The Associate Programme was launched by the Bank in 2016 and offers individuals looking for a career change or those who want to further their education with two options - either as part of a full-time degree program at one of our partner universities or through distance learning.
As we are now entering into our fifth year running this unique opportunity, it’s time to take a look back at what makes this programme so special.
Chase has partnered with more than 40 universities around the world including top business schools such as Columbia Business School, Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government, INSEAD (Institut Européen des Affaires) and London Business School, to offer its associates opportunities to study alongside students from these institutions. This allows us to bring together different disciplines within finance whilst offering our partners access to the best talent available worldwide, allowing them to develop new courses that will help shape the future of banking.
Our partnership with these leading universities also gives graduates the chance to work directly with experienced professionals in areas they have chosen to pursue – whether it be marketing, sales & trading, strategy consulting, financial analysis or risk management. It can therefore prove invaluable if you wish to gain experience before applying for your first role in banking!
Whilst studying on campus, all associates receive support from a dedicated team of advisors, tutors and mentors to ensure every student receives the highest level of guidance possible. They also get the chance to participate in regular events during term times which provide great networking opportunities and keep up to date with developments in the profession.
A typical day consists of working closely with colleagues both inside and outside of JPMorgan Chase and includes everything from managing client relationships to delivering presentations and creating reports. Whilst some days may involve travelling to other offices, most associate positions require the use of technology and data analytics tools to manage projects, create proposals or analyse information. If you enjoy using your analytical skills then this could be ideal for you! Some roles even include responsibility for driving initiatives and processes forward so there really is something here for everyone.
Associates typically spend between 10 and 16 hours per week in the office but when required they can attend meetings away from home. In addition to spending each weekend attending workshops and conferences, many associates also receive additional paid time off and flexible working arrangements, depending on the needs of the business. You'll also benefit from competitive salaries, free parking and generous benefits packages, including health insurance, childcare vouchers and a pension scheme.
If you're interested in joining our Associates Programmes, you should expect to earn an average starting salary of £50k. However, this figure varies based on location and type of role you apply for – ranging from £40k to £60k. Once again, though, these figures don't account for bonuses or commission payouts and depend entirely on meritocracy, performance and leadership potential.
You'll also need to factor in how long it takes to progress through the ranks, the amount of travel involved, any associated costs like child care fees and the cost of living in whichever city you decide to live in. As mentioned previously however, certain roles give greater flexibility over where you live and where you work meaning you could potentially save money moving house.
There are no set criteria for progression through the levels of the Associate Programme although the majority of people choose to remain in the same position throughout their careers. There are also opportunities for promotion to Senior Associate, Vice President and Managing Director, but only after several years' service.
Leading Operations at Chase focuses on ensuring the smooth flow of transactions and cash between customers and clients. Working as part of a global team, you'll be responsible for overseeing a wide range of services including clearing and settlement systems, treasury management, trade accounting, asset management and foreign exchange processing.
In order to succeed at this role, you'll ideally have previous experience in similar fields or qualifications relevant to FX/CFD trading and derivatives markets. You must understand how different products work and know how to interpret market prices correctly. At least three months of experience in another industry sector would also be beneficial, particularly if you've worked in a fast paced environment.
This role involves high levels of customer contact and communication, so strong interpersonal skills and written and verbal English language proficiency are essential. A good understanding of IT technologies used for banking purposes and a desire to learn about emerging technologies are key requirements too.
It's important to note that whilst this role involves a lot of interaction with clients and requires excellent attention to detail, it doesn't mean you won't still find plenty of scope for creativity and innovation. Being able to think quickly on your feet and come up with solutions to complex problems is highly valued.
Other perks include free car parking, flexible working conditions, a comprehensive benefits package and a range of social activities.
We hope this article helps demystify the world of banking and provides you with a better idea of what happens behind closed doors! We'd love to hear from you below so feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions.
The Associate Course
We are delighted that so many talented people have already expressed interest in joining us on our new Associate Programmes. This year we will be adding more than 100 courses (covering all disciplines) to our portfolio.
