Profile: Patrick McGuire

Position:  Senior Economist, Financial Institutions

Because the BIS is a relatively small organisation, everyone needs to wear several hats in addition to having their own speciality. I examine problems in the global financial system, with a focus on international banking, and I have been a regular contributor of papers to the BIS Quarterly Review. Research in this area was particularly challenging during the financial crisis, which forced us all to re-evaluate what we thought we knew about how the world works.

The BIS offers a unique perspective on the world, particularly if you're interested in policy, international financial markets and linkages between countries. Before I joined, I was a graduate student writing on the Japanese financial system. I first went to Japan many years earlier, as a high school exchange student, and later returned for several more years of study. I knew I wanted to do policy work when I graduated, and thought I would end up in either Washington or Tokyo, but it turned out to be Basel!

Living here suits me extremely well: Basel is a small city with lots of green space and great cycling routes. Here, a long commute is 15 minutes on the tram! But, as home to two global pharmaceutical companies employing tens of thousands, Basel has a tangible international flair and a vibrant expat community.

Although the BIS is not a policymaking institution, it does act as a central point of communication where international policy decisions are framed and discussed. It's also unusual in that it is a relatively small organisation, meaning you don't get stuck in a cubicle somewhere, with limited interaction with colleagues, focusing on hyper-specialised work. My working hours are fairly flexible, but it can get pretty busy too - there are times when we have to work late or come in at the weekend. I thoroughly enjoy the front-row seat to international policy discussions, and take pride in the work we do aimed at enhancing global financial stability.