Compensation is exceptionally poor for people who work in technology. Bonuses are entirely politics based. It doesn't matter how hard you work. You might come up with a trading algorithm or technology enhancement that enables the trading desk to increase PnL by 50% to £1m, but don't expect that to be reflected in your bonus. You're still getting a fixed 20% so my best advice is to go home at 5 and not make the extra effort.
The business side still has absolute control over the budget, changing it widely from +/- 10% EACH quarter. It's impossible to plan any kind of stable headcount.
Management is poor. If you come up with a great idea in DB make sure you keep it to yourself, because EVERYONE will steal it and give you no credit whatsoever.
There are lots of opportunities in DB, but no one is going to help you take them. You've got to play political games all the time.
The graduate scheme is pretty awful. HR have made the assumption that if you're a graduate you know nothing about either banking or technology. I learnt nothing in the time I had training. You also get lumbered with two "Change Management" projects, which are essentially a load busy work and a waste of time. You teams management won't give you support in doing this so you're going to end up working weekends on it.
