Commercial Banking Summer Intern Review

I enjoyed the placement. The team I was placed in was very welcoming and completely open to being asked questions. A lot of time and expense was invested in the interns; there were regular training and insight days as well as networking events. The provision of contacts and mentors already on the grad-scheme also helped me get a feel for the company from another perspective.

As valued as an intern could be I would say. Obviously I could not help or add value to the advanced or highly complex processes of the team but any work I did was definitely appreciated and especially good work meant that I was sought out by associates for more complex tasks later on.

I had very frequent contact with my line manager, once or twice a week. He kept me focused on the core objectives and tasks I had to complete for the internship. I had more contact with associates and associate directors who were very happy to give advice or talk over aspects of the role that confused me.

It was quite variable but I think that was a function of the specific team that I was placed with. I would say the work/life balance was good. There were day when there was little to do and the office was more relaxed but given that there was the expectation that if things got hectic everyone would chip in.

Within the actual role not a massive amount. A few times I realised after the fact that reports I had written had already been submitted before I was given them - my work was more of a practice run. When I felt like I had written a particularly good report this was a little frustrating. In terms of interacting with other interns and running events I had some more agency and responsibility.

I have definitely become more comfortable with calculations and have the confidence to make predictions and statements based on the trends I find in financial reports. Also I feel more at ease whilst networking. There was a big push to demystify the process and get interns to form new relationships.

Generally more relaxed than I was expecting. Nobody was running around screaming or forcing people to stay incredibly late. Associates and people on the grad scheme seemed to be very much in charge of their own work and time management and as long as people were not behind on deadlines, without good reasons, there was no issue.

In terms of training days and on-boarding very organised. I think a bit more constancy across the placements would be an "even better if", your experience was very team specific. I also would have preferred it if instead of having to do eLearnings we were given a mini financial or analytical course or qualification.

Quite a lot, personal development was a focus. We were encouraged to have frank conversations with our line managers about our strengths and weaknesses and how best to refine and bolster them respectively. We would then tailor aspects of the placement to give us exposure to tasks that could help in that regard.

Quite appealing, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the opportunity for international work. I welcome the fact that they take grads from all disciplines and are quite focused on upskilling and training you once you're in the company. There is a very large focus on character as opposed to specific qualification.

Yes there was, there were about 6 or 7 other interns in my office and we regularly met for lunch and drinks. There were also events that all interns across the country were invited to. This was really good for getting to know the whole cohort and getting a better idea of what other placements were like.

Quite high since it was in London but this was expected.

There were a lot of bars and pubs very close by and then a lot of restaurant choices.

Yes there were, I played for 5-A-Side football team, trained with the rugby team and went to a company 5k during my 2 months. If I had started a week earlier there would have been a softball tournament as well. I could not attend but there were also cricket and touch rugby tournaments.