I chose to do my placement at SMBC Group because…
It was refreshing to see a banking role in a firm which actively uphold the values that I had grown up with. SMBC's strong Japanese heritage means that they employees have respect for one another and frequently give back to their community - values that aligned with my own. During my placement I have been given the opportunity to ensure that I am giving back to the community and evoking social change on a frequent basis., which I am truly grateful for.
My job involves…
- Setting rates for clients/other colleagues based on market movements
- Managing liquidity of different currencies
- Keeping a close eye on macroeconomic releases and news stories that would be of interest to clients
- Looking at customer data both online and in our systems for any potential FX opportunities
On a typical day…
- My daily tasks such as setting the deposit and loan rate/FX daily report/ EOD checks to ensure we are adhering to regulations and internal checks
- Aside from that, my day can vary in FMD as I am fortunate to be part of a department with many desks and I'm able to spread your time across them.
- During my placement I have been able to
- Price FX products for clients
- Produce banking arbitrage tickets
- Working with planning desk to improve the internal processes in FMD
What I enjoy most about my internship…
Definitely how easy it was to fit in with my team - the trading floor has held a certain reputation in the past and it's not unusual to have people question if I "fit in" with my team. Immediately I saw how genuine my department was and the attention they paid to explaining things to me and answering any questions I had. As time went on, my confidence grew in the team and I felt more comfortable taking on new tasks and projects so I no longer felt like an intern but rather a member of FMD. I've lucky enough to attend events, plan socials and be a part of long term projects within my team, making my placement all the more enjoyable.
Top tips for future interns considering a placement at SMBC Group…
- Expect to make mistakes - there are times where there is a lot going on so it's inevitable that you might get confused or make a mistake. I've learnt that there is no harm in getting things wrong, especially if you show that you are ready to learn from this.
- Take initiative within the team - as much as the placement will teach you new skills and ways of thinking, the team are expecting to benefit from having an intern there. So if you feel like something can be improved or want to learn more on a specific area, mention this to your manager and they will be happy to help you if needed.