Bank of America
6 opportunities
Australia
Alexander Singhi
Analyst, Global Corporate Banking
Tell us more about yourself
I am currently a first-year analyst in the Global Corporate Banking division at Bank of America in Sydney, Australia. I completed the Summer Analyst program over the 2021/2022 summer and then returned as part of the Graduate class of 2023. I completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
What’s been one highlight to date?
A definite highlight of my experience at Bank of America has been the Graduate program. BofA offers a highly structured graduate program which is focused on your personal and professional development, interpersonal skills and technical capabilities. This program culminates in the Graduate Training event, which in 2023 was in New York City. This event was an awesome experience, where I got to learn a lot about all aspects of BofA and also meet my classmates from all over the world, many of whom I still stay in touch with today.
How do you describe the culture at the bank?
BofA has a highly collegiate culture focused on operational excellence, client service and execution. BofA makes a real effort to support a positive culture through the organization of several social events, as well as encouraging connections between different lines of business and between junior senior levels of staff. BofA’s culture is especially strong amongst the Analysts and Associates, who are encouraged to collaborate and leverage each other to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.
How does the bank support your development?
BofA undertakes a range of initiatives to support the development of junior bankers, including formal training, such as the Graduate Program, as well as informal training. The bank also supports personal development and provides a range of services to help with things such as mental and physical fitness, community engagement and volunteering and family matters and emergency support. Whatever may be happening in your personal or professional life, BofA has a support system or assistance that can help manage and guide you through that, and I think that is a clear differentiator between BofA and other financial services companies.
What advice would you give to students?
Bank of America looks for highly curious, intelligent and professional young people to join the internship & graduate program. If you are successful in receiving an offer to join the bank, curiosity and a genuine interest in learning about what we do will serve you well. The learning curve is very steep but be proactive, ask questions, network, and try to add value in any way you can.
Alexandra Scarlett
Analyst, Global Markets
Tell us more about yourself
I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and moved to Sydney for University in 2019 - where I studied a Double Degree in Economics and Neuroscience (Advanced Coursework) from The University of Sydney (USyd). Outside of my studies, I was involved in various social sport teams, student-led societies, and participated in USyd’s Competitive Intercollegiate Tennis Tournaments.
What persuaded you to work for Bank of America?
Bank of America’s reputation as a global leader within the financial and banking sectors is what initially drew me to apply for a position within BofA’s Summer Internship Program. The opportunity to work within a fast-paced, high performance industry is very appealing to me and only further fueled my desire to work within Global Markets. Throughout my time as an Intern, I was impressed by the responsibility I was afforded, the firm’s genuine interest in my career and development, and the team of people around me - who were not only approachable and considerate, but also highly motivated, knowledgeable and driven.
How do you describe the culture at the bank?
The culture at Bank of America is characterized by its drive, fast pace, and focus on results. Colleagues are highly motivated to continually drive responsible growth, and possess a strong sense of teamwork, always eager to lend a hand and continually strive to expand their knowledge. The bank’s commitment to its clients fosters a culture of integrity, accountability and working as a collective.
How does the bank support your development?
The bank supports my development through technical training sessions, ongoing feedback loops, and virtual training tools. Senior colleagues foster an environment conducive to curiosity and questioning, and make themselves available to assist others. Junior members of the bank, such as myself, undergo additional intensive training upon joining and can schedule extra training sessions if needed, ensuring continuous learning and growth.
What advice would you give to students?
I would advise students to apply for any type of Internship or Graduate role, I cannot emphasize enough the invaluable learning opportunities they provide. In a short span, interns gain substantial insights into potential career roles and although the learning curve is steep, I would encourage those to remain proactive, ask questions, take initiative, and maintain a curious and eager-to-learn attitude. Reflecting on my own Internship experience, I’m astounded by the wealth of knowledge I acquired in such a brief period.