We build rewarding, long-term careers at Stephens. Learn why Ray Kreloff, Fixed Income sales representative and recent business school grad, is excited to grow with Stephens.
Q: Ray, you’re quite new at Stephens. How did you go from Vanderbilt to Stephens?
A: At Vanderbilt, I knew I wanted a position in fixed income sales & trading. My decision to join Stephens was easy because they made it clear how much they cared about investing in me and my future. I started part time during business school so that I could take my Series 7 and Series 63. For about six months, I studied at night and got my licenses done so that I could hit the ground running. After graduation, I joined the Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) desk at Stephens’ office in St. Petersburg, FL and have enjoyed every minute.
Q: What drew you to Stephens as a firm and what made you excited about the prospect of building a career at Stephens?
A: I am fascinated with real estate and how interest rates affect the world economy. When I discovered I could combine those interests on a mortgage desk, I could not pass it up.
During recruiting season at Vanderbilt, I wanted to be on a rate focused flow desk, which led me to decide on mortgage-backed securities.
I had the opportunity to shadow an executive on an MBS desk, and became fascinated with the fixed-income markets, especially learning how to navigate them. At Stephens, I am learning every day, specifically how the bond market is often a leading indicator of what is to come.
Naturally, when most people think MBS they think ‘massive trading floor in NY’ (which is where I am from). I decided that Stephens was the right fit for me because of the amazing people I met here, and the incredible work-life balance that everybody seemed to have. The upward mobility potential at Stephens is superb, and possibly better than other firms. That combination of opportunity, balance and amazing colleagues made Stephens the perfect choice.
Q: Do you feel as if Stephens is making an investment in you?
A: Absolutely. And since they decided to invest in me, I am more than happy to invest in Stephens.
The day I accepted the job, I got a call from Larry Bowden, the head of fixed income sales and trading, and he said, “Ray, I hope this business card is the one you use for the rest of your life.”
If someone would have said that to me two years ago, I would have thought they were crazy, but now I know you can really craft your future here.
About the Expert
