Banker.

About the Role

Bankers provide services and advice to companies, organisations and governments. Their services can range from advising companies on mergers and acquisitions and negotiating the transaction, to assisting companies by providing financing for such transactions, to advising governments about the privatisation of public bodies and how to raise capital through equity or debt instruments.

Two roles in a bank are highlighted here: the relationship team, whose job is to develop relationships with clients and bring in new transactions, and the transaction execution team, who manage transactions on a day-to-day basis.

The relationship team

• Own and manage the relationship with the bank’s customers
• Develop and apply relevant customer strategies
• Be responsible for bringing in new business and negotiating deals
• Apply for credit approval for each deal and involve the transaction execution team in managing and co-ordinating the deal

The transaction execution team

• Ensure the transaction documentation complies with the original credit approval and, where necessary, seek credit approval for any deviations from that credit approval
• Work with the relationship team to deliver commercial solutions and drive transactions forward to meet customer needs
• Engage internal or external legal advisers to prepare loan and security documentation
• Review and negotiate transaction documentation and carry out due diligence, referring commercial and material issues to the relationship team

Routes to Becoming a Banker

Most banks run a graduate scheme across different areas of the bank, applied for in your final year of university – you’d typically be expected to have at least a 2:1, and to demonstrate the bank’s core competencies, usually tested at an assessment centre.

Some banks also run an industrial placement scheme, allowing students to spend a year working at the bank while studying for their degree (provided their degree programme allows a placement). This experience can help when applying for a permanent role after graduating.

It’s common to start in a customer-facing role and work your way up to a front office role as you gain experience and demonstrate potential; more senior roles will require a relevant degree and appropriate work experience.

Good to know: Many banks now also offer degree-level and school-leaver apprenticeships as an alternative route in, combining paid work with part-time study.