Signing bonus is a fallacy. At least I didn't hear anyone from my batch got it.
Most Ops GAs (me) leave Ops within the first 2 years.. moving into mid/front office.
Most IT GAs are really passionate about what they do so they stayed in IT.
SME/Retail GAs are doing generally doing sales and are constantly motivated by awards.
We are promoted every year.. Senior Associate at the end of 3rd year.
Increment at least once a year (this varies.. I get about 7% pa)
Pro:
-prestige and faster promotion
-higher starting pay (3.8k) than average fresh grads
-easier to enter than foreign banks and other MAPs
-internal mobile after 2 years
Con:
-we are second-class
MAs..
-salary is considered on the low-side
-DBS GA aren't recognized outside... maybe only by
OCBC? I been looking out for quite a while but no luck
Sometimes, I feel we are cheap and good labor, brainwashed to believe we are future leaders and hence ignore the low salary. My 5 cents.