Merchant Banking: Understanding your challenges
Merchant Banking is the internationally operating wholesale bank of Fortis. As a focussed and worldwide organisation, we provide tailored financial services to corporate and institutional clients. Merchant Banking offers investment and financing products as well as advisory services. We are active in several areas,
including treasury, fixed income, energy, commodities and equities (including derivatives and structured products), corporate finance, capital markets, cash management, asset financing, project finance, private equity and structured credits. Besides, we are specialised in the areas of fund administration, global
custody, securities lending and clearing services. Outside the Benelux region, we are active in several European countries and we are continuously expanding our operations in the U.S. and Asia where we capitalise on our expertise in selected client niches (commodities, shipping, intermodal, oil & gas)
and product franchises (export and project finance, structured credits, derivatives). Merchant Banking has opted for a firm focus on the customer.
As part of our pursuit of optimum and economically rewarding relationships with our customers, we provide a full range of services designed to meet our customers’ needs, based on an in-depth analysis of their expectations.
Merchant Banking is geographically diversifying its business by following its core and specialised clients as they expand.

How to launch a career in international finance
Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset, an inquisitive nature and sound commercial sense? Then the world of international banking might be just what you are looking for. In this constantly changing world, focused on international trade and investments, you will be dealing with professional and demanding corporate and institutional clients. Clients who need a bank that has the
knowledge to support their overall strategy as well as the skills to meet their complex financial needs. At Fortis we have brought together all the expertise and services these clients need into one integrated Merchant Banking organisation. It is an organisation in which relationship managers, who
know their individual clients and their business environment, work closely with an extensive network of product specialists, always seeking new and innovative solutions in the fields of finance, investments and asset protection.
Would you welcome the opportunity to work in an environment where your clients challenge you to come up with the best, tailor-made solutions? An environment where you will be working with and learning from ambitious, highly skilled colleagues?  Whether you work in the dealing room or are involved in mergers and acquisitions, the deals you strike today could make tomorrow’s headlines. Welcome to the world of Merchant Banking!

Merchant Banking Associate Programme
The Merchant Banking Associate Programme is a 15-month specialised international programme designed to give junior bankers a profound knowledge of Merchant Banking and to expand their network in this field. As a participant in the Programme you will receive extensive on-the-job training during a series of
internships spent in different cross-border business lines, and will focus on a specialised banking area as the Programme unfolds. Coaching is provided by senior professionals, and you will attend a number of training courses based on a customised training curriculum. Several Fortis and Merchant Banking wide activities are also offered in order to broaden your perspective.

The ability to choose
At the start of the Programme you will choose (together with us) one of the Merchant Banking business lines: Corporate & Institutional Banking, Specialised Finance, Global Markets, Private Equity & Structured Finance, Global Securities & Fund Solutions, Credits or Business Operations. The aim is to ensure an optimal fit between your ambitions and profile and the possibilities that Fortis Merchant Banking has to offer.

General outline
The Programme comprises five different internships spent in commercial and operational departments and covers a variety of training methods. The Programme is divided into three related modules. In order to develop international experience, Associates have the opportunity to complete an internship in one of the larger offices of Merchant Banking, either in the Benelux
or beyond (Including Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, London).

Commercial module
The commercial module consists of three training periods spent in different commercial departments within the selected business line, plus one internship in a second business line within Merchant Banking. Each department focuses on a specific market and/or product. You will play an active role in the day-today
activities of the team and will be largely trained on the job. A senior professional will supervise you as you work on various projects.

Operational & Credit module
The operational module consists of one internship plus visits to a selected number of support departments. You will become closely acquainted with the origination, execution and administration of transactions and will be exposed to client and thirdparty interfaces.

Personal Development & Training module
A mentor will be assigned to each Associate. Together with your mentor you will map out the exact content of the Programme and define relevant learning objectives on which you will be evaluated. Based on this planning, you will attend training courses designed to enhance and develop your banking skills. An extensive range of courses, self-study programmes, e-learning opportunities, lectures and workshops will be at your disposal. During the Programme the mentor will be kept informed of the Associate’s progress and will discuss the future of financial services with the Associate at a strategic level.

The Merchant Banking Associate Programme has been designed to develop top-quality international bankers. If you have what it takes, a brilliant career at Merchant Banking will be waiting for you.

Do you have what it takes?
We are looking for bright, ambitious and highly motivated individuals who have the potential to become the future leaders and driving forces of our business.
A solid academic record including a Masters Degree, fluency in English, excellent analytical and communication skills and a willingness to spend time abroad are essential prerequisites. You will have less than two years work experience, an inquisitive nature and a proactive attitude. The ability to think conceptually and strategically, generate creative ideas and solutions, and perform under pressure is more important than any specific academic background or previous experience. Naturally, you will have a proven affinity for the financial world.

Application
If you are interested in a career in Merchant Banking, please submit the application form with your letter of application specifying your motivation and CV. The application procedure will take around eight weeks and will consist of an interview with a Human Resources Advisor and interviews with line managers. A one-day assessment is part of the procedure.