The Curious Trader

In this post, I had the pleasure of speaking with J., the Head of Dealing at a London private bank with origins dating back to the 1800s. The bank specialises in wealth management and investment services.

J. has been with the bank for 17 years. Joining straight out of high school at the age of 18, he was already deeply curious about financial markets. For him, understanding global market movements is essential, but equally important is grasping the systems and processes that put this knowledge into action. As he explained, these factors can directly influence the success of a trade.

“Not every piece of information or process should be taken at face value,” J. said. “What has made me successful, and continues to keep me successful, is my constant curiosity about both the market and our systems. I like to understand how every piece of the puzzle impacts my department’s positions. For example, are there any types of crossovers between the USD/JPY FX rate and my European positions?”

Reflecting on his early years, J. recalls how asking questions shaped his learning. “I would say, ‘This is how I see it—am I on the right track?’ and senior colleagues would guide me with more specific answers. That helped me extract deeper insights and grow faster.” He emphasised that building relationships is an ongoing process, noting that there is always more to learn both from and about people.

When asked about setbacks, J. was candid: “Trading success is not linear. There were years when almost every trade we made was successful, and we were the talk of the boardroom. In other years, our star didn’t shine as brightly. But after many years in the business, I’ve learned to separate myself from my job. Making a mistake at work doesn’t define me as a person. That’s why it’s important to have a life outside the office: friends, hobbies, and interests that keep you grounded. The market is volatile, but I’ve found ways to stay consistent and pragmatic in my daily approach.”

Finally, J. shared what he finds most rewarding about his role: “The market is different every day, and that’s exciting. Some days I focus more on processes and systems, but when I’m trading, the satisfaction comes from knowing I can make an impact on the market and be part of something bigger. Sometimes you see results almost immediately, which helps shape strategy. That feedback loop, which checks whether your decisions and analysis are correct or if you've missed something, takes me right back to my curiosity. That’s what keeps me engaged.”