Steven Wicks, Analyst, ING Wholesale Banking

How have you been getting on at ING since you’ve started?

I joined ING last year and since then I honestly believe I have found
the best balance amongst my fellow graduates in terms of remuneration,
travel, opportunities and the overall experience of starting a financial
career. ING is a large company with a strong global presence, but its
selective hiring and focused team structure make the Wholesale Banking
division an inspiring place to work.

How did you choose to work for ING?

While applying for a job I found it hard to differentiate between the
available options- each one claiming to be as unique as the last. I knew
I wanted a career in finance dealing with both numbers and people,
because it fitted well with my skill set and ambitions; however beyond
that broad-brush approach I had little clue as to the specifics. I still
actually believe no matter how much research you do, you will not know
what company or division you really want to work in until you get
started.

What happens after you start work at ING?

I applied to ING and was accepted onto the Structured Finance Graduate
Program, where you complete three 4-6 month 'rotations' around various
divisions within the bank. At least one of these rotations will be
abroad, with a choice of places including Amsterdam, New York, Moscow,
Singapore and Hong Kong. I have experienced three distinct business
lines across two countries, broadening my knowledge and helping me to
clarify where I wanted to focus my future career path. On top of this,
you receive market-rate salary, extensive training, and the opportunity
to study for the internationally recognised CFA qualification.

What’s the main drawback of the job, in your opinion?

The common criticism of a career in finance is the working hours,
especially as a junior employee. Standard tasks of an Analyst such as
preparing pitchbooks, market research and financial modelling are
fundamentally time-consuming, and this is true industry-wide. Therefore
hours can be lengthy when deal flow is high, but the exposure you gain
in the process helps you progress and the rewards are undeniable.
However, one year into my career with ING I have not had to pull a
single all-nighter - touch wood - despite the horror stories of
three-in-a-row that are rife around the City.

So… pretty good then?

In conclusion if you join ING you will get investment banking experience
and salary, the chance to work abroad and the chance gain exposure to
international deals and clients across different sectors. You also have
the opportunity to gain a respected qualification - and this is just in
your first year! It is by no means easy, but I would recommend it to
anyone with the talent and the ambition.