Was it Morgan Stanley? That is the only shop I can think of that is so focused on C++. Hell, they hired Bjarne Stroustrup.

But since you say version control was CVS, then I guess it was Goldman. They still have that sheizen for SecDB/Slang today.

And I assume that "Kirat" is Kirat Singh of Goldman SecDB/JPM Athena/BofA Quartz/Beacon?

Yes goldman and yes that Kirat. Fun fact, the Windows port colleague was John Madsen who later became CTO of Goldman I think.

Google brought up this; Kirat Singh - https://apacentrepreneur.com/kirat-singh-passion-and-determi...

Very impressive indeed.