Private banking

Private banking differs from retail banking in that its services are more bespoke to the individual rather than the mass market. These services include lending, deposits, investment management and fund management, pensions and tax management.

Some of the larger banks have private banking facilities: check their websites to see if they have specific graduate programmes. If you join the private banking arm of a global banking organisation, you may join a specific private banking scheme or join a more general one and then specialise at a later stage. The private banking sector is undergoing tremendous change, with old values being challenged and new orders established.

Qualifications and skills

An interest in financial markets, excellent communication skills, analytical skills, strong customer focus and language skills are all highly valued by employers.