TreasurySpring
Csongor Mathe
06 August 2024
In our latest Emerging Talent profile, Csongor Mathe, a product manager working at TreasurySpring in London, speaks with Daniel Tison about his career and balancing new technologies against “old-school approaches” in the increasingly hybrid world of work
Image: Csongor Mathe
Can you tell me about your journey into the securities finance industry?
I found myself in the securities finance industry through a gradual evolution of my interests and career path. Having graduated from University College London, I joined TreasurySpring through a programme run by Jumpstart, as I was excited by its mission to build the best cash investment platform and the journey it would take to get there.
While I am actively involved in securities finance and repo trading these days, it was important that I learnt to walk before I could run. This involved mentorship, shadowing, and various other forms of learning like courses and industry events (plus some weekend bingeing of classic finance movies for a bit of light-hearted ‘research’).
As a young professional, what aspects of your role or the industry do you find most exciting?
One of the most exciting aspects of my role at TreasurySpring is the opportunity to work on cutting-edge financial products that address real market needs. I find it particularly rewarding to see how our solutions help some of the world’s largest banks access new liquidity pools and address regulatory challenges, while offering our investors cash investment products they would not be able to access otherwise. A rare win-win-win in today’s world.
In addition (and contrary to some misconceptions about the finance industry being rigid), every day brings a new challenge, the work is varied and I get to learn new skills in a stimulating and fast-paced environment. So, it is a win for me too.
Many companies offer various training and development opportunities for their employees. How has your company supported your growth?
As the old adage goes, “variety is the spice of life”, and in my opinion, this rings true for learning and development, as well. At TreasurySpring, this philosophy is put into practice through a combination of formal and informal learning methods. This not only makes the process more engaging but also equips us to navigate complex challenges with a more well-rounded perspective.
The company supports growth through a blend of on-the-job training, learning-by-doing, and formal mentorship programmes that connect senior members with those at earlier stages of their career.
Additionally, there is the opportunity to participate in a variety of industry conferences, workshops, and courses, all of which have been important puzzle pieces in my professional development.
What misconceptions about working in the financial industry have you encountered, and how do you address these challenges?
A common misconception about the financial industry is that you need a heavy finance background to enter it and succeed. In reality, I have found it to be quite the opposite. While having financial and economic knowledge is certainly helpful, it is not the only path to success in this field. What can be even more important is being a self-starter with a willingness to put in the effort to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Additionally, the industry seems to be increasingly valuing diverse skill sets, including technical skills for example. This shift means that having a less typical background, coupled with a strong desire to learn, can offer fresh perspectives and be incredibly valuable.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your career goals and aspirations?
Looking ahead, I see myself continuing to grow within TreasurySpring, building on my experiences over nearly four years at the company where I have been involved in various commercial activities such as bank onboardings, collateral negotiations, and trading execution. I am eager to further deepen my commercial acumen and delve into more specialised aspects of market operations and infrastructure that demand a nuanced understanding.
Just two weeks ago, we attended the annual International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) conference in Geneva, where one of the panels focused on developing markets and new liquidity pools. As the market seeks a more regulatory-compliant supply of cash and diversified funding sources, I am excited to continue helping fine-tune our unique solution to address these emerging needs.
What advice do you have for other young professionals aspiring to pursue a career in your industry?
As someone who started his role at the peak of the pandemic, working from home for a while, I have learnt the importance of balancing new technologies and ways of working, as well as ‘old-school’ approaches in this increasingly hybrid world of work.
While being up to speed on the latest innovations is crucial, the value of in-person meetings and face-to-face interactions cannot be overstated. These interactions are fundamental in building strong relationships and trust, which are vital in our industry.
In a nutshell, I would say: embrace technology, actively seek opportunities to meet both new and existing connections, and do not take yourself too seriously along the way!
Csongor Mathe bio
Originally from Hungary, Csongor Mathe grew up in four different countries and then went on to study history, politics and economics at University College London. Following his graduation, Mathe joined TreasurySpring in September 2020 as a member of the product team. In addition to actively trading and helping bring new issuer counterparties on board among others, he is now also responsible for driving forward TreasurySpring’s ESG and sustainability initiatives.
In his free time, Mathe enjoys sports, in particular football and skiing, and reading (he is currently halfway through Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Blink’).
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