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Deborah Cukierman 1600X400

Deborah Cukierman

Managing Director, Fixed Income Sales

“At Wells Fargo, your work truly matters. Here, people talk to you because of the job you’ve done, not just because of the brand you represent. "

 

Why did you initially decide to work for Wells Fargo?
When I first joined Wells Fargo, it was primarily because of its reputation as a strong, established bank in the US, with a solid brand. At the same time, the bank had an entrepreneurial approach to developing its European operations, which intrigued me. Wells Fargo also stood out for its human and collaborative culture, which is a positive departure from the ruthlessness that can be seen in other institutions. That attracted me to the firm.

What are the main selling points of Wells Fargo as a place to work, especially in the Paris office?
It's quite similar to what attracted me in the first place when I joined the London office of Wells Fargo (formerly-Wachovia). Even though I joined 19 years ago, the core values have remained the same. Wells Fargo continues to be a strong brand in the U.S., with an exciting opportunity to develop the business in Europe, especially in the European Union. The opportunity to build and develop the platform here is a significant draw. In contrast to some competitors who may be scaling back due to overinvestment, Wells Fargo offers a more stable, sustainable development trajectory.

Do you believe Wells Fargo has scaled sustainably in Europe?
Yes, I think the management, both globally and locally, has played an important role in ensuring that Wells Fargo is seen as a developing business with a healthy development curve. Of course, there are limitations to how much we can invest, but there has been a very strong effort to maintain a positive business narrative, especially in the Paris office. We frequently receive calls from people who are interested in joining, which speaks to the strength of our story. Clients also show clear desire for deeper and broader collaboration with Wells Fargo.

If a friend were deciding between job offers from Wells Fargo and a competitor, what would your pitch be for Wells Fargo?
I would tell them that at Wells Fargo, your work truly matters. Here, people talk to you because of the job you’ve done, not just because of the brand you represent. In competitor firms, it's easy to get lost in the crowd, but at Wells Fargo, there's a real opportunity to be part of something that’s developing and evolving. The local and global management are supportive, and you have more autonomy and visibility, which makes for a more exciting and personal work experience.

What kind of person would thrive at Wells Fargo in Paris?
A positive, entrepreneurial individual would do really well here. It’s ideal for someone who thinks outside the box and enjoys having more independence and exposure to clients. Even as a junior employee, you have a lot of direct interaction with clients, which is something that’s harder to come by in other firms. It’s for people who want to be part of building something rather than just maintaining a mature business.

Can you tell us about your journey to leadership at Wells Fargo?
I started in one of the top business schools in France and joined Morgan Stanley's analyst program for three years in London. Eventually, I wanted to return to Paris but when I found this opportunity at Wells Fargo, I did not want to miss out and stayed in London for another few years. Over the years, I’ve grown within the firm, initially helping to develop the fixed income platform and later taking a broader role. Now, I am a fixed income sales managing director and also serve as French broker-dealer’s deputy CEO. It has allowed me to contribute to both local and global initiatives. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and I feel fortunate to work alongside such a talented team.

What has kept you resilient as a woman in this industry?
Resilience comes from learning how to navigate a challenging environment, especially when faced with resistance. You have to learn how to manage these situations and not let ego get in the way. My advice to other women is to focus on excellence, i.e. do the job the best you can. At Wells Fargo, it will get recognized.

Any final thoughts or advice for anyone reading this, who is aspiring for a leadership role?
My key advice is to forget about the ego and focus on delivering results. In many ways, you have to be better than others to make it in this industry. But if you stay determined, keep learning, and don’t let setbacks discourage you, there’s no reason you can’t succeed. Wells Fargo’s environment sets us up for success.