Rising Star: Joanne Guerin, Wholesale Funding & Securitisations, Bank of Ireland Global Markets

Degree subject Bachelor of Commerce Degree (UCD)
Job title Funding and securitisations
Employer Bank of Ireland Global Markets

I joined the BOI Graduate Programme in September 2008 having completed a BComm Degree (specialising in Banking & Finance) earlier that year. The Programme provided great opportunities to learn, gain exposure to many business areas and develop a network of relationships around the Bank. My first rotation was in BOI Security Services after which I joined the Group Strategy team in 2009. Given the market backdrop for Irish banks at the time, being part of the team was a huge learning curve for me. Upon completion of the Programme, I was keen to seek opportunities in Global Markets (GM) having had some exposure to the area while in Group Strategy. I have been based in GM now for 3 years working initially on the Debt Investor Relations team, progressing to the Wholesale Funding & Securitisations desk where I am today.

Key milestones

As a result of being selected to join Group Strategy, I gained invaluable experience as a graduate, developing a deep understanding of the Irish banking system and of BOI Group as a whole. The experience gained and relationships built enabled me to further develop my career, with the Bank supporting a move to its front office Markets Group function. Whilst here, I managed the Group’s Debt Investor Relations requirements for a period and this opened the door to my current role in GM where I have enhanced my skill set with the technical aspects of financial markets. In conjunction with on-the-job experience, I have been supported by the Bank’s award winning Learning zone – a source for all formal learning needs within the Group, with Instructor-Led and Web-Based training programmes to cover all skills and competencies required to support career development.

Professional achievements

Some of my key achievements to date include working with group executives and senior management throughout negotiation and approval of the Group’s EU Restructuring Plan. During my time with BOI I have also been approved to speak to the investment community on behalf of the Group.
I was also involved in managing the Group’s debt investor and funding communication requirements at a challenging time and was part of the team in GM that executed BOI’s return to public wholesale funding markets via bond issuance in 2012. I was also promoted to management level after just two years working in GM. I would like to continue making a positive contribution to the Bank, developing a long, challenging and rewarding career with the Group, across a variety of functions.

Skills development and advice

I joined the Group ambitious and really eager to learn. I am a flexible team player (thanks to many years playing basketball!) with good organisational skills and an attention to detail. I have enhanced these skills as well as developing effective communication and relationship management skills and an ability to use my initiative to achieve results. In addition, my time in GM has enabled me to further develop knowledge and expertise in the technical aspects of my role. Joining a graduate programme can open doors to develop and fast track your career. I was given a piece of advice upon starting work and that was to ‘own your own career’. Graduates should use a programme to absorb information, learn and develop new skills, seek out opportunities and maximise any opportunities given.

Joanne Guerin was interviewed for gradireland’s Ireland’s 100 Leading Graduate Employers 2014/15