RBS Brochure - Career Planning and Development Centre

Madhuri Kiran Desai
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration,
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Business Area: GBM Markets – Sales
Lucia Won
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree
Major: Geography Minor: Economics, and
Environmental Management, McGill University
Business Area: GBM Operations
Raghul Suthagar
Degree: B.Eng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University
Business Area: GBM Technology
What attracted you to work for RBS?
Firstly, the unique programme provided by RBS, as it has
given me the opportunity to experience various trading
desks in Credit, FX and Rates. Also, my interviewers were
confident about the firm’s future. RBS seemed like the
perfect start to a career in an industry that was changing
quite drastically.
Describe what you do?
A lot of my job has to do with constantly watching for market
updates, and ensuring that relevant trade views and ideas
are brought to clients’ attention in an appropriate and timely
manner. I manage some of my own accounts now and
customise coverage in a manner that would best suit these
clients which is a very challenging yet fulfilling role.
How would you describe the culture and working
environment?
Extremely fast-paced would be the best way to put this
(partly owing to the nature of the FX markets)! Thankfully
I have some great team mates who always make sure I’m
constantly learning from everything that’s going on.
What level of client contact do you have in your role?
I provide coverage and speak to a number of clients on a
daily basis.
What attracted you to work for RBS?
I did not major in finance, but RBS was quick to recognise
my other skill sets and offered me a summer internship.
During my internship at RBS in Seoul, I really enjoyed the
working culture of RBS and also realised that the senior
staff are very patient and supportive.
How would you describe the culture and working
environment at RBS?
I think RBS has a very friendly, supportive and dynamic
working culture.
Tell us what you do
I started my Operations graduate programme rotations in
FX Middle Office, and since then have had an additional
four rotations, one in Chennai. This has enabled me to gain
a good overall view of different teams and their functions
in APAC Operations, gain managerial experience, and take
part in making strategic decisions for APAC Operations.
How has RBS contributed to your development as a
young person in Operations?
Senior management has been very supportive of the
growth of junior members, and this encourages initiatives
like the Young Bankers Association to provide grounds
for networking, which I believe is very important for our
professional development.
What attracted you to work at RBS?
The fact that RBS is one of the world’s major financial
institutions coupled with a very well structured graduate
program which provides an opportunity to explore different
areas in Technology. These were the major reasons for me
to kick start my career at RBS in GBM Technology.
How would you describe the RBS culture and working
environment?
RBS has a very open, lively and flat work culture where
people, including senior members of the Bank, are very
approachable. Given the fact that most of the projects
require the help, support and involvement of different areas
of the business to be successful, this is one of the best
aspects of the working environment here.
Furthermore, being a part of the graduate programme gives
one a great deal of exposure to the various teams, people
and projects, which ensures that there’s always something
to learn at every turn.
Describe what you do?
As a part of the Graduate Programme we get to do two
different rotations, which are intended to be in different
areas of GBM. My first rotation involved supporting the
Credit Trading desk as part of the Centralized Pricing (CP)
APAC Team. A normal day in the CP team would consist
of handling the daily requests and tasks of the desk,
communicating with other teams on adjoining systems
and resolving any issues. All in all, there is no dull day
in the world of CP. As part of the second rotation, I’m
working in the Prime Brokerage Technology team as a
Technical Analyst. Being part of an investment project, the
job involves doing analysis of the different aspects of the
project, sitting down with the users of the system to anaylze
the defects and assisting them migrate to the old system. In
summary, at RBS a graduate is given responsibilities right
from day one and is given an opportunity to deliver and
prove their potential. There is a real importance placed on
their growth and development.
“Being a part of the Graduate
Programme gives one a great deal of
exposure to the various teams, people
and projects, which ensures that there’s
always something to learn at every turn.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’ve been involved in the Young Bankers Association, APAC,
as a Singapore representative. .We aim to hold various
events for new joiners and graduates so that they get a
platform to interact with new people, senior members of the
Bank and take part in fun events. Apart from this, I like to
play football over the weekend and catch up with the latest
movies.
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