Our aim is simple – to provide you with the tools and skills needed to help drive your own personal growth and development. We understand that everyone has different goals when it comes to working life, which is why each programme is tailored specifically to meet your needs and aspirations. Our programmes offer flexibility with flexible start dates and times, allowing you to study anywhere from 1 week up to 12 months.
You can choose between a 2-year Associateship or 3-years Associateship depending upon your chosen discipline, location and availability. For example, if you’re currently studying towards a BSc degree but would like to take the next step towards becoming a doctor, then you could opt for the Associateship in Clinical Medicine. If however, you’d prefer a broader perspective, you might consider taking a Masters in Business Administration followed by an Associateship in Banking & Finance. Whatever path you decide to follow, you will benefit from a range of benefits including access to a dedicated support team throughout your time with us.
For some, this may be just what they need to kickstart their careers, whilst others may wish to progress onto higher level qualifications such as MBAs, MSCS and CFA certifications. Whichever route you decide to take, there are plenty of opportunities available for both graduates and non-graduates alike.
An Associate Programmes are designed by banks and brokerage firms as part of your career development plan. They provide you with additional knowledge and experience that will help advance your career.
They also offer opportunities to work alongside other professionals from different backgrounds who have similar interests to yours. This helps accelerate your learning and gives you access to new ideas.
A program could consist of one or more courses which may include:
- A specific role within the bank (e.g., Corporate Banking)
- An industry focus area (e.g., Retail & Insurance)
- Or another functional area such as Operations Management, Risk Management, Compliance etc.
The content varies depending on what your employer has decided to teach you during your program. It might cover topics like:
- Investment banking fundamentals
- Strategic finance
- Operational management skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Cybersecurity
Many employers consider it important to invest time and money into developing their associates' careers so they should always aim to take advantage of these programs when possible. However, there's no right or wrong way to approach this. If you want to learn about something then ask! You'll soon find out if your employer wants you to gain hands-on experience through a program.
You don't need any special qualifications or previous experience to join an associate program but most companies prefer candidates who already know how to use Excel or PowerPoint. In addition, some roles require certain academic achievements (or lack thereof).
If you're not sure whether a program would benefit you then you can speak to someone in Human Resources or reach out via LinkedIn. There are many people in the financial sector looking to hire great talent.
Before joining any program, you must first decide if you think it would benefit your future. For example, do you feel comfortable working closely with clients? Are you interested in gaining exposure to new industries beyond just banking?
It's worth noting that even though associate programs are meant to enhance your existing skill set, there isn't necessarily a direct link between an Associates degree and becoming a Senior Manager. But having said that, some companies see a correlation between those two things and others value both equally.
In terms of compensation, the average starting salary for associate jobs depends on where you apply. According to GlassDoor, the median salary was $84,000 per year back in 2018.
However, if you choose to go through a program instead of applying directly for a position, you won't get paid until after completion. That means that you may end up earning less than if you had applied straight away. Many employers will only compensate associates once they've completed a program. Some will even waive tuition fees entirely.
JPMorgan Chase offers its employees three associate programmes: Junior, Middle and Senior. Each one lasts around six months and consists of multiple classes taught by experts in various fields.
Junior Associates start off making roughly $50K annually. After completing a few years of experience, they move onto middle level positions paying around $75K and eventually to senior status at $95K.
Senior Associates earn over $100K annually and often receive bonuses based on performance.
At J.P. Morgan, you'll find several associate programmes including:
Royal Ballet School Senior Associates - A 10-month programme designed to develop leadership skills and prepare students for professional dance careers. Students begin their journey upon completing grade 8 and continue throughout high school. Once accepted to the Royal Ballet School, graduates spend 4 weeks studying ballet technique and 7 weeks performing classical dances in the company before moving on to advanced studies.
Royal Ballet School Junior Associates - A 6-week intensive course aimed at teaching basic ballerina techniques and choreography. Upon graduating, participants become members of the Royal Ballet Company and perform in productions all over the world.
