2024 CTBC IRM Program

Keep thinking and try your best.

Due to my academic background, I had zero financial knowledge. I still remember the first time I wrote a credit report during my job rotation in the Credit Analysis Department. I had no idea what I was writing and even mentioned the wrong unit in the report. The amount of information to process daily was immense. However, I was fortunate to have a supervisor willing to teach. I appreciate CTBC for providing such a good working and learning environment. Credit Analysis unit is excellent for establishing a professional foundation and cultivating resilience. During my time as an ARM, I experienced being a sales representative directly interacting with customers and the vibrant atmosphere of the business unit.

I also noticed that each RM has different traits and qualities, and being extroverted doesn't necessarily mean having the most advantages. Instead, the key is possessing a combination of various professional skills! The company allows us to rotate through different units, acquiring diverse skills and knowledge. Through this process, I have gained a better understanding of myself, discovered my strengths and weaknesses, and observed others and my ways of thinking.

Before the overseas assignment, I looked forward to my future life abroad every day. However, with only a few months and weeks left in Taiwan, I realized I was fortunate during those training days, as I always had strong support. I had to learn to work independently as soon as I was on board the Tokyo branch. My biggest realization is twofold: first, the experiences I gained during training in Taiwan are helpful, and I'm grateful for the comprehensive training I received during the rotation at the regional center; second, the foreign language is significant. For example, Chinese usage accounted for 30% at work, English for 30%, and Japanese for 40%, and even business meetings were conducted entirely in Japanese. It made me realize that being fluent in Japanese is not an advantage but a must. Although it's only been a month since my assignment, there are new things to learn and absorb every day. People ask if I feel lonely being the only IRM assigned to Japan. Honestly, I don't. My colleagues here take good care of me, and I have my responsibility. Because I am the only IRM in Japan, I will give it my all!

One of the most important things I learned during the training is constantly pushing myself to take my skills up a notch.

CTBC's IRM program aims to cultivate trainees’ business skills, allowing us to rotate between different units. Therefore, we can observe various business models of different companies, from Taiwan's micro-enterprises to listed domestic and international companies, and learn how to conduct business with relevant organizations. However, the most significant thing I learned during the journey was constantly pushing myself to take my skills up a notch.

I am Vietnamese. During the training, a prominent Vietnamese company came to Taiwan for a visit. Therefore, I was honored to be part of the team hosting these guests and was responsible for liaison with Vietnamese representatives. This task allowed me to employ my language skills and have the opportunity to participate in important meetings between our bank's senior managers and representatives of foreign enterprises. It not only broadened my horizons but was also a great experience.

The IRM program offers solid and comprehensive training. The initial training allowed newcomers to quickly get the hang of professional knowledge at work. I, who did not graduate from related majors, significantly benefited. In addition, as IRM will be dispatched overseas for global rotation, the company also organizes various foreign language programs for us to study and cultivate the second foreign language skills, preparing us for the expatriate journey.

“We are family” isn’t just a slogan.

To be an outstanding IRM, proficiency in foreign languages is an indispensable secret weapon apart from sales skills, familiarity with corporate banking knowledge, and communication skills for credit checking. I think the best part of the IRM program is that its content is tailored by the HR and planning teams according to our future career plans. CTBC also provides weekly second language courses and equips us with the necessary skills during the rotation in the training period to perform tasks of various units. We also need to adapt to new environments quickly and cultivate new skills. Inevitably, there were setbacks during the process. However, with the encouragement from peers, guidance from seniors, and leadership from mangers, I truly felt the spirit of "We are family." And at the same time, the experience has laid a solid foundation for my work as an ARM before the overseas assignment.

As an IRM, we have more opportunities to showcase ourselves in front of senior managers, which also means higher expectations from them. During the job rotation, we could receive guidance from senior managers and learn first-hand the depth and width of their thinking on various matters. One of the program's highlights is that each IRM is paired with an overseas professional coach. My mentor is the current President at LH Bank in Thailand. From his experience sharing, I understood why he chose to be an RM and to work overseas, helping me further plan and envision my career path.

