Grace Buchanan

Grace Buchanan
Corporate Finance Analyst
Geography MA - St Edmund Hall, Oxford


What attracted you to working for RBS?

RBS is a large wholesale bank and their diverse product offering really appealed to me.
I was also attracted to their ‘make it happen’ culture, which allows you to form your own individual career path within the bank. You have the opportunity here to be noticed and valued for the work you put in. For me, that really set RBS apart from the rest.

Is there anything that surprised you after joining?

I was initially very surprised by the helpfulness of people here. Everyone, right up to MD level, is willing to answer your questions. I was also surprised by the level of responsibility given to me. From an early stage, I was coordinating with other advisors and clients, which enabled me to get involved in the deal process very quickly.

What made you decide to go into your particular business area?

I attended some Investment Banking Insight Days at university, which sparked my interest in this area. This led to me enrolling on to the ABN AMRO Internship Programme. The internship was a fantastic experience and made me realise that Corporate Finance was the right area for me..

Can you describe a project you’ve been involved in that’s been particularly high profile or challenging?

I was recently working on a project for one of our major clients. As part of the project, a few of us had to turn around a complex presentation in a very limited amount of time. It was a stressful period and we really had to burn the midnight oil to get things right. But the adrenaline rush and sense of achievement we had after completing the presentation was fantastic.

What training and development opportunities have you received?

Before starting on the desk, I attended the RBS Global Development Programme in London. This was a great opportunity to meet other graduates from around the world, pick up the basics of finance, and understand the wider RBS product offering.  Since then, I have attended courses specific to Corporate Finance – such as the Banking Track Week in Amsterdam, where we got to grips with the RBS/ABN AMRO models and advanced accounting. I am also planning to attend a week-long valuation course  this summer, which should further enhance my skill set.

How would you describe the culture/working environment?  

A job in corporate finance often entails long hours. However, the enthusiasm and support of my colleagues has made my work really enjoyable.  I currently sit in a ‘pool’ with 25 other analysts who all serve a variety of different corporate finance teams. The atmosphere in the office is very professional and focussed – but also incredibly good-natured and sociable.

What makes RBS unique?

RBS has a diverse workforce that really sets it apart from other banks.  Within the Corporate Finance Group alone, we have team members from 16 different nationalities. French is spoken as often as English, and I now have a name in Chinese!

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at RBS?

This job is great because it stretches me intellectually. Whether I’m researching a company, carrying out a valuation, or managing a project, I’m constantly learning new things. Every day brings fresh challenges. It’s also pleasing to see your projects being mentioned in the financial press too.

How do you see your future with RBS?  What are you looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to my second year rotation, as this will give me the chance to work directly with a team. I’d also really like to do an international placement in the third year. Working overseas would be a fantastic experience.

Is there any advice you would give to future grads thinking of joining RBS?

RBS is now focused on the future. There is a great sense that everyone here is playing their part in the recovery. On a practical note, I would really recommend doing an internship as it will give you a great insight into the job. It gives you ten weeks to find out whether a role is right for you – or whether another part of the bank might be more suitable.

If you’re thinking about M&A, be aware that the hours are tough. There are easier ways to make a living, so you really have to enjoy and get satisfaction from this kind of work.

What tips would you have for people joining now?

RBS is a great place to work. There are great deals taking place here, and there are lots of opportunities for those who are serious about a career in corporate finance.

What would you say to a friend considering joining RBS? How would you persuade them to join?

The great thing about RBS is that if you are eager to get involved and contribute to a project, you are given a great deal of responsibility early on.

What happened on your best ever day at RBS?

During our training, we all got the opportunity to go up to Head Office in Edinburgh to attend a graduate conference. That was a really memorable day. We had talks by motivational speakers and senior board members – and were taught how to dance the Haka by a Maori dance group. In the evening, we were treated to a black tie dinner before hitting the nightspots of Edinburgh.

Do you have any anecdotes or stories from your time so far?

I recently organised a charity quiz night. We had ten teams from right across Corporate Finance. It was entertaining to watch the inter-team rivalry. It was also great to see everyone getting involved and give so generously. We raised over a £1000 for two of our charities that night.