Relationship Manager Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent at the bank as a Relationship Manager in the Commercial Banking - SME, Professional and Financial Services department. I have enjoyed all aspects of the role, although the mandatory training was slightly tedious. Nevertheless I have learnt considerably from my experience and am very much interested in working with the bank in the future.

I feel valued by both my permanent and temporary colleagues. I have attended roughly a dozen client meetings and was able to provide my own input in many of those meetings. I also received positive feedback for a presentation I have completed, as well as my preparation and consolidation of the meeting notes.

I have consistently received excellent support and guidance throughout my placement. During the first meeting with my line-manager, we mapped out the role I would undertake and what tasks I could carry out to help assistant both the bank and my professional development. All colleagues with whom I work made time to speak with me, and nothing was too much trouble.

I believe that I have been provided with a sufficient amount of work to ensure that I am constantly working on a task. Further, I was able to manage expectations as my workload was not too burdensome such that I could not complete the required tasks. I was able to seek additional tasks once completing the projects I have been working on.

I was given responsibility in limited areas, however I appreciate that working at the bank means that senior colleagues are required in most tasks. However, where possible I was given responsibility to prepare and deliver presentations as well as the agendas for meetings, which were then followed by relationship managers.

The greatest area which I have improved upon is the development of my presentation skills. From gathering research and preparing the session, to delivering my presentation in front of senior managers, I developed my communication and organisation skills. These will prove invaluable when I graduate university as well as in every-day life.

The atmosphere within my team was open and light-hearted, and I believe this reflects the open culture of Lloyds Banking Group as a whole. I got on well with all colleagues in my team and there were never moments of tension. The light-hearted and personable nature of my team suited my own characteristics and enhanced the atmosphere within our team.

The support provided by graduate recruitment / HR, as well as my line-manager and the rest of my team, ensured that the internship was seamless. Efficient and prompt communications were sent on a bi-weekly basis by the graduate recruitment team, and the IT services I required, such as outlook, were already established by the time I joined the team.

I had access to the banks wide-ranging arsenal of training articles and video interviews, which expanded my personal development. Further, I believe I developed my communication, organisation and public-speaking skills considerably as a result of the opportunities my team provided with me. The bank and my team have invested both time and money in me, and I am very grateful for this support.

I am currently undergoing the referral process for the Relationship Management Graduate Leadership Programme with the Commercial Banking Team. I am unsure whether the outcome will be positive, however I believe that I have contributed to the team in a way which justifies being offered a position with the bank. I hope to be offered a position on the Graduate Leadership Programme.

I spent a good deal of time with interns and colleagues alike, attending networking drinks with serious colleagues as well as meeting during the week to go out with fellow interns with whom I have forged strong friendships. The social scene could only have been improved if the bank provided social networking sessions to help interns meet with others, however this is only a minor point.

I am used to living in London as I am a student here and I am well aware that the cost of living and socialising is very high. However, the bank provided a London Living Allowance, and combined with my salary and accommodation support I was able to live and socialise with other interns without any difficulties.

The nightlife in London is second to none, and I made the most of my internship by visiting a variety of clubs, bars and festival.

I believe this is the main area of improvement as there were few opportunities for socialising outside of the office.