After a year and a half of training in Taiwan, it was not until my plane landed at the Hong Kong International Airport that I realized my overseas life was beginning. I had to adapt to new work processes, the workplace, and everything. Luckily, I have other IRM peers to support each other, and the managers and colleagues at the Hong Kong branch have also provided us with the greatest support. These "family" have made our overseas journey smoother. I look forward to the challenges and growth in the coming year and a half!

Nothing can stop your progress if you don't limit yourself.

Hello everyone, Salam kenal semua. I grew up in Indonesia and chose to return to Taiwan for my university studies. I joined CTBC after graduating. Being CTBC's IRM is my first job, and it has shattered the misconception of "colleagues at work, strangers after work." I have made many like-minded friends here, making communication at work more efficient. CTBC also provides a wide range of learning resources, helping us build a solid foundation for corporate banking. Those skills learned through rotations in various units are also interrelated and complementary. As an IRM, one of the most significant advantages at work is the opportunity to broaden my international perspective. Besides professional coaches with global experience, the company also offers second language courses. Since my native language is Indonesian, I learned Vietnamese to be flexible for different challenges.

Looking back on the past six months since I joined the company, my most memorable experience was during the job rotation in the business unit when a satisfied client introduced me to his friends because of my excellent service. The experience reinforced my belief that we can gain clients' trust if we are sincere and provide attentive service with integrity, honesty, and a customer-centric attitude. At the end of the day, clients' trust is the most significant achievement as a sales representative.

Initially, I was afraid to make cold calls, but I could talk comfortably with clients later on. I realized that "finding your own way allows you to do anything smoothly and proficiently." Even as a relatively introverted person, I have developed my business style, overturning the stereotype that the sales representative job is only for extroverts or those with strong social skills. I also learned that nothing could stop your progress if you don't limit yourself.

CTBC's solid training and managers' coaching are critical for becoming an international corporate banking talent in the future.

Looking back on the training period, the longest, most intensive, and solid training experience was the ten months as an ACM. From a person who knew nothing and was unsure where to start with the materials, I grew into someone who could efficiently and proactively complete reports ahead and even draft complex new cases and PAM-SAM structures independently. This process helped me develop risk awareness, cultivate financial sensitivity, and hone presentation skills, laying a concrete foundation for my future as an RM. During my time as an ARM, besides gaining a thorough understanding of business processes, I also learned about the division of labor of various back-office units. I knew which department to consult for specific business inquiries.

Since joining the IRM program, I knew I would be deployed overseas one and a half years later. Time flew by so quickly. Every moment at CTBC has been fulfilling, and amidst the rapid pace, I hardly noticed time passing until I bought plane tickets and prepared for departure. Regardless, I enjoyed this rapid growth process. I had to learn from scratch every time I rotated to a new unit. It was always challenging initially, but through accumulated experience and practice, I acquired various skills and connections when I left each unit, ready to continue my growth in the next place. I have been relocated to LH BANK in Thailand for a month now. Thai's relaxed and easy-going nature contrasts with the fast pace I am familiar with in Taiwan. However, this doesn't mean that work is easier here. Instead, even minor things may need more time due to cultural differences and language barriers. Nevertheless, I am happy to be in Thailand. Colleagues get along well and are willing to assist each other, while managers are visionary, deliberate, and considerate of their subordinates. Also, CTBC offers excellent expat packages, including round-trip tickets back home, medical insurance, comfortable accommodations, and language courses, allowing me to thrive fully on the international stage. If you also dream of working overseas, are open-minded and adaptive, and work well under pressure, do not hesitate to apply for the IRM program. Let CTBC lead you to launch an international career.

Brave the wind and the billows; when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Hone your skills to grow and go beyond yourself.

