Intern Review

The placement was really good - I was placed in Lombard Asset Finance. I enjoyed being able to learn about banking (as I didn't study finance etc.). The team I was placed in took the time to teach 1:1, there were also lots of online courses. I was given a good workload - where I had opportunity to help and develop my own findings that will contribute toward the team's future success.

My colleagues made good use of the extra pair of hands - they valued the insights I was able to make from work on individual projects. They really appreciate proactivity - having an extra pair of hands can be taken for granted (sometimes, they think you are busier than you are so offer to help!) the more you offer - the more valued you realise you are

I had several support structures; HR, line manager, graduate buddy, a mentor in my team and of course the intern / graduate network who are always happy to help. My manager was very supportive and encouraged the team to support me also. Each week I was with a different member of the team and they would also support me and provide learning opportunities.

Some days were obviously busier than others - but I had enough long term work that no matter how free my time got - there was always something I could be doing. There was a mixture of tasks I could ask to get involved with, readings that I could do and action and projects to work on.

There are, of course, some things that an intern can have full responsibility over and some things that are more appropriate to assist on. I had full responsibility over research tasks, which I had to present and feedback to the team regularly. RBS also has lots of different project working groups and collaboration programmes on - so there is always opportunity to step up and take responsibility of small bits. For example I had the opportunity to present back to the team about a presentation on personal skills. However - some things like credit are hard to take full responsibility over in a short space of time. But if you are capable and get offered - take responsibility of the task!

As a MSc student, I was still doing a handful of assessments along side my internship at RBS. Several things I picked up went towards uni presentations that I had to deliver online. Presentation skills, writing skills, market research etc all contribute. As I am yet to return to studies, I firmly believe that the confidence to analyse and see an impact will be good for my studies.

Lombard has a great office atmosphere - team are friendly and always active. The office could range from being super busy with limited desk space (in some offices you have to reserve desk space via an app / portal) to other days where it would be next to empty (RBS has a work-from-home policy where most staff are able to work from home often).

the internship was very well organised - from induction (which had some great tasks, speakers, workshops and socialising) to my first day in the office (where all my systems were ready to go, I had specific induction materials, a project brief and online learnings) to the rest of the programme (grads took ownership to organise further workshops and there were 'spotlight' sessions to show the bigger picture of the bank) Some systems took longer than others to set up - which was frustrating when trying to get stuck into work

You can tell that a lot of investment (in terms of time, resource and overall appreciation) goes into each intern. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved with other parts of the bank, managers take the time to speak to you and hear what you have to say, there are workshops and development opportunities that show they are invested in your future.

Very appealing. There are vastly different roles that I could apply to do, the grad scheme is very well set up and RBS is growing. All skills are valued, especially soft interpersonal skills

Yes, a big active whatsapp, lots of social and of course it's London so its easy to get a social going. Some offices are a bit further away, but a short journey (unless its heatwave season then it feels like forever)

It's London. I worked in Oxford Cricus (where the Lombard RD office is) and the prices are as you'd expect = living quite expensive but some good searching and it can be reasonable

London Also get discount in certain bars and resturants (nandos, be at one to name a few)

Plenty - a social team and social cohort meant that there were always activites to get involved in.