For the last three years BNP Paribas Securities Services has sponsored the Stock Market Challenge events in both Dundee and Glasgow. These events see S3 pupils (aged 13-15) spend the day working in teams of five to trade in shares and foreign currency by analysing information from the stock market. The project not only teaches young people how the financial markets work but encourages them to develop key skills such as communication, problem-solving, decision making, teambuilding, and negotiation. Staff also get involved and act as “traders” during the event.

The winners of the last Stock Market Challenge School competitions were invited to visit the Scottish offices in Dundee and Glasgow at the end of May. These visits were designed and geared up to allow for pupils aged 13-15 to come into our offices and gain an insight into the world of working in a bank!

The event went remarkably well in both sites and the school pupils left with an increased knowledge and understanding of who we are and what we do. The pupils learned about our company values and even had a treasure hunt around both Scotland offices! They had an opportunity to ask a senior manager questions about their job role (thanks to Carol Barnes and Jennifer Parihar who were put on the hotspot for questioning!) and the pupils also learned about the tradeflow cycle and were able to watch a live trade matching.

Lastly, the pupils participated in our Shine poster competition in Scotland. There were lots of prizes up for grabs over the course of the day and each pupil received BNP Paribas goodies to take away with them to remind them of their day with us! Shine is part of our leadership programme, which is about creating an open management culture of transparency, inclusiveness, empowerment and accountability by promoting our core business values of Team Spirit, Excellence, Innovation, Respect, Client Focus and Fun, and developing the leadership potential of our people.

A great day out was had by all and we are pleased to say that all pupils took away a learning from the day in the offices.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day a success!