20 BNP Paribas Securities Services Interview Questions and Answers

BNP Paribas Securities Services is a leading provider of custody, depositary and related services for securities. They offer a comprehensive range of services to meet the needs of their clients, whether they are banks, asset managers, insurance companies, pension funds, brokers or other financial institutions.

When it comes to interviews, BNP Paribas Securities Services will be looking for candidates who have a strong understanding of the financial services industry and the specific services that they offer. They will also be looking for candidates who have the ability to think critically and solve problems.

To help you prepare for your interview with BNP Paribas Securities Services, we have compiled a list of some of the most common questions that they may ask you.

BNP Paribas Securities Services Interview Process

The interview process at BNP Paribas Securities Services is generally pretty lengthy, taking about a month from start to finish. It typically consists of a phone interview, an interview with HR, and then an interview with your potential manager. Some positions may also require additional interviews or case studies. Overall, the difficulty level of the interviews is average, although some reviewers found the questions to be odd or vague. The atmosphere during the interviews is usually professional but not too stressful.

1. Do you know what the current interest rate is?

This question is a basic test of your knowledge about the financial industry. The interviewer may ask you several questions like this one to assess your overall understanding of the field and how it relates to their company. In your answer, try to explain what interest rates are and why they’re important in the financial world.

Example: “Interest rates are the amount that banks charge customers for borrowing money. They’re usually expressed as an annual percentage rate, or APR. For example, if I borrow $1,000 from my bank at 5% interest per year, I’ll have to pay back $1,050 after one year. Interest rates are essential because they help determine how much money people can borrow and lend.”

2. What do you think about the upcoming Brexit and how it will impact the financial industry?

Brexit is a major event that will have significant implications for the financial industry. The interviewer may ask you this question to see how well you understand Brexit and its potential impact on their company. In your answer, try to show that you are aware of what’s happening with Brexit and that you can apply critical thinking skills to analyze the situation.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that we don’t know exactly what Brexit will look like yet. However, I do believe that there will be some negative consequences for the financial industry as a result of Brexit. For example, if Britain leaves the EU without a trade agreement in place, then British companies won’t be able to sell goods or services to the rest of Europe. This could lead to decreased revenue for European banks.”

3. How would you deal with a difficult client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client solve a problem or managed their expectations.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking for an investment that would give them a high return but also be safe. I explained to him that there is no such thing as a completely safe investment, but we could find one that met his criteria of a high return with low risk. He decided on a mutual fund that invested in stocks and bonds, which gave him a higher return than he expected while still being relatively safe.”

4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to prepare for it. When answering this question, you should be honest about your strengths and weaknesses while also focusing on the positive aspects of yourself.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who can work well under pressure. I have had experience working with tight deadlines before, so I know how to prioritize my tasks and get them done efficiently. My weakness is that sometimes I am too focused on getting things done quickly that I forget to double-check my work. However, I’ve learned to balance these two skills by taking short breaks throughout the day.”

5. Can you explain corporate actions to me?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the securities industry. It also allows you to show that you have experience with corporate actions, which are important for BNP Paribas Securities Services employees to understand. When answering this question, it can be helpful to define what corporate actions are and how they affect the market.

Example: “Corporate actions are events that change the ownership structure of a company’s stock. These include things like dividends, stock splits and mergers. They’re very important because they can impact the value of a company’s stock. For example, if a company announces a dividend, its stock price will likely go up. If it announces a merger, however, its stock price may drop.”

6. Tell us why you want to work at BNP Paribas Securities Services.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. It also allows you to show them that you did some research on the organization and have an idea of what it offers its employees. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description so you can refer to specific aspects of the role that appeal to you.

Example: “I want to work at BNP Paribas Securities Services because I am passionate about working with clients who are looking to invest their money. I believe my skills as a financial advisor would be beneficial to your team, and I am excited to use my knowledge to help others achieve their financial goals.”

7. Why should we hire you over another candidate?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the role. It’s also an excellent chance to highlight any unique skills or experiences that make you stand out from other candidates. When preparing for this question, think about what makes you different from other applicants. Consider including some of your most impressive credentials in your answer.

Example: “I am confident I would be a valuable asset to BNP Paribas Securities Services because of my extensive experience as a securities specialist. In my previous position, I helped clients with their investment strategies and financial goals. I have a proven track record of helping clients achieve their financial objectives through smart investments. I believe these skills will help me succeed in this role.”

8. Describe a situation where a project did not go as planned, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were able to overcome challenges or obstacles and achieve success in the end.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial analyst, I was tasked with creating a new budget for our company’s marketing department. The project was due at the beginning of the fiscal year, but I had not yet completed all of the calculations when that time came. Rather than submit incomplete work, I stayed late into the night to finish the project. In the end, I submitted the report on time and received praise from my supervisor for my initiative.”

