Robert Baker has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry. He has worked at major investment banks such as Barclays Capital, ABN Amro, UBS Warburg, NatWest Markets and Rabobank as well as the hedge fund Solent Capital. He has developed risk management and valuation systems across most asset classes specialising in credit derivatives.

Holding positions as head of technology, project manager, business analyst and programmer he has used his experience of software development together with knowledge of financial products and the way investment banks operate to successfully interface between all business functions to ensure accurate gathering and delivery of requirements.

In recent years, Robert has moved into training and consultancy, presenting public and in-house courses opening up the world of capital markets and helping a range of companies in the financial sector to maximise their use of IT.

He holds an MA in mathematics from Oxford University.

Drive profit and manage risk with expert guidance on trade processing

The Trade Lifecycle catalogues and details the various types of trades, including the inherent cashflows and risk exposures of each. Now in its second edition, this comprehensive guide includes major new coverage of traded products, credit valuation adjustment, regulation, and the role of information technology. By reading this, you’ll dissect a trade into its component parts, track it from preconception to maturity, and learn how it affects each business function of a financial institution. You will become familiar with the full extent of legal, operational, liquidity, credit, and market risks to which it is exposed. Case studies of real projects cover topics like FX exotics, commodity counterparty risk, equity settlement, bond management, and global derivatives initiatives, while the companion website features additional video training on specific topics to help you build a strong background in this fundamental aspect of finance.

Trade processing and settlement combined with control of risk has been thrust into the limelight with the recent near collapse of the global financial market. This book provides thorough, practical guidance toward processing the trade, and the risks and rewards it entails.

- Gain deep insight into emerging subject areas

- Understand each step of the trade process

- Examine the individual components of a trade

- Learn how each trade affects everything it touches

Every person working in a bank is highly connected to the lifecycle of a trade. It is the glue by which all departments are bound, and the aggregated success or failure of each trade determines the entire organization's survival. The Trade Lifecycle explains the fundamentals of trade processing and gives you the knowledge you need to further your success in the market.