Those interesting in joining the management trainee programme at the Bank of East Asia (BEA) will need to show that they fully embrace recent trends within the financial industry, such as the digitalisation of branches, the move towards cyber banking and the need to fulfil a growing number of regulatory requirements.

According to Heidi Lai, who works in BEA’s human resources department, the programme itself favours a reactive approach to training. It features frequent feedback from coaches and mentors over the two-year duration, encompassing on-the-job training and soft-skills development such as relationship building. It is also focused on attracting talent from Generation Z, who were born from the mid-1990s to early 2000s.

“They’re a more socially conscious generation that wants to make a difference. They tend to be interested in careers that will benefit society, so helping them see how a banking career can create value and impact is an important strategy to engage them,” Lai says.

The cornerstone of BEA’s corporate culture is teamwork and growing together, Lai explains, adding that flexibility, adaptability and an open mind are necessary for future management trainees as the banking sector evolves.

Graduates will develop essential banking and financial knowledge and develop skills in management and business communication throughout the programme.

“In the first 12 months, trainees will be rotated to around 10 functional units, including essential areas such as risk management,” Lai says. “They will also go through rotational stints according to corporate needs and individual aspirations, across areas such as personal and corporate banking, China business, and back-office operations. In the second year, each trainee will be assigned to one department for a 12-month attachment.”

Throughout the two years, the attachments are interspersed with specific training courses covering everything from credit analysis to writing skills. Trainees will also attend an outbound experiential training session.

Lai says BEA is looking for graduates who are self-motivated, mature and possess a strong drive for excellence. Being passionately committed to developing a long-term career in the banking industry is also critical, she adds.

From risk management to corporate banking, a diverse range of career paths await once the two-year programme has been completed, with assignments to China or overseas both possible.