Alan Henderson
Alan HendersonAnalyst - Financial Institutions & Portfolio Management (FI&PM)
Accounting & Finance (BAcc) - Glasgow University
What did you know about RBS prior to working for them?
I actually had a summer job with them during my university days. It was in the current account mortgage department of their Glasgow office. This experience gave me a real feel for the culture of the organisation.
To be fair, having grown up in Scotland, I was always aware of RBS.
What attracted you to working for RBS?
Various things. Good feedback from friends who were already working for the bank, the growth RBS had made over the past ten years, the range of opportunities they had on offer––all these factors played a part. However, it was my experience during the interview process that sealed it for me. I was impressed by everyone I met, from recruiting business heads to HR staff. Of all the banks I had applied to, RBS struck me as the most friendly and welcoming.
Is there anything that surprised you after joining?
The sheer size of RBS surprised me at the start. After my initial induction week, I thought I’d join a team with other graduates on the desks. I soon discovered that I was only the graduate on the entire floor. That was when the scale of the operation really came home to me.
I was also surprised – in a good way – by just how high the standards are here. In my first two weeks of classroom training, we were given nightly homework and regular tests on accountancy subjects. Every one of those tests carried an 80% pass mark. For me, any notion that this would be a lightweight course was dispelled there and then. The expectations here are high; they expect you to deliver.
What made you decide to go into your particular business area?
My degree was in Accounting & Finance, so a career in Portfolio Management seemed like an obvious choice. I was keen to put my accounting skills to the test by analysing company financial statements, but I also wanted to experience direct client contact and develop my interpersonal skills.
What training and development opportunities have you received?
I spent my first two months training off site. This saw me do a two-week initial induction with GBM graduates from around the world, followed by six weeks of specific Financial Institutions & Portfolio Management (FI&PM) training.
Once I joined my team, a new joiners’ education session was arranged for me. This helped me to get acquainted with my new colleagues, and provided me with essential information specific to my department.
As part of my personal development programme, my manager also arranged for me to have weekly educational sessions with a director from a relevant team. This enabled me to gain a wider understanding of the business, and helped to develop my contacts across the Group.
How would you describe the culture/working environment?
The culture here is friendly, welcoming and non-hierarchal. I have had the opportunity to work with the most senior-level members of the bank. There’s a strong team ethos that operates here at every level. I was always made to feel very welcome and socialised regularly with all my colleagues.
What makes RBS unique?
I’ve interviewed and worked at a number of competing financial institutions. RBS, in my view, is less hierarchical and more meritocratic than its peers.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at RBS?
My experience of working with CBSM at the height of the financial crisis was pretty memorable. It was a fascinating opportunity for me to witness - and be involved in - RBS’s strategic review. I got to see first hand how all those decisions would affect the business units within GBM.
Right now, I’m working in Deal Execution & Advisory and enjoying every minute of it. This is a highly responsible role that requires me to execute funding trades worth hundreds of millions of pounds on a daily basis. It’s an exciting challenge for me.
Is there anything that you’ve found particularly challenging or difficult in your role?
My role at CBSM was very challenging. It called for a high level of technical knowledge and a broad understanding of the GBM business areas. One of my tasks was to coordinate a monthly Technical Alco meeting with the heads of Risk, Finance, Regulatory Reporting & Advisory. This required me to summarise the technical papers submitted by each business area prior to the meeting. I also had to document the discussions within the meetings themselves. These, again, were highly technical and complex. The whole experience was an incredibly steep learning curve.
Is there any advice you would give to future grads thinking of joining RBS?
The bank has just undergone a massive strategic review. It is evident from this that senior management are putting a real emphasis on graduate talent; they see us as the future of the bank. While others have reduced their graduate intake dramatically or delayed their start dates, RBS is still firmly committed to its programme – investing just as much time and resources as it always has.
What tips would you have for people joining now?
Make the most of your opportunities. Being part of an organisation this big presents so many of them. You can explore different business areas, develop an extensive network of contacts, and discover what area is best suited for you. So make sure to ask a lot of questions, show enthusiasm and grasp every opportunity that comes your way.
What are you most looking forward to in your career at RBS?
Finding the role that perfectly matches my skills and personality. I’m still at a relatively early stage of my career and discovering new things all the time – about what I like and don’t like, what my strengths and weaknesses are, and so on. It’s a voyage of self-discovery. Now that I’ve moved from Treasury to Deal Execution, I now have a better idea about where I want to take my career. And that can only happen from having as many experiences as possible.
How do you spend your benefit funding?
I’m in the process of buying my first property, so most of my funds are going to that. With my sign on bonus, I treated my flatmates to a wall-mounted TV and cinema system. I also contribute to the RBS Share Save and Buy as You Earn initiatives on a monthly basis.
