Portfolio Manager, Credit Delivery Review

Recently started a role in the Credit Delivery team in Commercial and Private Banking. I daily deal with any new business deals i.e a new loan/facility for a customer or a whole new customer to the bank. Most of my interactions are with various internal teams to ensure that we can fulfil the customers needs as soon as possible.

I have achieved the Professional Banking Certificate since joining in 2015; I am currently working towards the Certificate in Lending Skills which will help me in my career progression as well as using the skills I will learn in my daily role. I have been to various training courses (mainly internal) which have helped me to develop existing soft skills, such as networking, as well as improving my writing skills.

Both teams that I have worked in (one during my Apprenticeship and my current team) have been extremely supportive and have offered a lot of guidance and help, this has helped to create a more relaxed working environment where I'm not afraid to ask questions! The job was nothing as I expected but turned out a lot better than I thought. I have thoroughly enjoyed the programme as it was the perfect stepping stone into this type of business.

RBS places a high amount of value on their staff and that was no different for Apprentices. Particularly when I started there was a lot of support and encouragement for me to reach out and do more. There was always constant support from my Line Manager with recognition for how much I have learnt/how far I have come since I started.

The Induction was clear about the programme and allowed me to ask any questions I may have had, but it also enabled me to meet other Apprentices with whom I built a strong network of support and have stayed closed to even after the completion of my Apprenticeship. The training was a little unsteady at first, however once I had a timetable in place as to where/what I would be doing and who with, everything was fine. My external mentor was an incredible support throughout the process, always answering my questions as promptly as possible. My teams have also been well organised with everyone helping out when needed.

My individual Skills Assessor Coach was fantastic, no matter what question I had or how many times I asked she would always respond promptly and with sufficient detail. Very supportive of my work and always encouraging, making the entire scheme much more enjoyable!

Line Manager was always on hand to answer any questions or find out the answer and let me know. I had a mentor in another part of the bank that I didn't see very often but kept in contact via email. I was able to spend a few days with him in his role and I now have that job that he was in thanks to his support.

First salary was beyond my expectations initially and has since fully covered my social and living costs. With the change in my work location my salary was still able to help cover the expense with enough left over.

I have attended several company events such as Careers Fairs to advertise the Apprenticeship, as well as external events with the Chartered Banker Institute to advocate Apprenticeships against higher education. There is also opportunity for several local voluntary initiatives which are often organised by my colleagues with plenty of opportunity to take part.

Yes

It's a business focused on continually growing to be the best it can be. The staff are always encouraging progression and reaching out and successes are celebrated and recognised within teams. There's a real atmosphere of working together to get things done with the customer at the focus.

The application process is relatively straightforward with the submission of your CV being the first step, after that a selection process takes place but you are always kept informed via email etc. as to where you are in the application process. The Onboarding Process can seem to ask for a lot of information but it's all necessary and if you have any questions the staff are more than happy to help. Interviews always seem daunting but the information on what it will be like etc. is provided in plenty of time to be prepared.