Pros
1) You're working in the 'world's best bank'. 2) You can call yourself a banker. 3) Staff benefits are terrific.
Cons
Wow.. Where do I start? If you're joining as a "Wealth Planning Manager", and believe that you're getting a prestigious job (particularly after those IQ tests they put you through online), you're drinking the kool-aid. Anyone with half the average IQ can get in. If you're holding a good university degree, please don't waste your time and seek better professions elsewhere. In this role, there are only two things you can do day in and day out. Cold call people, and convince them to purchase insurance products. If you're not an insurance specialist, you get the added privilege of selling housing loans and unit trusts. Don't kid yourself with the idea that you're helping people - 99% of WPMs are doing it for the commission, so do ahead and employ dirty tricks to get that money. (Don't quote me on this.) Management is a hit or miss depending on where you are deployed to. Managers are former top sales WPMs. That's the only criteria aside from having your boss favour you. You're blessed if you have any form of capable mentorship to help you excel at your role. Expect long work hours cold-calling people. Does not stimulate me. That said, depending on your colleagues around you, work environment is fantastic. Expect some sexism, homophobia and racial ignorance, but that's pretty typical. Backend operations is completely incompetent. Try to get in touch with any operation support team and face a dead end. Lack of seamless communication within their own internal structure makes processes more complicated than they should be. If you are keen on joining, think hard and long about the career path you wish to attain. Ensure that you have a transferable skillset should you opt out of banking/insurance sales, or stay on and hope you make it to management. Even after all that I have said, the possible career progression is still decent.
