First "Traders Trophy" Competition Organized In The United States - Continuous Search For Financial Talent

Elizabeth Jeong, student at the New York University bested 30 fellow students in the Traders Trophy final, which took place at the New York Stock Exchange. As the best US student trader, he won a check for $1,000 and also earned a spot in the World final in May 2011, during which she will compete with the winners of 13 other countries in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The United States Traders Trophy is sponsored by Barclays Capital, NYSE Euronext and the international financial training company Oxyor and is one of the 13 national competitions which together constitute the Traders Trophy Worldwide. The simulation developed by Oxyor, is based on real life data and creates an environment that is almost identical to that of a trading room. Students from six different universities competed to be named the best young trader of their country. Thanks to the support of Barclays and NYSE Euronext, the first Traders Trophy in the US was rolled out Columbia, Cornell, NYU/Stern, Penn State, Princeton, and Wharton. During this first edition, more than 550 students enrolled in the first qualification rounds hoping to qualify as one of the 30 final candidates.

"The Traders Trophy Worldwide is growing at a fast pace. This year, the Traders Trophy competitions are organized in 13 countries and in May 2011, the World final will take place in Amsterdam where candidates will compete to become the "best student trader of the World", comments Simon Meijlink, Managing Director of the Traders Trophy, who is also responsible for the development of the software used for the trading simulation. "There is a growing demand for trading talent from financial institutions and through sponsoring of the Traders Trophy they can recruit financial talents."

Tim Peat, Barclays Capital’s Head of Campus Recruiting said "Barclays Capital believes strongly in nurturing the graduate talent in America and this competition provides these students with an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in a simulated trading environment that will challenge their skills of trading discipline and commercial judgment."

"Financial literacy and education are priorities at NYSE Euronext and we are excited to support the first Traders Trophy U.S. competition," said Duncan Niederauer, CEO, NYSE Euronext. "This instructive, hands-on simulated trading experience provides a solid foundation for future entrepreneurs to introduce them to careers in finance."

Andrew Miller, a Senior Partner of Oxyor said, "We are proud to be associated with the Traders Trophy competition. We support the identification of young talent in the financial markets and this competition highlights the broad skill set that well-rounded, responsible investment bankers need in order to succeed."