Chase Bank Young Leaders - A 12 week programme focused on business ethics, personal branding, communication, presentation, negotiation and technology. Participants complete modules online and attend workshops led by subject matter experts.
On Purpose Team - An 18 month program created to equip individuals with the ability to lead teams effectively. During this period, students meet twice weekly to discuss real life scenarios and share experiences.
Pathfinders - A 3-year programme designed to give students the opportunity to explore different areas of interest outside of traditional banking. As well as attending seminars and lectures, Pathfinders participate in projects and internships related to their chosen field.
Associates at J.P. Morgan are required to undergo regular audits. These ensure that you're being provided with the best tools and resources available to further your education. Every 2 years, associates are expected to submit a report detailing their progress.
As mentioned above, there are three levels of associate banking offered by J.P. Morgan. Starting salaries range from $55k-$85k.
To become a member of the On Purpose Team, applicants must prove themselves to be self-motivated leaders. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal relationships, effective decision-making abilities and the capacity to influence change.
There are four main components to the programme:
1. Leadership Development
2. Personal Branding
3. Communication Skills
4. Technology Knowledge
Upon graduation, each participant receives a certification stating that he/she holds "a foundational understanding of key concepts relating to" his/her discipline(s).
Chase Bank offers a variety of associate programmes but none come close to rivaling JP Morgan's offerings. In fact, most associate positions aren't advertised externally. Instead, they're reserved exclusively for internal hires.
Chase pays its employees competitively compared to other large US investment banks. Their base salary ranges from $60k-$150k depending on location.
In order to qualify for higher compensation packages, associates must hold a college degree plus two years of relevant work history. They also need to have passed a series of exams administered by Chase Bank.
Once hired, associates must pass annual evaluations conducted by mentors. At the conclusion of every evaluation cycle, managers award associates with either gold, silver or bronze ratings. Those who score highest earn bonus payments ranging from 5% to 20%.
This information provides a general overview of how associate positions operate at major investment banks. To discover more details about your prospective employer, talk with a recruiter directly.
Chase has recently launched its first Associate Programmes for both banking and investment services - what are these programmes all about, how can I apply, and what will it take me from being a trainee to becoming an associate?
We spoke with our Head of HR, Andrew Denton, who told us more about this new initiative and explained that there are two types of Associates within the company – those who work specifically in the Banking division and those who work in Investment Services.
The aim of the Associate Programme is to develop people into leaders through a structured programme which combines hands-on experience and classroom learning. It's a great way to get your foot in the door if you're looking to progress or even start out fresh!
Here we explain exactly what an Associate Programme involves and answer questions such as "what is an associate" and "how much does Chase pay as a teller", along with other important details like when applications open and closing dates.
In order to be considered for one of the Associate Programs, you'll need to have been employed by Chase for over 12 months (and worked in banking/investment services) before applying. Once accepted onto the program, you'll continue working full time in banking & investments until you've completed the entire associate programme and received your associate designation.
Once you complete the Associate Programme, you’ll receive a letter stating your progression status. Your progression status indicates whether or not you were awarded an Associate position based upon your performance during the programme or if you were simply offered one. If you did not achieve a promotion after completion of the Associate Programme, then you may choose to pursue another career opportunity within Chase.
An associate banker works closely alongside their manager to provide advice and support to customers and colleagues alike. They also help manage relationships between clients, peers and management. You should expect to spend 80% of your day interacting directly with clients and colleagues.
