Relationship Management Review

My role is to develop relationship management skills within banking. I specifically work in the large corporate sector and work along side a relationship director, managing director and other support staff. My day-to-day tasks change often depending on client requirements but its analysis, research, admin, account maintenance, lending returns, working with service issues and providing an overall best in class service to some of the most complex corporate clients .

I have learnt a number of new skills from technical banking skills for example understanding different products available to clients, like RCF's, Term Loans and more specific areas like syndicated lending, hedging, rating advisory, private placements, bond issuance. I have also learnt more generic skills like excel for example using VLook up & pivot tables, PowerPoint presentation ability and CRM systems.

The programme I'm on can vary depending which sector you could be placed within. My involves a lot of research, reading and analytical skills. I would prefer to be more customer facing instead of an analytical role however some other areas in my sector can get more viability and that's due to the difference in the portfolios.

The programme should be fairly well organised as the framework is set out however the company and the provider seem to not be on the same wavelength. It also feels like some colleagues aren't sure what work to give and aren't sure what to expect. The provider hasn't been organised and it feels they don't truly know what the professional qualification and how to help us complete it.

The employer is supportive in a number of factors especially around well-being and mental health issues. However as the training is provided by another body they can't get involved that much. We are given time to complete our work however this can be quite hard to set aside as other work requirements arise.

My current experience is quite poor, the training seems irrelevant to the qualification I'm currently studying towards and they can't provide direct help or guidance as to the format/layout of the assignment. It's a lot of self reading and the webinars are simply snapshots of what we have read already.

I'm currently half way through a 2 part qualification and currently I feel it has very little to all most no impact in helping me perform better. I understand we are required to learn about ethics in banking however this is not helping with understanding the technical side which is a huge requirement working in a large corporate environment.

The company provide a number of extra-curricular activities from monthly lunches in the team, sports clubs, the ability to volunteer 2 days a year and other less formal activities. There are many socials on weekly/bi-weekly occurrence along with pub quiz events and of course Christmas parties and summer events.

Yes

All though my experience isn't the most positive the opportunities are defiantly there. I'm a more mature apprentice and it can sometimes feel as though you aren't valued as much. However the qualification, ability to work in a organisation that is big enough to get the right knowledge however small to feel you can progress.

Be honest, understand what the company does and review its values and goals. Use these to tailor your answers around your experiences to show you understand the company. Show passion and a hard working attitude, this can be more valuable than knowledge and goes along way to helping you through the interview process.