Daniël studeert Quantitative Finance aan de Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. Sinds februari loopt hij stage bij De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) binnen de divisie Financiële Stabiliteit, op de afdeling Macroprudentiële Analyse en Beleid.  

From university to central banking

“What immediately appealed to me about the Central Bank Internship Programme was the way quantitative models and econometrics are applied in a societal context. During my studies, the focus is mainly on financial markets such as equities and bonds. At DNB, I learn how similar techniques are used to analyse macroeconomic and financial risks. That makes this internship extremely valuable to me.

In addition, the central role DNB plays within the Dutch financial system really attracted me. I wanted to understand, from a helicopter view, how this system functions as a whole — and as someone who was born and raised in Amsterdam, I cycled past the DNB building for years. Now I finally know what goes on inside.

Research with impact

Within my department, I conduct research on risks to financial stability. For example, I am writing my thesis on the impact of geopolitical shocks on the government bond market. In a world where geopolitical developments follow each other rapidly, it is crucial to understand their effects on financial markets. What I really enjoy about this internship is that my research directly connects to current issues DNB is working on. The feeling that you contribute to something with societal relevance provides extra motivation and engagement.

More than just contributing

What positively surprised me is how much knowledge is shared within DNB. As an intern, you have plenty of opportunities to attend presentations by other departments, and there are regular lectures by external speakers. In addition, I am currently taking the course Machine Learning for Central Bankers, which aligns well with my academic background.

During my internship, I have gained a clear understanding of how broad and complex the work of a central bank is — from safeguarding financial stability to supervising large financial institutions. On a personal level, I have particularly developed my research skills, such as working with data, analysing academic literature, and formulating clear research questions with societal relevance.

A positive working environment with societal value

What makes this internship especially valuable is the pleasant and engaged supervision. My supervisor is always approachable and actively involved. We also started with all interns at the same time, which creates a strong group dynamic. It is both enjoyable and valuable to share experiences with interns from other departments — and new friendships naturally develop from that.

The working atmosphere at DNB feels like a good balance between professional and informal, with room for in-depth discussions as well as social moments during a coffee break or a Young DNB gathering. This internship has deepened my perspective on working at a central bank and helped me clarify what I am looking for in my future career.

My advice to students considering applying? If you want to make societal impact with your financial or economic background, I can wholeheartedly recommend this internship.