Most MA programs in the industry aiming to cultivate business talents merely focus on performance, while CTBC's IRM program offers a comprehensive and all-rounded learning platform. The program provides IRM job rotation across the front, middle, and back offices, allowing participants to understand how the organization operates. It also helps to cultivate the ability to identify customers and risks, foster communication, coordination, and crisis management skills, and establish a good rapport with coworkers. This program enables us to lay a solid foundation instead of being over-anxious for quick results. I liken the IRM Program to an unknown street performer who, after participating in various talent shows and accumulating experiences through rotations, will one day transform into an internationally renowned superstar!

Since joining the IRM Program, I always looked forward to overseas assignments. However, as the day was coming, I felt increasingly anxious. I worried if I could adapt to the foreign work environment and effectively establish my network abroad. Fortunately, senior colleagues and managers generously shared their overseas experiences during my rotation, reassuring me to pursue my goals without hesitation. I am particularly thankful for the company's arrangement of an intensive Thai learning program before the overseas assignment so I could use Thai to bond with colleagues from day one in the office. One month into my assignment at LH BANK in Thailand, I am grateful to be part of this rapidly growing team and believe that the collision of two cultures can spark even more possibilities!

It's not just work, it's also embracing cultural diversity.

I am an Indonesian Chinese who has lived in Taiwan for nearly six years. During this time, I gradually realized that I enjoy meeting people from different countries and learning about various cultures, which was one of the reasons why I chose the IRM Program. Last year, as an ACM, I learned essential knowledge about corporate banking from the courses, and the experience of working in the overseas credit analysis department further deepened my understanding of the daily cooperation and communication between the head office and overseas branches. I also had the opportunity to learn about some less common industries in Taiwan, such as coal mining in Indonesia and oil refineries in the Philippines. Providing clients with excellent cross-border services requires close cooperation between both parties, so I tried to learn the local regulations of overseas branches to ensure the smooth completion of credit analysis reports. My peers in the same IRM program and I often exchange information and product knowledge, which strengthens our friendships and makes us feel less lonely even when working in different overseas branches.

After completing the one-and-a-half-year training in Taiwan, everyone has been deployed to overseas branches for the next training stage. Luckily, I was assigned to the New Delhi branch with a peer from the program. For me, expat life is an wonderful opportunity to learn about another culture, expand my horizon on international banking and related matters, explore India, and taste the local food. I have been in India for a month now and feel that each country has its unique work culture. Working in India is a very different challenge, but I also believe it is a perfect chance to build my international competitiveness!

Don’t walk, just run!

Since joining CTBC, my experience has aligned with the information about the program that I heard during the interview. This program is unique because we could experience both front-office and back-office work during the training, allowing us to engage in various roles and tasks without being confined to a specific position. We learn to approach things from different perspectives and understand how to communicate effectively across departments when facing challenges.

What impressed me most was during my time in the business unit. The real challenge was not making cold calls to strangers but remembering the sense of achievement in being trusted by clients and remaining eager for the unknown amidst the daily rejection and frustration. No effort will be wasted, and your enthusiasm will eventually win clients over. Along the way, I had many intriguing encounters I had never imagined, such as meeting two clients through cold calling who happened to be acquaintances, learning about a business owner who walked the grey area when he was young, having a client who changed his names to conceal his identities, and more.

This program also offers us many opportunities to interact with senior managers, listen to their insights on ongoing important projects, and closely understand the company's direction and goals. The highlight is the quarterly get-together with professional coaches, where we learn about their thoughts and ideas on business overseas and global finance and hear them sharing how they establish relationships and expand business with people worldwide. Our manager sacrificed his Friday evening to talk with us until the restaurant closed. It's such a precious experience! During orientation, I also learned from a senior manager that global bankers often juggle multiple roles, and their lives are filled with difficulties and pressures as well. However, I still could feel their passion and attitude towards the job from his talking, and his shared stories made everyone laugh from start to finish. I think this is the most attractive aspect of the IRM program. At the end of dinner, I still remember the manager standing on stage, encouraging us by saying, "Don't walk, just run!" It may sound typical, but from the bright eyes of the manager, I have kept it in mind and expected myself always to possess such a mindset.