Markets Analyst Review

Due to the nature that there are several different rotations that are undertaken during the program (6, 6 month placements), the roles have been changing. Generally a high level of responsibility is placed on apprentices from an early stage, meaning that quite quickly we are required to contribute to value-add work. Typical tasks can include contributing to client presentations, data analysis, pricing, contributing to projects etc.

There are so many different skills that are developed on the program. For example soft skills are developed as shadowing is encouraged, as are confidence and public speaking as I have been called to speak at presentations and help facilitate events. Additionally, IT skills are developed for example the use of powerpoint is imperative in the support of teams in putting together presentations for DCM or excel in many different placements.

I enjoy the fact that I am afforded a good deal of responsibility as I often see my work contribute to adding value to the brand. Overall the work is challenging most of the time and often fun however the only negatives I can see are that as you are contributing to wider teams, you also have the same deadlines and expectations. As a result of this, at times I am stressed and work long hours.

As is typical in banking, there have been a number of restructurings during my time on the program. The resulting effect of this is that the person responsible for the program has changed at times, which is often confusing as we don't know who to turn to if we have problems with the scheme. Additionally, the person in charge of the scheme has often neglected to inform us of things until the last minute, kept us in the dark in terms of what is happening and sometimes led us to feel like we don't know what our next placements/actions are.

In terms of in the business support, I receive at lot of this from the various teams within the company. For instance, I have been fortunate enough that everyone I have met has been very keen to get me involved and support my learning, especially given that several have put together pieces to aid my understanding off their own back. My line manager is also supportive and is keen to allow me time off to study and helps leverage their network to provide shadowing opportunities.

Kaplan haven't been a bad provider. Overall, they provide lectures and the occasional skills development day however neither are particularly often in nature nor are the very in-depth. Whilst they do provide materials and some testing materials, apprentices should be aware that learning is done all off their own back generally with limited support from the training provider, even to a lesser extent then university.

I am currently only partially through my qualification which covers a very broad range of banking activities. Overall, I would have preferred a course that is more in depth and specific to the areas that I am in, which more modules related to specific things I am working with such as FX or IR derivatives and less learning about retail deposit taking for example. Despite this, I get that the qualification is designed to make you a more holistic banker which I suppose is a positive thing.

There are plenty of professional networking events, different sports teams, social activities, Christmas parties etc at this company. There are specific teams at Lloyds that send out activities fairly frequently that encourage social engagement for colleagues as well as important milestones for the company, useful events for charity and sporting events also. From a social perspective, my experience has been very good.

Yes

Because the fact that you can rotate around the markets division at a large UK clearing bank gives you the opportunity to get as much knowledge as you want on different areas of banking. It also is useful if you are unaware of which banking area you wish to get a specialism in, as you can try different placements and decide whether you like them or not before you specialise. Also the support network generally is very good from colleagues, even if the organisation of the program is poor at times.

I would make sure that you are cognisant of what you are getting in to. Banking as an industry is one which is fast paced with long hours and you have to study on top of this. The money is very good and improves quickly however it can be draining to always be pushing yourself to stay on top. Advice for applicants on my scheme would be to get a basic understanding (don't go mad) of commercial banking activity like FX, Rates, Repo as well as bond financial activities (i.e securitisation, syndication, credit sales) to be able to speak about these in an interview. Additionally I would say to show that you are enthusiastic and interested in economics in the interview and you will be fine.