Assistant Relationship Manager Review

Supporting a portfolio of SME customers with their banking needs. For example, liasing with appropriate teams to increase credit limits and open new accounts. Signposting customers to services we offer that can benefit them and looking after their accounts by conducting secruity reviews. All in all making their experience with the bank as straightforward as possible.

I already had strong customer realtionship skills from my time as a store manager in a busy retail shop but I find this role has developed this exponentially. I had zero banking experience so I have learnt numerours skills around banking, finance and regulations. I learn something new every day.

The programme with BPP all in all has been enjoyable however there are some moments where I find the work and missions are very repititive. This can make the process quite mundane. The role itself I am enjoying and feel that the apprenticeship has been extremely useful in helping me to attain a professional banking certificate.

It could be better. I have been on programme now for just under a year yet I have had 3 coaches so far. Each with a different working style which has not been very helpful at times. Most pf the webinars have been helpful however I have found a couple slightly time wasting, this could be though because of my customer service experience already. Some of the webinars have been rescheduled with zero notice.

I recieve a lot of support from my employer to complete my apprenticeship. My line manager continuously asks me how I am getting on through regular catch up sessions both face to face and virtually. I have been buddied with a relationship mananger who has completed the programme which has helped tenfold.

As stated previossly, I am now on my third coach and have found varying support from each. Overall I would say that I have been given good support but find that some of the feedback has lacked detail which couldv'e helped me to get a distinction level in my missons had it been there to begin with.

The beginning of the programme has definitely supported me in my role as this was all about studying for my professional banker certificate. The webinars and rescources for this were extrmely helpful. I find the reflection/missions are useful in supporting me to review how far I have come and what I have learnt.

These have not been very often due to the covid 19 pandemic. Pre the pandemic, volunteer opportunities and professional networking events were held quite regularly. These are now starting to slowly be introduced. I have two volunteer days already planned with my team for the next few months as well as a face to face team meeting with the whole of our region upcoming.

Yes

I find that the bank does look after its employees and supports them in their career. I think it is fantastic that they have this apprenticeship as people like me would struggle to get into banking any other way if they come from another career background. NatWest cares about our customers and is always looking for ways to support them in their every day needs.

If you are not coming from a banking/finance background then do not worry. NatWest value the things that cannot be taught. If you have a great work ethic, teamwork skills and the drive to support customers then that is what they look for. Anything technical can always be taught.