Bank Independent’s Post

After campus, I got the opportunity to work as a bank teller (see pic below for my first day at work 😅 ) It was my first job. I loved it❤️ The gross salary was 40k, which was quite good for someone fresh out of campus. I could finally afford to buy myself several good suits, take my girlfriend out for a dinner date, rent out an apartment, and even visit my parents with gifts for raising a smart banker 😎 Life was good. However, about three months into the job, my excitement started to wane😣 Spending all my days counting money (that's not mine) and dealing with the occasional rude and unpleasant customers didn't seem as exciting as I had initially thought. Remember, I had studied English and literature on Campus, so dealing with numbers wasn't something I was particularly passionate about. I loved playing with words, not numbers. To make matters worse, the job took almost all my time, so I didn't even have the time to read my favorite books. Or write random thoughts on my pad. The only day I was 'free' was Sunday, and even then, I had to do laundry 😫 Slowly by slowly, I started to hate the job. While I still did what I had to do, life sulked. I hated Mondays. Heck, I hated every day of the week! Even the idea that I would eventually be promoted to other senior positions and be the boss didn't excite me 😒 I looked at our bank manager. He enjoyed his work, but I didn't want to be him in my 40's. Long story short, I quit the job about a year later. Looking back at it now, I realize there wasn't something wrong with the job. And there wasn't something wrong with me either. The only problem is that my gifts and passions weren't aligned with that job. Crunching numbers wasn't my thing. And just so we are clear, my motivation for writing this post isn't to trash banking jobs. Far be from it. In fact, I will be eternally grateful to the bank that gave me my first job when I didn't know anything about the corporate world. I was as raw as they come. And they opened my eyes. My goal for this post is to show that we are gifted differently. There is something that each one of us is good and passionate about. While I couldn't survive in the banking world, I'm making a real difference in content marketing. And that's just how life is. Some of us are content marketers. Others are bankers. Others are engineers. Others are musicians. We are all cute! If you can discover what sets your heart on fire and then find a way to earn serious bucks from it, you have truly found your path ☀ #thejourney #contentmarketer #seocopywriter

I chose never to " GIVE UP" Today, I pause to recognise the power of not giving up. If I had given up on my fourth job application to Scotiabank,  I wouldn't have succeeded on the fifth attempt. The truth is that's the place I've always wanted to work from attending high school, and the truth is I never applied to any other Financial Institutions. It was my dream to become a Scotiabanker.  I said to myself,  try again. You don't if someone resign, got transferred,  got promotion or honestly even die...you just got to keep trying.  The funny thing is, they actually review files and select applicants. My reason for saying this is when I was being processed, I got a letter stating " we have no vacancy, we've placed your application on file....". I got confused for a minute but as a smart person,  I said oh they must have  pulled my application from the file, remember I never stop applying. My message is DONT give up, my 5 attempts cannot be compared to Thomas Eddison's 1000, and DO NOT fall victim to the story shared in Think and Grow Rich of the man who gave up " Three feet from Gold". A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits! #mindset #perserverance #resilience  #courage #focus

