Paris – Groupe BPCE, one of France’s largest banking groups, is offering an alternance – a work-study program – for a Business Analyst / MOA (Market Operations Assistant) specializing in credit risk computation. This opportunity, based in Paris, provides a pathway for students to gain practical experience within the DSI (Information Systems Department) Finance, specifically the Regulatory Calculators team. The program focuses on the engines that calculate Risk Weighted Assets (RWA) for credit risk, a crucial component of regulatory compliance for financial institutions.
The role comes at a time of increasing scrutiny on financial risk management globally. Banks are facing ever-more complex regulations, demanding sophisticated systems and skilled professionals to ensure accurate reporting and maintain financial stability. The Basel III framework, implemented by the Bank for International Settlements, significantly impacts how banks calculate and report their capital adequacy, with RWA calculations at its core. Basel III aims to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector.
Understanding the Role: Business Analyst / MOA in Credit Risk
The alternance program seeks a candidate to contribute to the development and maintenance of these critical RWA calculation engines. The MOA role, common in French IT projects, bridges the gap between business needs – in this case, regulatory requirements – and the technical implementation. A Business Analyst/MOA will be involved in gathering requirements, documenting processes and ensuring the IT solutions align with the evolving regulatory landscape. This includes working with other teams, such as those responsible for IFRS 9 provisioning calculations and system architects.
Specifically, the position will be embedded within the Regulatory Calculators line of the DSI Finance. This team is responsible for the core calculations that determine a bank’s capital requirements, a key metric for financial health and regulatory compliance. The team operates using a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology, indicating a focus on iterative development and collaboration. This approach allows for faster response times to changing regulations and market conditions.
The Importance of Risk Weighted Assets (RWA)
Risk Weighted Assets are a fundamental concept in banking regulation. They represent a bank’s assets, weighted according to their risk. Assets with higher risk – such as loans to borrowers with lower credit ratings – receive a higher weighting. The total RWA figure is then used to calculate a bank’s capital adequacy ratio, which is the amount of capital a bank must hold as a percentage of its RWA. Investopedia provides a detailed explanation of Risk Weighted Assets. A higher capital adequacy ratio indicates a stronger financial position and greater ability to absorb potential losses.
Accurate RWA calculation is therefore paramount. Errors in these calculations can lead to underestimation of risk, potentially jeopardizing the bank’s financial stability and leading to regulatory penalties. The role of the Business Analyst/MOA is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of these calculations by meticulously documenting requirements, testing solutions, and collaborating with developers.
Groupe BPCE and the DSI Finance
Groupe BPCE is the second-largest banking group in France, formed through the merger of Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne. It encompasses a wide range of financial services, including retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, and asset management. With over 100,000 employees, Groupe BPCE plays a significant role in the French economy. The group’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation is reflected in its investment in its IT infrastructure and talent.
The DSI Finance (Information Systems Department – Finance) is a critical component of Groupe BPCE, responsible for developing and maintaining the IT systems that support the group’s financial operations. This includes systems for accounting, reporting, risk management, and regulatory compliance. The Regulatory Calculators team within DSI Finance is specifically focused on ensuring the group meets its regulatory obligations related to capital adequacy and risk management.
Key Responsibilities of the Alternance Role
While the specific responsibilities of the alternance will be defined by the team’s current projects, the role is expected to involve:
- Gathering and documenting business requirements from stakeholders, including risk managers, compliance officers, and IT developers.
- Analyzing existing processes and identifying areas for improvement.
- Creating functional specifications and use cases.
- Participating in the testing and validation of IT solutions.
- Contributing to the development of training materials and user documentation.
- Collaborating with other teams within DSI Finance and across Groupe BPCE.
The successful candidate will likely be pursuing a degree in finance, economics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively are essential. Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as Basel III and IFRS 9 would be an advantage, but is not necessarily required.
The Growing Demand for Skilled Professionals in Regulatory Technology
This alternance program highlights a broader trend: the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the field of regulatory technology, or RegTech. As regulations grow more complex and data volumes grow, financial institutions are increasingly turning to technology to automate compliance processes and reduce risk. This has created a surge in demand for professionals with expertise in areas such as data analytics, machine learning, and regulatory reporting.
The RegTech market is experiencing rapid growth, with investments in RegTech solutions reaching billions of dollars annually. Statista reports on the global RegTech market size, showing consistent growth in recent years. This growth is driven by factors such as the increasing cost of compliance, the demand to improve risk management, and the emergence of new technologies.
What This Means for Future Job Seekers
For students and recent graduates, opportunities in RegTech are plentiful. Skills in data analysis, programming, and regulatory knowledge are highly valued. Work-study programs like the one offered by Groupe BPCE provide an excellent pathway to gain practical experience and launch a career in this dynamic field. The ability to understand both the business and technical aspects of regulatory compliance is a key differentiator for success.
The alternance program at Groupe BPCE offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the financial stability of one of France’s leading banking groups while gaining valuable experience in a rapidly growing field. It’s a chance to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges and develop the skills needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of financial regulation.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the Groupe BPCE careers website. The program represents a significant investment in future talent and underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in the modern financial industry. The next step for applicants will be the review of submitted CVs and cover letters, followed by interviews with the hiring team.
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