
Suited to students who are organised, resilient and happy to be pushed hard on detail.
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