There has been a bit of movement in the market recently. Bill Blain, an MTN trader at Bear Stearns, recently parted ways with the bank. His future career has yet to be disclosed. Bill will be remembered by many as a colourful character. His most glorious moment apparently came several years ago at an issuer rally-driving party, when he jumped in at the wheel of a racing car, only to blow the engine 100 metres down the track. The market could do with a few more characters willing to blow a gasket, and there may be several at SNS bank's car-racing day in Amsterdam this weekend. World Bank's Gumersindo Oliveros has left the funding desk. Leak suspects he was worried about not receiving a big enough pension when he retires, because he has gone to run the World Bank's pension scheme. And BNP Paribas has announced a new face on its credit derivatives team. No doubt the new trader (Manish Chandra who was one of the five bankers who left Barclays after spending £44,000 at a swanky London restaurant in February) will be a popular companion for lunch, especially if he is paying.
June 14, 2002