Andrew Chan
Andrew ChanAnalyst - Financial Institutions Debt Capital Management (FI DCM)
Mechanical Engineering (BSc) - Imperial College, London
Did you have any preconceptions about RBS before joining them?
I might have had a few preconceptions but these were set straight once I actually started working here. When I joined in 2008, the bank was receiving a lot of negative press at the time. But until you actually work here, you will never get the full picture of RBS. If I were an undergraduate today, I’d think seriously about doing our one-week Easter internship programme. This will give you a real flavour of what life is like here.
What attracted you to working for RBS?
Two things, the fact that the people I met here were very friendly, and the fact that RBS has a strong franchise across the globe.
Is there anything that surprised you after joining?
The amount of trust and responsibility I was given in the early stages did surprise me. In my second week of joining the team, I was tasked with writing a weekly update report for clients. I never thought I would be getting that kind of exposure so early on.
What made you decide to go into your particular business area?
The FI DCM team here has a great reputation in Europe. They’re involved in all sorts of deals.
I wanted as much exposure as possible and they seemed to be the perfect match. As well as issuing bonds, they buy them back from the marketplace using innovative strategies. They’re also involved in a wide range of different asset classes. The sheer breadth of their activities really appealed to me.
What training and development opportunities have you received?
My first two months were spent in the classroom studying for the FSA exams. Since then, I’ve had formal presentations throughout the year that are specific to DCM. I’ve also been able to rotate around the division, which has been invaluable for my personal development. I’ve had the chance to work on bond issuance and buybacks, and advise clients on their funding.
How would you describe the culture/working environment?
The atmosphere here is friendly and enjoyable. I’ve been lucky enough to sit next to senior members of the team who’ve all been willing to teach me things. Their wisdom and experience has been priceless.
What makes RBS unique?
For me, it’s the friendly culture across the firm.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at RBS?
The fact that you get given real responsibility from day one. Likewise, everyone is approachable and willing to help you, from managing directors through to recent graduates. The culture at RBS is definitely one of the best in the industry. You get recognised for the effort and work you put in.
Is there anything that you’ve found particularly challenging or difficult in your role?
As you learn more about the business, you will get more and more responsibilities. Keeping a healthy work-life balance becomes a challenge. There may be times when you’re required to stay a little bit later than expected.
How do you see your future with RBS? What are you looking forward to?
Our DCM franchise is one of the best in the industry. I’m looking forward to going on road shows with clients and delivering more landmark transactions for RBS.
Is there any advice you would give to future grads thinking of joining RBS?
Always try your best, and ask when you don’t understand something.
What tips would you have for people joining now?
Work as hard as you can, and learn as much as you can. It is a very steep learning curve and you have to be on top of your game all the time.
What happened on your best ever day at RBS?
I once got amazing feedback from a client, which was hugely rewarding. It’s also good for business too, since pleasing the client means you win new mandates.
What is the most difficult part of a project?
It may sound odd, but coming up with a project name is really quite difficult! It can take two or three days before someone actually comes up with an interesting name that everyone likes.
What are you most looking forward to in your career at RBS?
Progressing. The more senior I become, the more opportunities I’ll have to travel and meet my clients. I really enjoy these aspects of the role.
How do you spend your benefit funding?
I save it with NatWest.
