Vatsal Thadhani - Financial Analyst
We caught up with Vatsal Thadhani, to learn more about their experience as a Financial Analyst at Bank of America.

Can you explain your role at Bank of America?
I currently work as a Credit Derivatives Flow Financial Analyst in the CFO Group at Bank of America, as part of my second rotation in the Financial Management Analyst Programme (FMAP). In this role, I produce and analyze the daily P&L (Profit and Loss) for credit flow trading portfolios—specifically corporate bonds, sovereigns, and credit default swaps (CDS). I work closely with traders to explain large P&L movements and make sure everything aligns with the bank’s risk expectations.
I also write daily P&L commentary across desks and perform Independent Price Verification (IPV), where I check our pricing against external data like Bloomberg to ensure we’re valuing products accurately.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
A typical day begins with reviewing the daily P&L reports across our trading books. I identify key movements, often driven by market events or geopolitical developments, and then collaborate with front office traders to validate and explain these changes. I write detailed commentary to support the figures, which is submitted for internal and regulatory reporting. Alongside this, I have also started working towards my ACCA qualification with the support of the Bank.
Beyond core responsibilities, I’m often engaged in process improvements and knowledge-sharing sessions through the FMAP’s continuous training, with every day being a mix of analysis, collaboration, and learning.
What was the role like when you first started?
At first, the role had a steep learning curve. There was a lot to learn about derivatives, different trading desks, and what drives profit and loss. But thanks to the FMAP training, a helpful team, and the buddy scheme programmes at the bank, I was able to pick things up quickly. I also used internal tools and resources to build my knowledge and soon felt confident handling the responsibilities.
How did you get into this role?
I joined Bank of America through the Financial Management Analyst Programme (FMAP) after graduating with a BSc in Accounting and Finance from Queen Mary University of London. My interest in finance began early during my studies, where I took core modules in Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, and Derivatives, which gave me a solid technical foundation and sparked a particular interest in markets and trading operations.
Outside of academics, I made the most of practical learning opportunities. I completed several projects and internships during my time at university, which aided me in appearing for the interviews for the role. In addition to this, I was part of many societies at university, and worked as a Student Venture Capitalist with the Queen Mary Social Venture Fund. I worked in a team in sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, and evaluating start-up pitches with a social mission. The main thing that an employer looks for is the willingness to learn and being able to go the extra mile, as the team is very supportive throughout the programme and will help you achieve your career aspirations.
Can you tell us about a project you’ve really enjoyed in your role?
A project I particularly enjoyed was working in a team that led the automation of the Global Equities Balance Sheet commentary process during my first rotation. Historically, commentary was only triggered when movements exceeded a fixed threshold. We proposed and helped implement a statistical threshold model using standard deviation, which was more responsive to volatility and better aligned with real-time risk.
I also delivered training sessions on the new model across four Lines of Business, helping senior leaders adapt to the change. This project improved transparency, enhanced accuracy, and ultimately earned me Gold Recognition for innovation and leadership.
What stands out most in my current role is the level of responsibility and ownership I’ve been trusted with early in my career. From producing regulatory-facing reports to collaborating directly with front office teams, the exposure has been invaluable. It’s also sharpened my attention to detail, broadened my market understanding, and strengthened my ability to communicate financial insights.
Both rotations—first in balance sheet management and now in credit derivatives—have shown me how critical the CFO Group is to the bank’s success, and I’m excited to continue building my career in such a dynamic and impactful environment.