Commercial Banking Intern Review

My day to day work involves working with some of the largest and most complex corporate businesses in a set geographical region. The team works to review credit applications, provide financial services, build relationships and service clients by providing loans and ancillary business. In the team, I spent a lot of time using Excel, formulas, financial models and attending team and client meetings. I also engaged with the wider geopolitical and economic climate to write up remarks.

I was given a lot of responsibility, doing work for current processes involving our clients that I was able to see through and track in terms of progress. This meant that I felt really involved in the business and the team from the outset, and I felt really valued.

I developed lots of new skills, the key technical skills being analysis and computational thinking where I was challenged to engage with data in my everyday work as well as break tasks down, and be able to tell the stories behind figures. I also developed some more behavioural skills including communication, collaboration and resilience through working in a large team, presenting and communicating with key stakeholders including clients.

I recieved a lot of support from the Early Careers team including my dedicated Programme Specialist and Buddy assigned through a Buddy system in place within the Early Careers Community. I also felt very supported by my fellow interns, and my wider team including my placement manager who was always kean to reach out and explain anything I was challenged by at all times.

The company culture is really positive, with core values such as valuing difference and suceeding together being reflected through everyday interactions and ways of working. There is a great culture of inclusivity, supported through dedicated Employee Resource Groups, as well as leadership principles aiming to build better leaders throughout the company. I also found that the work-life balance was positive, as we were challenged to continue to uphold a 'wobbly line' dipping into personal and work activities at different times.

I really enjoyed my internship. I learnt so much about the financial services sector and found that this was helped by being thrown into real, meaningful work straight away. This allowed me to develop and transition into a professional quickly and effectively. I was constantly challenged, but also supported through these challenges by the community around me to push me outside of my comfort zone, whilst also having trusted peers around me to support me if needed. I loved the focus on skills development thorughout, and the championing of the importance of having a positive influence on the wider community through social and environmental initiatives.

Yes