DBS Graduate Associate Program

Originally Posted by Passerby - Monday

The only thing variable is year-end bonus.

The intake is likely to decrease with the headcount freeze due to the unfavourable economic situation. As prestigious as the programme may sound, the job may be routine in nature depending on your posting.

I see people leaving within the first year because they do not see value in the daily day-to-day operations of the bank and project opportunities are limited.

That said, there are also people who excel in the programme - I see people reaching senior associate in 3 years because they are passionate in what they are doing.

whats ur impression of retail banking and sme banking?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

whats ur impression of retail banking and sme banking?

3.8k base. Bonus depends on performance. Increment depends on luck.

For ops, prepare for mostly processing work. There is very very little non processing role available. Most people do processing for 2 years in a role. Lucky ones do 1 year.

Techs are mostly BA roles, supporting PM. prepare to set meeting, book room and send email to support your projects.

SME and retail are sales

To those who have signed the contract offer - any idea when will we get the signing bonus?

[temp111]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To those who have signed the contract offer - any idea when will we get the signing bonus?

Havent even start working for one day and alrd talk abt bonus.

Better wake up your f***ing idea.

Originally Posted by temp111

Havent even start working for one day and alrd talk abt bonus.

Better wake up your f***ing idea.

DBS graduate associates are earning 3.8k base...more than you

Originally Posted by temp111

Havent even start working for one day and alrd talk abt bonus.

Better wake up your f***ing idea.

It's called signing bonus for a reason

Go back to HWZ and EDMW where you belong

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To those who have signed the contract offer - any idea when will we get the signing bonus?

there's a signing bonus now? thats something new

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.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

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.

Regarding your con about recognition... what if the GA has really good results in his/her work? surely it will be noticed by people... have u seen/heard anyone getting headhuntered by other companies?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

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.

The poster seems like a nice chap so I feel kinda bad saying what I'm going to say. But don't care, I still have to say my piece because there are quite a few fallacies in the quoted post.

1. No, there isn't confirmed promotion every year, and you are not guaranteed to rise to Senior Assoc by the end of your third year. You have to perform well to be promoted, that's that. The only round of promotion that is guaranteed for the GAs (and MAs) is from Analyst to Assoc at the end of second year.

2. If you are able to see the fact that GAP is much easier to get in than MAP or other foreign banks, then I think there isn't much to complain about the 3.8k starting pay. Because for a job that "is easier to enter", 3.8k is a pretty darn decent starting pay.

3. Once again, if you are able to see the fact that GAP is considerably easy to get, then there shouldn't be any qualms with being treated as "second class MAs" (MAP is indeed much more difficult to get in) or the fact that GAs are "not recognized outside".

Lastly, just want to state that DBS GAP is quite a good avenue for those who are interested to get a relatively good starting position in the banking industry. Furthermore, DBS is a pretty decent bank to start a career at, I don't think anyone can reasonably deny that.