Pros
Good vacation: 4 full weeks. If you are a diligent worker, should feel secure in your position. Commute is easy with BART. Name recognition within the industry, looks good on the resume. Company does sponsor CFA studies and test taking. Work hours are reasonable. Good place if your background is physics or financial analysis. If you are a researcher, it is a really good place.
Cons
As a software developer in a finance oriented company, you are treated like a commodity. The company is actively pursuing offshoreing, outsourcing, whatever you want to call it. Upper management seems only focused on increasing the perception of value to investors, while neglecting the nuts and bolts of the everyday operations. Famous quote from the CEO: "In real estate there are three essential things: location, location, location. In our business, it's data, data, data." But many employees are left wondering why the actions dont match the words. Not much feeling of comeradery or team/company spirit.