Dreaming of a Career in Investment Banking? Here's Your Insider's Guide! Investment banking is a competitive but rewarding field. This article offers an insider's perspective, providing valuable insights and actionable steps to help you break into the industry. Learn from a career coach and former banker about: 📌 Simple definition of an investment banker's role: To manage money. You will need to be good with numbers, understand the banking industry and financial instruments (loans, bonds, stocks, etc.), be meticulous, multitasking and can work in high-stress environments. 📌 The typical career path and opportunities beyond banking: Let’s begin with earning a relevant undergraduate degree and an internship, followed by your first job as a Financial Analyst and head up for plenty of other career options in private equity, hedge funds, or financial technology (fintech) From stages to stages until you land your full-time banking job or even beyond, here 5 crucial steps for your success: ◾ Get the Right Education: A four-year degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is essential. To stand out in this competitive job market, let’s aim for top grades, relevant extracurriculars, and consider advanced degrees or certifications like MBA, CPA. Also, stay current on industry news and trends. ◾ Secure Internships: Not only to have a training ground and help build your resume, but also get you know yourself and what it’s like working in a real-world environment, also build relationships. It’s advisable to start early before the summer internships begin after your first year of university. ◾ Network Strategically: Savvy future bankers build relationships with professionals from the first day of school through campus recruiting, alumni networks, industry groups, and LinkedIn. Simply ask to connect with a note that shares a little about you and why you’d like to talk. Keep in touch and add value to those relationships by sharing an industry event, a new resource, or even something related to a personal fact. ◾ Craft Your Online Brand: Create a strong profile on LinkedIn, website or other social media that showcases your skills, experience, and passion for investment banking. Engage in industry conversations online and add value to differentiate yourself by your career story, or personal sharing. ◾ Repeat and Refine: By applying these tips, you will gain newfound clarity to evaluate your progress, refine your approach, and be open to alternative pathways into the industry. Keep working in this way until you land the internship or full-time job so you will be satisfied. This guide is absolutely packed with practical advice to help you achieve your goals. Ready to make your mark in investment banking? Read the full article now! https://lnkd.in/gZApR5Q #InvestmentBanking #CareerAdvice #Finance #Mentorship #Networking #JuvenisMaxime

We have offered 27 employment opportunities, in Group Risk, through the YES Youth graduate programme as part of our offering to skills development in the banking sector. What better time to do this, than during youth month!  #WeAreNedbank  #ThePeopleSideofRisk

I've had conversations over the past few years with friends and acquaintances in banking, all who are senior in their roles. They are successful, but also starting to question - what's next? What do I want to accomplish in life? When I started in banking, I quickly realised that it really was good to look at the role in the bank and two and out or two and up. You either build your career for two years then transition out, or you look to build your career in banking. Banking can be and is a noble profession - say what you will, it makes the world go round - money is needed in every corner of society. I remember my then manager at Goldman Sachs once being asked whether her job contributed to society. Our team covered equity swaps then - and her answer was both good and true - "We help teachers retire well." And, indeed we did. A couple of our clients were huge pension plans, and we helped them to invest so that their fund would have enough to give the teachers a good future. Having said that, when a person is successful, and is near the pinnacle in ANY career or industry (or even as a mid-career professional), there really is that crisis of "what's next?" I'm grateful to have done the two and out, where I went to Uber to do ops and tech, to Grab launching consumer finance products, and then on two my last two employers where I've lead sales and BD. It's been a fun and rich experience. I've also had friends who have spent a decade or two in their various roles in their banks who love it. They go to work with a smile on their faces because markets or deals excite them. For those who aren't sure what they want to do next, my question to you is this - "What makes you happy?" You have been working long and hard for others - your family, your bosses, yourself to a certain extent. But, what do you think would make you happy? 😊1/ Write out all the things that would make you happy 😊2/ Revisit what you love but also what you don't like so much about your job 😊3/ See what elements of what make you happy fit in there 😊4/ If it diverges too much, start the process to look for something that can align with your stage of life 📸 : Taken in Charlotte, North Carolina - February 2016 ----- 👨🏻💻 Follow me, Ee Chien, for more writings on entrepreneurship, tech, personal finance, life and current events. Need help with business and/or career growth? Shoot me a message for coaching services!

