Fernando Sucre, Lloyd's Banking Group

Fernando Sucre is a savings product manager, international retail banking, at Lloyds Banking Group. He has a BEng in integrated engineering from Cardiff University and an MSc in economics, finance and management from the University of Bristol.

How did you get from engineering to retail banking?

Following a number of engineering internships, I realised that my interest really lay in finance. My employer’s rotational retail banking graduate programme appealed as I was keen to gain experience of different functions before settling on a permanent role. I think my language skills (I speak English, Spanish and German) and the fact I’d worked abroad in the past made me stand out.

What do you do on your graduate scheme?

I’m currently based in the international retail banking division, managing all the savings products (eg instant access savings accounts, fixed-term deposits and clients’ call accounts) that we sell to non-UK customers. Day to day, I work with other teams to develop new products, determine the price (interest rate) of existing products, design marketing campaigns, improve our website, set sales targets and forecast income for the coming year. Being numerate, approachable and communicative is essential in my role, as well as possessing the common sense to identify practical solutions to business problems.

The work is intense and fast paced; I enjoy reacting quickly to ever-evolving customer needs, competitor movements and regulation. For instance, I recently led a small team in the launch of a brand new product within a tight time frame. The product proved very popular with customers and colleagues alike, despite the fact we didn’t have time to produce a nice glossy brochure!

'The work is intense and fast paced; I enjoy reacting quickly to ever-evolving customer needs, competitor movements and regulation.'

Tell us one of the things you're learning about mangement in your role

I’m learning that the best managers are those who can ‘connect the dots’ and see how the little details feed into a ‘big picture’ strategy.

What's the work/life balance like for graduate retail bankers?

I’m rarely in the office beyond 5.30 pm and, on the whole, keep a good work/life balance, finding time to socialise and play in the local football team.

Bankers have had some bad press in the last few years. What do you think about that?

There’s a misconception that all bankers are greedy, but the reality is that most people working in retail banking are driven more by job satisfaction. Positively influencing something as central to peoples’ lives as their financial affairs is a much bigger perk than any financial bonus.