9. Have you had any experience dealing with clients in Europe?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience working with clients in Europe. If you have had any experience, be sure to elaborate on it and discuss how you handled the situation. If you haven’t had this type of experience, you can talk about other international experiences you’ve had that are similar.

Example: “I actually worked with a client who was based in France while I was at my previous job. It was an interesting experience because we were both learning each other’s language, but I found that if I spoke slowly and used hand gestures, they could understand me better. They would also speak slowly so I could understand them.”

10. When was the last time you had to learn something completely new?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you approach new challenges. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly and adapt to change.

Example: “When I first started working in securities, I had no experience with financial markets or trading. My employer offered me training courses that helped me understand the basics of the industry. After completing these courses, I was able to start working on client accounts. While this wasn’t my primary area of expertise at the time, I learned as much as I could about the field so I could provide quality service to my clients.”

11. Are you able to travel if necessary?

BNP Paribas Securities Services has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have any issues with traveling for work. If you are able to travel, explain how you handle long trips or time zones.

Example: “I am happy to travel as needed. I enjoy seeing new places and meeting new people. In my last position, I traveled twice a month to meet clients at their locations. I also attended conferences in other states once a quarter. I find that I can adjust to different time zones quite easily.”

12. What are some of the characteristics that make up a good fund accountant?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the accounting industry and how you can apply it to this role. You may want to mention some of the skills that helped you succeed in your previous roles, such as attention to detail, communication skills or time management.

Example: “A good fund accountant should be organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently. I have these characteristics because I am a strong communicator who enjoys working with numbers and analyzing data. In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once while ensuring all deadlines were met.”

13. Are you aware of NAV calculation methods?

This question is a technical one that tests your knowledge of the financial industry. It also shows how you can apply this knowledge to your work as an analyst. Use examples from your experience or explain what NAV means and why it’s important.

Example: “NAV stands for Net Asset Value, which is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets. This method is used in many countries, including France where I worked before. In my previous role, we had to calculate the company’s NAV every month. We did so using the balance sheet at the end of each day. The process was time-consuming but necessary.”

14. How flexible is your schedule?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re willing to work outside of normal business hours. It’s important to be honest about your availability and how it might affect your ability to take on this role. If you have a flexible schedule, consider mentioning that you are open to working overtime or weekends as needed.

Example: “I am available for full-time employment Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, I am also available to work overtime or weekends when necessary. My flexibility is one of my greatest strengths because it allows me to meet the needs of my employer while still maintaining a healthy balance in my personal life.”

15. Provide an example of when you had to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experience that highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “In my current role as a financial advisor, I manage multiple clients at once while also managing their accounts and investments. In this position, I have learned how to balance multiple projects by prioritizing client needs and ensuring all of their questions are answered in a timely manner. This has helped me develop strong communication and customer service skills.”

16. What is your experience with SQL?

SQL is a programming language that can be used to create and modify databases. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience with SQL, as well as how you use it in your current role. If you have previous experience using SQL, describe what you did with it. If you do not have any experience with SQL, explain why you would like to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve worked with SQL before when I was working at my last job. My manager asked me to write some code for our database so we could track customer information. I had never written code before, but I researched SQL online and learned how to use it to add new tables to our database.”

17. Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It also shows them how you can use your problem-solving skills and creativity to find solutions to customer issues.

Example: “I once had a client who was having trouble accessing their account online. I called them up, and they told me they were using an old computer with outdated software. I offered to help them set up a new account on my work computer so they could access it from home. They were very grateful, and we ended up building a long-term relationship.”

18. What problem solving techniques do you use?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a problem and what methods you use to solve it. You can answer this question by describing your process for solving problems, including which techniques you prefer and why.

Example: “I start my problem-solving process by identifying the issue at hand. Then I research possible solutions and evaluate each one based on its likelihood of success. After that, I choose the best solution and implement it. If there are any issues with the implementation, I try to resolve them as soon as possible so they don’t affect the overall outcome.”

19. If there were two equally qualified candidates, which one would you choose?

This question is a great way to test your decision-making skills. It’s important to show that you can make the right choice and choose candidates who will be successful in their roles. When answering this question, it’s best to give specific reasons why you would choose one candidate over another.

Example: “I would choose the candidate with more experience because I believe they have a better chance of being successful in this role. The other candidate may be able to learn from them and grow into the position as well, but I think having someone with more experience would help me achieve my goals sooner.”

20. What type of accounting software have you used previously?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with accounting software. If you have no prior experience, you can describe what type of software you would like to use if hired and how it might benefit you in your role.

Example: “I’ve used both QuickBooks Online and Xero for my freelance bookkeeping business. I find that both are easy-to-use platforms that allow me to complete most tasks efficiently. However, I prefer using Xero because it’s more affordable than QuickBooks and offers a wide range of features that make my job easier.”