A Day in the Life of a Graduate in Private Banking
Meghan Meade-Flynn (Ireland)
0750-1300hrs
I arrive early at the office and take a quick look at my emails.
The first task of the day, which is probably the most interesting
for me, is heading over to the boardroom for the first Credit
Committee of the week, known simply as "credits".
The purpose of "credits" is to present new loan proposals and review
existing facilities. At the meeting we discuss the merits of each loan
and decide whether it would make good business sense for the Bank to
approve it. Its most unusual in banks for employees at Graduate level
to attend Credit Committee; this is the core decision forum and a great
opportunity to learn how loans should be presented and debated on behalf
of the Banks clients. It can be exciting at times and the debates can be
intense as no decisions are made lightly you need to have all the facts
to back up your presentation before bringing it to "credits"!
After "credits" I have a number of files that need to
be reviewed and half a dozen clients that need to be
contacted regarding their loans by the end of the day.
Already I know Im going to be kept busy and thats
before any ad hoc requests from clients and other
teams in the Bank make it my way. I prioritise my
workload and spend my morning working through the
various tasks. Theres never a dull moment!
I had arranged to meet a couple of fellow grads from
my development programme for lunch. We all keep
in contact with each other and its great being able to
meet up with them. I update them on whats happening
this week and they let me know about their respective
teams.
1400 1700hrs
When I get back to the office, I discover a client has
sent in a late request for a money transfer which I
organise immediately. This requires the involvement of
various other departments and it provides me with a
fantastic opportunity to build relationships with other
people in the Bank. The transfer goes off without a
hitch and I go back to completing my file reviews.
I tend to spend the later part of the afternoon checking
over the work Ive done for the day. Before I leave
for the evening, I take note of a couple of tasks to be
actioned the next day and jot them down in my diary. I
head out of the office with a couple of friends and start
my short walk home.
