MAS for Mid Career Professionals

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I don't think they are drunk on power la.

It's just that they have some difficulty comprehending the limits of MAS' powers. We are indeed a regulator but we can only act in accordance with the law. We can't just override the day-to-day operations of the company because we don't fully agree with it.

In fact, I think the FIs here are generally co-operative and receptive to advice. If this were in the US, the FI/state may well bring a lawsuit against the regulator for overstepping its mandate.

I think this points to MAS not having enough law trained officers and in the management for a financial regulator. Especially in the securities, markets space, most regulators are staffed with much more lawyers. Lawyers are not always great people but they understand legal limits and the need to build a coherent web of binding regulations. Not haphazard moral suasion , random guidelines without teeth when things really blow up. Why guidelines? Only because industry is so called not ready for binding regulations.

To go back to the organisation culture part of this thread, MAS is not exactly as good as it looks. It looks good because worse and more unethical people exist in droves in the industry. On the international stage, it will become clear MAS is out of depth and all about putting up a front.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am doubtful whether the figures represent general pay level of TOs. $5300 should be on the lowe end for AD and higher end for a third year Associate. You also wont expect an AD working in a generalist ops to be paid the same one AD who is hired for his professional skills and experiences.

The AD pay range is eide and bear in mind there are 2 Grades within AD designation so if you are entering as G12, just about 3 years relevant exp... 5300 is prob the usual offer

AFAIK, TOs from the same batch typically have the same base pay (bonus from second year onwards may vary slightly). For my batch (those who were promoted to AD in April 2022), the guys are earning $6.4k+. Seems like there is a disparity between ADs who joined as TOs vis-a-vis ADs who joined mid-career?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

AFAIK, TOs from the same batch typically have the same base pay (bonus from second year onwards may vary slightly). For my batch (those who were promoted to AD in April 2022), the guys are earning $6.4k+. Seems like there is a disparity between ADs who joined as TOs vis-a-vis ADs who joined mid-career?

Not saying that none of the TOs get 6.4k but i dont think that is true that all do. First, MAS has no graduate trainee prog. TO is just a grade before you get to G13, which is still Associate in title.

Not all Associates are TOs. Some associates come with 2 or 3 years exp. With a background in higher paying industry like law, computing, data science etc these Assoc may command more pay w less exp already.

The concept of batch has been vastly diluted in recent year because there are hardly fresh grad hires. Most departments got no TOs intake for past 2 years.

And lastly, something clarified by MAS HR before is that MAS does not simply pay guys more. As a stat board, MAS pay policy need not provide for NS recognition. It is linked to industry salary level and your grade and performance.

Can anyone share how's the recruitment process like in MAS? How many rounds of interview and is there any reference check? TIA!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can anyone share how's the recruitment process like in MAS? How many rounds of interview and is there any reference check? TIA!

Should be at least two depending on how interested (or desperate for replacement) the hiring department is.

Reference check from previous employers as with most organizations.

HR should be able to answer questions on the above assuming you've already applied.

If you've not yet applied, have a read through some of the comments on this thread for a flavour of what you will be getting into. The experience after onboarding may be quite different from what you expected.

Vacancies usually appear because someone has decided to leave. If all is as good as it seems, why the outflow of staff? Pay is just the tip of the iceberg. Every resignation is a statement about a choice made, if not about the organisation then about the immediate working environment.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think this points to MAS not having enough law trained officers and in the management for a financial regulator. Especially in the securities, markets space, most regulators are staffed with much more lawyers. Lawyers are not always great people but they understand legal limits and the need to build a coherent web of binding regulations. Not haphazard moral suasion , random guidelines without teeth when things really blow up. Why guidelines? Only because industry is so called not ready for binding regulations.

To go back to the organisation culture part of this thread, MAS is not exactly as good as it looks. It looks good because worse and more unethical people exist in droves in the industry. On the international stage, it will become clear MAS is out of depth and all about putting up a front.

Brave and refreshing comments. Gives hope there are still people with a sense of reality.

To be fair, there are some very good characters within MAS. Good not measured by the rhetoric or other self-serving actions peddled in front of higher bosses to advance their own interests. The same for some we may come across in the industry. So its about individual traits and values, not tied to whether or not they are in MAS.

"haphazard moral suasion" - isn't being seen to be capable of hobnobbing with industry players also a good way to self-position for higher office, while waiting for a seat to be vacated?

Many employee surveys, few dare to speak up when feedback is aggregated using methods that make it easy to have identity marked. It seems there are some sacred cows that are all but beyond criticism.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Brave and refreshing comments. Gives hope there are still people with a sense of reality.

To be fair, there are some very good characters within MAS. Good not measured by the rhetoric or other self-serving actions peddled in front of higher bosses to advance their own interests. The same for some we may come across in the industry. So its about individual traits and values, not tied to whether or not they are in MAS.

"haphazard moral suasion" - isn't being seen to be capable of hobnobbing with industry players also a good way to self-position for higher office, while waiting for a seat to be vacated?

Many employee surveys, few dare to speak up when feedback is aggregated using methods that make it easy to have identity marked. It seems there are some sacred cows that are all but beyond criticism.

If you are unhappy, please leave. Stop leaving these negative comments, making yourself a hero

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Depends on department and bosses within the department. Some are very good but others are just not v capable.

Example???

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Vacancies usually appear because someone has decided to leave. If all is as good as it seems, why the outflow of staff? Pay is just the tip of the iceberg. Every resignation is a statement about a choice made, if not about the organisation then about the immediate working environment.

People leave for all sorts of reasons la. Find me a company where nobody has left and I'll give you 100 bucks.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you are unhappy, please leave. Stop leaving these negative comments, making yourself a hero

Although some of these comments are clear exaggerations, they actually provide a useful window into how staff on the ground are feeling (whether justified or not).