How Can I Successfully Break into Commercial Banking Careers? Answers: https://lnkd.in/geiqqiwC #CommercialBanking #CareerAdvice #CreditAnalyst Hey everyone! 🌟 I'm reaching out because I'm eager to break into the world of **commercial banking**, specifically looking for roles like a **credit analyst**. With only one semester left, I know I need to sharpen my technical skills, but I've had a bit of a setback with my GPA after a challenging spring semester. Honestly, it really knocked my confidence! 😔 So, I’d love to hear from you all! Here are a few things I’d appreciate advice on: Technical skills: What should I focus on to strengthen my knowledge in commercial banking? Any specific tools or resources you recommend? Resume tips: How do I make my limited experience stand out, especially with a not-so-great GPA? Networking: What's the best way to connect with professionals in commercial banking? Any platforms or events you recommend? Building confidence: How did you get over setbacks in your academic or professional journey? Any personal stories you can share? Breaking into commercial banking can feel daunting, especially after a...

I am excited to share that I have successfully completed my internship at SG Kleinwort Hambros. This experience has been an incredible journey providing me with valuable insights and practical knowledge in the world of private banking. During my time at SG Kleinwort Hambros I’ve had the privilege of working with multiple teams which each helped me gain so much knowledge on so many things I didn’t know about the banking industry. Here’s some of the things I learnt and saw during my time there: Treasury: I looked at the sales and trading of treasury products, such as bonds, derivatives, and structured products to meet client needs and generate revenue. I also saw the bank utilise various financial instruments to hedge against interest rate and currency fluctuations to protect the bank’s financial position. I also looked at Python scripts that helped clean data on bonds purchases. Investment Management: I watched the bank communicate with clients to help assess their risk tolerance and see them create a bespoke portfolio tailored to their needsand also saw a few examples of certain clients portfolio performance. I also saw how the bank takes its house views and converted them into strategies for clients to follow and also compared them to different portfolios in the market to see how they perform against competitors portfolios. B2B: I looked at how private bankers liase with independent financial advisors and external asset managers to manage the wealth portfolios of high net worth clients. I was also involved in a few team meetings which helped me see how team work is key to completing tasks effectively. Credit: I explored lending solutions for clients and learned how to price loans and deposits while also seeing how the bank offers mortgages,loans using assets such as property as collateral and also learnt about Lombard loans which are backed by investments or cash the client may have with the bank. EXO Desk: I looked at trade orders for stocks, bonds and ETFs being completed on behalf of clients ensuring efficient execution of transactions. CSO (Client Strategy Office): I was analaysing data on how each banker performs and how the data is used to help upskill bankers to enhance their performance, show them how to implement campaigns to encourage clients to utilise more services offered by the bank and help them create strategies to help them gain new clients. Business Analysts: I saw how the business analysts collaborated with developers to provide business insights for new applications, and tested the applications to ensure they functioned seamlessly with existing systems. A big thank you to everyone at SG Kleinwort Hambros and especially to Shabana Pathmanadan and Serena McCarthy for organising everything so well I couldn’t be more greatful. I’m excited to take the skills and experiences I've gained into the next chapter of my career.

She got rejected 35 times from CIBC before finally getting a job offer. A few weeks ago, I had a coffee chat with an amazing student who shared this incredible story. After 35 rejections, she finally secured a position at CIBC. Intrigued, I asked her, "Why did you stick it out for so long?" She smiled and said, "I believe rejection is just a way to guide you in a better direction." We often see rejection as the end of the road, but what if it's just a signpost pointing us toward something better? Each "no" is a chance to reflect, learn, and refine your approach. It's not about how many times you fall; it's about how many times you get back up, stronger and more focused. To all the students and new grads out there searching for opportunities, your breakthrough might just be around the corner. Don’t let rejection define your journey; let it refine your path. Happy Labour Day! 👉Click my hashtag #Judiabook for more of my posts. _____________________________________________________________________________ Hey 👋 I am Judia and my vision is to empower student newcomers and help them discover their potential. ✅ Follow me Judia Neida Joseph for more #Motivation #JobSearch #Persistence #StudentSuccess

