Prop Trading Vs Sales & Trading

Sales and trading at large banks is about serving clients and executing trades on their behalf. Prop trading firms do not trade for the benefit of their clients. Prop trading barely exists at large banks anymore, thanks to the Volker Rule.

Traders at large banks tend to operate in broader markets with more volume as they have a larger amount of capital available at their disposal. The working environment and culture are different too. Prop traders can work remotely whereas large banks are susceptible to office politics. In addition, large banks are more heavily regulated than prop trading firms.