Assistant Relationship Manager Review

Commercial Relationship Management: I deal with customers between 2-25m turnover or 2-10m debt. I am currently working alongside assistants to the relationship managers of these customers. My day involves answering phone call and email queries from them, preparing for meetings, ensuring that all customers are delivered a high quality service and are treated fairly.

I have learnt how to develop relationships in a working environment, specifically with people from different backgrounds and of various ages. For example I am the youngest in my office so have learnt how to relate and build solid relationships with older colleagues. Another example of the relationships with people of different backgrounds could be working with owners of businesses in different sectors - such as the owner of a caravan park and the owner of an accounting firm. Just as a broad example, these two may be different so I have learnt to adjust to these different customers and how to act around them. I have also improved technical and organisational skills as well as improving general banking knowledge.

I enjoy the programme highly. I was originally looking to enter a career in accounting - however the social side of the job tends to be less prominent. Fortunately, I feel that my current job is the perfect fit for me... I can socialise with customers and colleauges as well as work with financials and do some financial analysis. To me, this is the best of both worlds.

I feel valued by RBS to a good extent - this is due to the fact that I am guarenteed a job at the end of my apprenticeship as well as the fact that I am supported wherever I ask.

At the beginning the programme was not very well structured - in my opinion this was down to lack of training for local staff (in respect of apprentices, nothing else) and the fact that the company had not had an intake like this for many years. However, now that I am settled in more and people know my capabilities, the organisation and structure are improving. I also now set a solid week structure with them - this gives time for each of us to plan what we want from eachother in the week.

I have received varied amounts of support from BPP. If I talk to anyone at the main email address they are great, however my specific assessors have been very inconsistent with support - such as replying to emails and giving solid feedback.

I receive all of the support that I ask for from RBS. My line manager ensures that I have all that I need and is always on hand to help me with whatever I need. She gives up time every month to help with my coursework as well as others in the office appreciating that I need to take time away from the office to be able to complete my work to a good standard.

The salary and benefits package is very generous, it covers my costs and it is a contributor to the reason I feel so valued by RBS.

The bank supplies various opportunities for self development as well as networking throughout the year, for apprentices and all other employees. Especially due to the type of role I am in, as well as the stage of my career, networking with other professionals and learning from other people is very important.

Yes

The support, rewarding nature, financial reward and brilliant colleagues that I work with all contribute to a job, and hopefully career, that I would recommend to anyone of a similar nature to me.

I would tell them to be confident and to not worry about their lack of banking knowledge if that is the case. Also, if you get to the interview stage, remember tha the interviewer is human too, they understand that you're nervous. Just prepare the best you can and research the company. I would /suggest that a candidate must be a good team worker, good people skills, eager to learn and are mature, in that they will be accountable and take responsibility.