Jimmy Lee

Analyst, Chief Operating Office. Global Equity Trading Technology

What inspired you to join Deutsche Bank?

I came to Deutsche Bank last year as a graduate in the technology division after studying computer science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Nowadays, IT jobs are ubiquitous in almost every sector, and it took me a while to work out what industry I wanted to get into. I wanted to be working with smart, ambitious people on cutting-edge technologies, and make a positive impact. After a summer internship in the financial services sector, I discovered that Deutsche Bank could offer me this kind of environment and truly accelerate my learning and development as a graduate.

What’s the culture like in the Technology division?

People in Technology are extremely passionate about their work. There is a natural inquisition and fascination with technology that is shared by everyone in the division. They are true experts in their subject, and are always looking for ways to improve the technology within DB. They invite me to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table as a graduate and are very generous with their time whenever I have questions. There is always someone to learn from, given the great diversity in cultural, education and professional background with Technology. I think this diversity is an integral part of Deutsche Bank's strong, distinctive culture.

What are the biggest intellectual challenges you’ve faced?

In an earlier rotation, our team was required to perform daily manual health checks on various applications before the market open. I worked on a project to automate these procedures using UI automation scripting technologies. I carried the project forward by discussing the areas of improvement with the team, assessing various technologies and their pros/cons, and finally bringing the project to life with the technical implementation. It was difficult initially to bring people to adopt the new automation, but in the end the project saved a lot of time and effort for my team. It was rewarding to own the project from start to finish, even as a junior.

How have you changed during your time here?

When I started I was cautious about approaching senior colleagues; I was worried that my lack of experience might show in the questions I was asking. Over the past year, I’ve built the confidence to carry conversations with senior stakeholders, and have tried to maximise my exposure to my managers by asking questions during regular catch-up sessions. Deutsche Bank being such an open environment, it has not been difficult to be active, to reach out and develop relationships with seniors.

What do you enjoy most about the graduate programme?

My favourite part is the global nature of the programme. During the orientation, hundreds of graduates from every corner of the world came together from all sorts of different backgrounds, and I had the pleasure of making friends and establishing networks across the globe. I built lasting friendships beyond the office, and have kept in close contact with many of my graduate peers. Even once I hit my desk and started the programme, I worked on projects on a global scale, and to this day work closely with my counterparts in many countries on a daily basis.

Why should someone work in tech in a bank and not for a tech firm?

Finance is a field that attracts top talent, and is where many highly motivated people choose to work. In order to keep up with competitors, banks are required to constantly innovate, and invest heavily in developing top-notch technology talent. At Deutsche Bank, you will be constantly exposed to experts in their domain and be challenged to work on meaningful IT projects. The kind of support you get in Deutsche Bank for personal development is not something you will find in most other companies.

Julia Lim

Julia is putting people first.

When a lot of students look at banking, they naturally associate it with technical knowledge, maths and everything quantitative. But while those aspects form an integral part of what we do, banking is ultimately a people business. Julia, a Private Wealth Management Analyst in our Singapore office, found out what that meant for her career when she joined our Graduate Programme in 2017.

Finding the right fit

After majoring in Finance and Corporate Communications at school, Julia knew she wanted to work in finance and specifically in wealth management.

“I chose this division because I wanted a role that was a bit more person-to-person, rather than person-to-business. I think wealth management really makes an impact on individuals.”

She completed an internship in Wealth Management in Singapore and was offered a place on the graduate programme where she rotated through different teams including lending, strategy and project management. In her final placement within the funds team, Julia and her manager both realised her people-focus and people skills meant she had the potential to be an exceptional products specialist.

“Studying Finance clearly helped me technically, but I found the Corporate Communications studies gave me a complementary skillset when I worked on investor relations. It’s really applicable for my team.”

A people-first culture

In her role, Julia works with relationship managers and investment advisors to find the right resources from around the bank to provide bespoke solutions for clients’ needs and strategically manage their funds. It’s a dynamic team where a lot of different clients have continually changing needs depending on what else is happening around the world.

“Our clients demand a very high level of responses and it can get hectic at times but that means I get a lot of opportunities to present to stakeholders. If I encounter difficulties there is always someone I can speak to. It’s a very inclusive and collaborative community.”

With her team being around eight people spread over Hong Kong and Singapore, Julia recognised how important the team’s culture was and the opportunities it enabled from day one.

“Everyone has their own area of expertise and people are very willing to let you learn, especially as a junior. I feel Deutsche Bank is a place where seniors are really keen to guide you. They want to see you develop and help them as you grow as an individual and a colleague.”

This combination of opportunity and support means Julia is feeling confident about her future. Her ambition to work with individuals as well as institutions has put her in a strong position to start building the relationships that can make it happen.

Bryan Tan

Bryan is capturing every opportunity

When did you last change jobs? Did you find you had to start over again when it came to building skills and growing a network? Bryan, a Sales Manager in our Corporate Cash Management team in Singapore, is proof that changing roles is an effective way to build a career where a diverse range of experience can help you progress even quicker. By prioritising our people, we’re creating a culture that gives employees control over their careers.

Building a diverse network

Bryan originally joined us as an intern in Group Risk via Singapore Management University. He wanted to build on a prior stint in Operations and gain a deeper understanding of risk. Bryan began to realise that a client-facing role in Global Transaction Banking (GTB) played to his strengths and might be more in line with his career plan.

“People were happy to share more about what they did. They were really supportive in helping me find out more.”

After joining the Corporate Bank graduate programme in 2016, he rotated through several areas of Global Transaction Banking including Relationship Management, Sales, Product Management and Client Service, before taking a permanent role in the Cash Management team. As a result of the broad exposure he gained from each rotation, Bryan continued to establish a strong network that stretched across the bank.

“The number one benefit of the graduate scheme for me is the network I built. We get the opportunity to work with people across different functions, different countries. In my current role, we rely on the network to get things done.”

Analyst to Sales Manager

Bryan’s first role in the Cash Management team was a Regional Sales Analyst. He supported eight different sales managers each with their own portfolios. Within a year, Bryan became a Sales Manager. The exposure he had as an analyst served him well, but so did all his other experience in the bank.

“Every step of my journey in the bank has shaped my understanding of the nuances across departments and locations. Through my experiences, I understand the varying demands of these environments.”

This is useful in Cash Management, a particularly fast-moving area of the bank. Bryan rarely works on singular projects but instead continually collaborates with internal teams and clients to eradicate friction in processes and create mutually beneficial efficiencies.

Outside of work, Bryan is a photography enthusiast, spending his free time finding the right light and great moments to capture. He draws the same principles for his work as he does in photography.

“I tell people the key to photography is visualising the shot before you take it. It’s the same in sales; it’s all about opportunities. We need to understand our client, what we’re good at, what we’re not and marry them together. Just like photography, you always need to be prepared to capture those opportunities.”

Keep on evolving

It’s an attitude that Bryan applies to his career. Bryan is only two years into his career, and has achieved an exceptional amount through determination and the ability to draw on his diverse range of experiences. He credits his success so far on his commitment to learning and doesn’t plan on stopping soon.

“I’ve always seen my career as quite opportunistic. I think the wonderful thing about Deutsche Bank is that there are always opportunities available and if you raise your hand, you will be considered.”

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