Private Banking Manager - Reading

Handelsbanken offers a genuinely different approach to banking. We are a local relationship bank providing bespoke, customer-led banking and wealth management services for personal and corporate customers. Our branch teams build trusted, long-term relationships with customers in their local communities. With our decentralised ways of working, decisions are made in the branch, close to the customers. Teams decide who they work with and how best to support them, without short-term sales targets or bonus-driven incentives. Instead, we focus on doing what is right for the customer, even when that means prioritising long-term value over short-term profit.

This approach has underpinned our success for decades. Today, Handelsbanken holds the strongest credit rating among its peer banks, is independently recognised as Europe’s safest commercial bank, and is consistently ranked highly for customer satisfaction and relationship banking. Our culture is values-led, shaped by trust, respect, and long-term thinking. We empower our people to use their expertise, make confident decisions and build long-term careers. We look for people who share our long-term vision, want to grow and want to make a meaningful impact in their local community and with the Bank. We also recognise that flexibility can support people to perform at their best, and that it looks different for everyone. While arrangements will depend on the requirements of the role and the needs of the business, we are open to having a conversation around what flexibility could look like for you.

We are looking for a Private Banking Manager to join our Branch in Reading. You will be responsible for the management and development of a private banking customer portfolio, driving profitable business growth through proactive promotion of the Bank’s products and services. The role includes attracting new customers to the bank via customer referrals, active engagement with mortgage brokers, professional advisors and working closely with the Corporate Banking Managers. You will have a strong focus on lending (mortgages), wealth and deposit growth, and managing all aspects of the customer relationship within the portfolio, including preparation of credit applications and ensuring our clients have full knowledge of the Bank’s services.

• Develop and grow a portfolio of new and existing private banking customers, through providing high levels of customer service, active external networking and business development.
• Build and develop a sound understanding of the local business market and referral networks and maintain strong relationships with professional firms, brokers and business introducers to support sustainable growth.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across the bank’s product offerings (including but not limited to wealth management, savings and mortgages etc) to deliver tailored solutions for customers.
• Communicate a clear message to Market and Customers as to what the Bank stands for and how we differentiate ourselves.
• Evaluate and interpret financial information, lending proposals, structure transactions and apply commercial and risk-balanced decisions in line with the Bank's Credit Policy and lending discretion.
• Partner closely with functional stakeholders to ensure customers are receiving the full offering of Handelsbanken services.
• Operate in line with the Bank's Risk Management framework (including sub-frameworks) and relevant risk and compliance policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate and timely escalation of any concerns to their line manager.

What we’re looking for:

• Able to demonstrate a strong desire and success in business development, including originating new customer business.
• Proven experience of managing a customer portfolio, largely of professionals, business owners and high net worth individuals, ideally within a relationship-focused banking model, brokerage, independent financial advisory (IFA) or similar financial background.
• Familiarity with local market dynamics, professionals, existing broker networks and referral based business development would be highly desirable.
• Ability to influence, build and maintain meaningful and long-lasting professional relationships, acting as an ambassador for Handelsbanken at all times.
• Track record of identifying cross selling opportunities.
• Experience and knowledge of lending processes and relevant credit analysis.
• Collaborative working style with a focus on strong stakeholder management skills and shared success.
• Demonstrated attention to detail with a structured, methodical approach, operates with high levels of integrity and discretion, and shows resilience in a changing environment.

We want everyone at Handelsbanken to feel supported, motivated, and able to do great work. That’s why, alongside brilliant colleagues, meaningful work and training and development opportunities, we provide a variety of benefits designed with your wellbeing in mind. In addition, there is a flexible benefits package with the key highlights detailed below.

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken Talent Acquisition Partners will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.