Associates must hold a minimum level of competence in each of the following areas:
1. Relationship Management 2. Customer Service 3. Product Knowledge 4. Financial Analysis 5. Business Development 6. Marketing 7. Communications 8. Operations 9. Information Technology 10. Technical Support
There are many opportunities available for associates within the business including:
1. Client Relationships 2. Sales Performance Review Processes 3. Compliance Training 4. Risk Management Procedures 5. Internal Controls Implementation 6. Regulatory Requirements 7. Credit Card Processing 8. Merchant Acquiring 9. Commercial Lending 10. Corporate Finance 11. Asset Based Investing
While the exact compensation structure varies depending upon location and role, here is an example of an average associate salary range:
London: £38k+
Manchester: £32k+
Birmingham: £30k+
Edinburgh: £28k+
Glasgow: £26k+
Cardiff: £24k+
Bristol: £22k+
Newcastle: £21k+
Nottingham: £20k+
Leeds: £19k+
Liverpool: £18k+
Wolverhampton: £17k+
Cambridge: £16k+
Southampton: £15k+
Bournemouth: £14k+
Hull: £13k+
Exeter: £12k+
Swindon: £11k+
Portsmouth: £10k+
Cheltenham: £9k+
Stoke On Trent: £8k+
Leicester: £7k+
Derby: £6k+
Reading: £5k+
Staffordshire: £4k+
Coventry: £3k+
West Bromwich: £2k+
Belfast: £1k+
Applications for associate positions open every year but they only accept around 120 candidates per year. Therefore, if you want to try and secure yourself a place, you'll need to act fast! We recommend sending your application ASAP once you know you'd like to join Chase. Applications close on 1st April each year, so make sure you don't miss out!
You could become eligible for the Associate Programme within just three years of joining Chase. However, the majority of successful applicants are typically already experienced employees who have decided to switch careers.
To qualify for the Associate Programme, you'll need to meet certain criteria outlined above. In addition to this, you'll also need to pass an aptitude test, medical examination, background check and interview process. This means that, although associate programs are relatively short, they require extensive preparation and commitment.
If you would like to learn more about the different Associate Programmes currently available at Chase, please visit www.chasecareers.co.uk.
Have any further questions regarding the Associate Programmes? Or perhaps you'd prefer to speak to someone else? Please feel free to contact us via email [email protected]
The Associate Programmes
The programme provides you with access to a variety of exciting new opportunities within our business as well as giving you invaluable experience that will help prepare you for your future career goals.
You'll gain valuable work-based skills by undertaking placements at one or more of our partner organisations, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from industry experts on subjects such as sales, marketing and finance, among others.
With over 40 years' combined experience between us, we understand exactly what we need to teach you so that when you graduate from our training scheme, you're fully prepared to start working towards achieving your own financial ambitions.
By joining us now, you could be eligible to receive up to £12,000 worth of funding through our Future Leaders Scheme – which includes support from our Career Development Team along with mentoring and networking events throughout your journey. You can also register online today!
If you'd like to find out more information about our associateships, please contact our Associateships team via email at associateships@chaseuk.com
Business Banking Associate Programme
This programme offers students the chance to develop their knowledge and understanding of key areas of business banking, including relationship management, credit underwriting, risk analysis, client servicing and operations.
To become successful candidates, applicants must possess good communication skills, analytical thinking and problem solving abilities. There's no specific minimum entry requirement but individuals should hold relevant qualifications and/or previous experience in
Associate Training at RBS
The Associate Programme is available in nine different locations across the United Kingdom.
These include London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff.
It provides you with an opportunity to develop your career by working alongside our senior staff whilst gaining valuable experience of working within a professional environment. You’ll also be able to improve communication skills as well as gain knowledge on specific areas such as marketing, accounting or IT.
In addition, there are opportunities to gain work-based learning experiences through placements in local businesses including retail banks, public sector organisations, law firms, accountancy practices, property companies, technology companies, media groups and financial institutions.
You may find that some roles offer more responsibility than others so we encourage you to discuss this directly with us when applying. We aim to match each applicant to a role based on their prior qualifications, relevant industry experience and personal attributes. However, if you don't hear back from us straight away then please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Benefits of the programme
Extensive support throughout the programme
Flexibility around hours and location
Opportunity to learn new skills and enhance existing ones
Enhanced employability
Excellent team culture
Access to excellent facilities
Discounted tuition fees
Supportive mentor network
Our associates have access to many benefits which differentiate it from other programs. These include extensive support during the entire duration of the programme, discounted tuition fees and an enhanced employability package. Our mentors provide ongoing one-to-one guidance and feedback and they play an integral part in helping our Associates achieve success.
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