My School of Banking Excellence experience will always be a story to tell.. Throughout my academic journey, I encountered a challenging and demanding period that tested my resilience and determination. The coursework was rigorous, with complex subjects and a heavy workload that often felt overwhelming. These made me to start believing all I have heard initially on how hard and difficult SBE can be. Additionally, there were personal challenges and external pressures that added to the difficulty of the situation. Despite these obstacles, I refused to give up. I embraced the challenges head-on, seeking help when needed, and dedicating countless hours to studying and mastering the material. I developed effective study strategies, sought guidance from my family (ELTP 30 classmates) and maintained a strong sense of discipline and focus. There were moments of frustration and doubt, but I remained persistent and committed to my goals. I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, took on extra responsibilities, and participated actively in extracurricular activities that enriched my learning experience. I can boldly say the Personal Development courses improved my critical thinking ability and leadership skills. Slowly but surely, my hard work and determination started to pay off. I began to see improvements in my grades, gained a deeper understanding of the subjects, and developed valuable skills such as time management and problem-solving. As the challenges persisted, I continued to persevere, never losing sight of my aspirations. Eventually, my efforts culminated in remarkable achievements. I emerged as the best student in my class, earning recognition for my academic excellence, leadership qualities, and positive impact on others. Looking back, this challenging experience taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the power of hard work. It reinforced my belief that with dedication, determination, and a positive mindset, any obstacle can be overcome, and success can be achieved. Overall, this challenging school experience, although difficult at times, shaped me into a stronger, more capable individual, ready to face future challenges with confidence and optimism. Which I intend to employ in contributing to the success of Access Bank by taking on more responsibility and with my passion and purpose drive towards making Access Bank the most respected African Bank. Finally, I finished as the overall best graduating student @ the 128th graduation ceremony of the School of Banking Excellence with distinction.. My Advice to the incoming warriors, is to set your mind, and let your purpose and passion drive you. Always remember there is light at the end of the tunnel, you will be stretched beyond your initial limit trust me you won’t break but you won’t remain the same as you were (UNBENT, UNBOUND, UNBROKEN). You can also do it.

The Sky is the Limit: Limitless Growth at DCB Bank Forget the one-way climb! The traditional career ladder is a thing of the past. Climb the path for success and explore your career in multiple directions! All of us have experienced that the modern career path has become less linear and more multidimensional. Therefore, we not only focus on learning and growth vertically, but also laterally. This innovative approach we call 'The Sky is the Limit' is a key part of our exciting promise that when you join us, you will be able to soar. We offer opportunities to grow upwards and laterally through our innovative "Own Your Future" program. This program, similar to an internal job posting (IJP) opportunity, which empowers you to diversify your knowledge and skillset by exploring opportunities across different functions within the bank. How is DCB Bank's "Own Your Future" special? Freedom of Choice: You are the owner of your career path! After two years in your current role, you can move laterally into any role or department in the Bank that aligns with your career aspirations. Explore any role that excites you. Structured and Flexible/Transparent Selection Process: We have a clear process to make sure that you are a good fit for the new role. Therefore, all applications undergo a thorough interview and selection process, ensuring the right fit for both the candidate and the new role. Proven Success: Over the years, the Bank has recorded countless examples of creating brighter futures for employees who have grown horizontally in the bank and excelled at it too! When we talk about career growth, we instantly look forward to a vertical expansion; which is Promotion. At DCB Bank, the promotion process is transparent too. Here's what makes our promotion process unique: Clear Promotion Grid: We have a well-established promotion grid outlining the criteria and expectations for advancement within each role. Merit-based System: Promotions are assigned based on a combination of performance, potential, and adherence to the established criteria. Track Your Progress: Employees can keep watch on the promotion grid and eligibility criteria to track their progress and identify areas for development that can strengthen their promotion eligibility. Join Us and Take Charge of Your Future! At DCB Bank, we believe in empowering you to be your career architect. Through "Own Your Future" and our transparent promotion process, we provide the tools, guidance, and opportunities you need to reach your full potential. Are you ready to pave the path for your limitless growth? Explore opportunities at DCB Bank to ‘Own Your Future!’