Pros
Good benefits Salary Pension 4 weeks vacation if you are a level 7 employee and above 3 personal days to use as you please 5 sick days Performance bonus can be very significant (level 7 can get10%, level 8 is 12%, and level 9 at 17%) Some travel depending on the department, sometimes in business class if you are lucky
Cons
Authoritarian hierarchy (with some caste system overtones). Basically the bank maintains a strict pyramid organization Strict and literal enforcement of procedures, policies, and standards "Master and Commander" management styles that stifle diversity and discourage individuality Conforming workforce with no interest in innovation, continuous improvement, or anything different (sometimes the staff is identical to an union or bureaucracy) Only chance to get a promotion to a level 8 or 9 is "wait in line" for 10 years until a seat becomes available - seniority rules in this place People who play golf with the boss (and let him win) get the best, high profile projects or assignments This bank is full of "lifers" waiting for retirement: low vitality, low energy, no time for new ideas