FX and Sterling Settlements Team Member Review

The job became repetitive at times but my manaqer gave me other tasks and responsibilities to keep me busy and diversify my role. I also got to move round the area a bit. Overall, it was a really good experience - i'm glad I took a gap year.

The bank made me feel very welcome and I felt valued by my team. I took part in training four people and took on extra responsibilities so I certainly did some valuable tasks so I felt as valuable as I could after just a year of being in the job.

When I joined I was trained by two previous gap years who'd come back to work the summer so I was supported fully. Once they had left the team were always willing to help if there were any problems or questions and they always had time for me.

Some days were really busy and others were rather boring. The day mostly runs on a routine (start and end of day tasks) and there are certain events during the month (pernsion and pay day) where we are really busy but the rest of the time it can be quite volatile.

I had a part in training four new people so there was quite a lot of responsibility involved in passing over my knowledge. Also, as we input and authorised payments it was important to make sure that these were done correctly especially when some payments were millions and LINK settlement was 100mn+. After a year I feel I had as much responsibility as you'd expect.

The skills I've picked up were the most valuable part of my gap year. I feel I've really got a leg up in the workplace because I've got proper work experience and I now have a lot to talk about in interviews which is relevant and better then any other person could come up with who hasn't taken a gap year. The bank doesn't invest in gap years as heavily as permanent staff but I had the opportunity to go on courses of my choosing and i'm sure I'll find these helpful during my degree.

It was a very friendly and lively atmosphere especially at the end of the day when people were rushing to get things done before our deadlines.

Quite well organised because the gaps were included on the initial entrant inductions and tasks were organised which included the whole of the year's intake . My area was helpful in trying to move me round the job roles so I could get an overview of the area.

The bank doesn't invest in gap years as much as intial entrants because obviously we aren't permanent but I think it is very much up to your manager how much you do. I had the opportunity to go on as many courses as I wanted to and felt were relevant but for long term investment, gap years aren't top of the list.

The bank runs a graduate scheme and while it attracts the best and brightest I'm sure the skills I've picked up this year and the reputation I've left myself will give me a good chance in the application process.

My area was quite a social area and we often went out at lunch and there were always a group to go out with on a Friday. In terms of other placement students we regularly went on lunches together.

Its London...