Private Bankers- Anyone out there?

HGLTsuperstar

OK before anyone else points this out, yes I have cross-posted on different headings within the forum to attempt to get as many helpful posts as possible (its not against forum rules.)
So here’s my “unusual?” request: I have a first round telephone interview (if successful a final stage assessment centre beckons) for a graduate programme with a very famous (naming no names) private banking company. If there are any private bankers out there (note I said Bankers not W%^£*(%, before anyone else comes up with that pun) who could either on the forum or PM’ with more about their job, or any experiences, interview pointers etc PLEASE!!!!
I’m not selling out (not on their initial salary) – I am still a consumer champion but I really need this break so please!!!!

Astaroth

Will be working for our private banking division of my employers and I suspect that the company you are talking of may well be one of our brands

Was their something particular you wanted to ask? (if it is the same company then I did apply for the graduate scheme in another part of the group and was offered a placement - though didnt take it)

HGLTsuperstar

As I said, naming no names but just wanted an overview of the role - as I said any help gratefully received, especially making the right impression at interview and A/Centre

Astaroth

http://jobs.efinancialcareers.co.uk/job-4000000000203773.htm

The above is a fairly generic job description for a private banker.

Not to be repeated at interview but generally private bankers arent really much more than more highly trained advisors in normal banks

They do however tend to be very conservative - I know that one of the private banks we own still insists that all front line staff wear a dark suit, shirt/ blouse must have white collar and cuffs and no facial hair. At the same time however they must not be at all phased by clients (either their eccentricity or who they are - high net worth clients dont want to see a look of shock on their bankers face after they say they want to liquidate some of their assests, about £4m to go gambling in Dubai)

Woby_Tide

I'm surprised the graduate scheme is aimed solely at a single career path. Most finance companies offer generic schemes that they employ so many 'suitable' candidates then can start moulding them to various paths once they see more of how they operate.

Astaroth

Certainly with our private banking division the private banking graduate scheme is much more tailored towards training you to be a private banker... year 1 is getting a holistic view of the operational end including investments, credit, operational support and sales with year 2 being more getting qualifications and acting as an assistant for a banker.

Else where in the Group (eg the insurance division where I work for now) our graduates do 4 six month rotations with at least 1 in operations and 1 in a project management type role, the other 2 are free choices from things like finance, marketing, HR etc