When the Instagram generation meets old-school Wall Street culture

"If I built the multibillion-dollar bank business, I would hate if one of my associates formed my company's image with one video. That's why he's been careful about the regular TikTok videos he started posting about his job before the Interview magazine spread. Sometimes he's even asked senior mentors at the firm for their opinions."

"This longstanding culture is butting up against the many young professionals who have grown up in a different age, where the norm is curating a public identity and the veneer of success. Current and former Wall Streeters told Business Insider they know the rules, which can make posting anything feel like a gamble."

"Allison Sheehan, a former analyst for private wealth advisors at Goldman Sachs, rolled the dice when she started posting her elaborate cake creations under the handle investment__baker in 2023. Even though she said she was careful to avoid mentions of the firm or her work, she was eventually dinged by the compliance department because her username alluded too clearly to her employer."

Four finance professionals sparked controversy with a luxury-branded photo shoot that violated Wall Street's unwritten rules about discretion and hierarchy. This incident highlights the clash between traditional banking culture, which prioritizes restraint and years of earned credibility, and younger professionals who grew up in an era of public identity curation. Financial services firms like Goldman Sachs and Barclays maintain strict compliance standards and cultural expectations around employee conduct. Young Wall Streeters navigate complex rules about social media posting, with some seeking mentor approval while others face compliance consequences. The tension reflects broader generational differences in how professionals approach personal branding and public visibility in conservative industries.

Read at Business Insider