Anyone work in banking? Need advise please!

Generali

I worked I investment banking for 12 years before moving into the funds management side.

Banks have loads of really good opportunities and any good manager will aim to help you achieve it. They normally get measured on things like staff retention and advancement.

If you enjoy the sales side of things then that can be an interesting and lucrative route to take. Especially selling to businesses. If you close a million or even a billion dollar deal then you'll reasonably expect a good bonus.

Banking exams are a good idea to get you started. The bank would probably support you in doing them too once you've been there a while. I'd express an interest at your next appraisal with your boss or have a look on the intranet to see what the company's stance is on staff education. You'd be amazed how many look that gift horse in the mouth.

I'd be a little wary of back office jobs as they tend to get offshored or IT'd out of existence.

PM me if you want to chat. Good luck with your new career!

Southernman

I work for a bank.

I have been seconded out for a year doing two different roles of a back office tendency whereas previously i was based in Retail Banking.

The reason i left was the lack of opportunity for progression and to build up my experience.

Due to the recent announcements my current dept can't afford to make me permanent nor can they extend my secondment due to me already being on loan for a year so i have to go back.

I think timing is key. If the banking industry is going well you can apply for secondment opportunities internally like i did. If the bank announces £8m losses and job cuts however then you have to be just grateful you have something.

The department i'm returning to, half the management workforce are being made redundant and there will now be 20 advisors to 1 manager whereas there was a 10:1 ratio before.

I'm applying outside of my bank as we speak.

InsideInsurance

climbingeverest wrote: »

The bank I work for has a graduate scheme. I just hope I'm still eligible even though I graduated three years ago. But I'll never know if I don't ask.

Thank you for the tips. I'll try and action as much as I can.

The banking group I was with had their graduate scheme open internally to anyone of "degree caliber" rather than having the normal requirement of a 2.1 in the last 2 years.

I didnt have an honours degree at all when I was accepted on the scheme - though I didnt actually end up doing it as one of the directors on the selection panel offered me another job in the meantime with the promise of it becoming perm if it worked out or me going onto the grad scheme if it didnt.

Its good to get involved and volunteer but you do somewhat need to pick and choose. You want to be seen as a "future leader" not the whipping boy/ lacky. Volunteer to go to a meeting on behalf of your manager not to go pick up his dry cleaning so he can go to the meeting