Graduate Programme 2026
Risk Graduate Programme (3 years)
We help the Group manage all kinds of risk. You’ll explore how our Risk Management Framework supports us to identify, quantify, assess and mitigate the risks of doing business with our customers, as well as internal risks. You will work as a trusted advisor and critical friend to support the business make good long-term and risk-based decisions.
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
* Managing credit risk by understanding who we should lend to and what do we do if our customers cannot pay it back
* Managing compliance by understanding how we treat customers fairly within a regulatory framework
* Managing financial crime by understanding how we spot suspicious activity and prevent money laundering and fraud
* Managing operational risk by understanding how we manage the risk of loss from failed processes, people, systems or external events
* Managing capital risk by understanding how we ensure the Group can ensure it has sufficient financial resilience to absorb unexpected events or stresses
* Managing model risk by understanding how we ensure that we consistently measure the risk of our key models or calculators used to measure risk and support business decisions
* Managing liquidity risk by understanding how we ensure the bank is able to meet its funding needs
* Managing regulatory affairs by understanding good market practice, and how we embed it into our systems, processes and interactions with our customers.
* You’ll work towards a qualification through the Senior Compliance and Risk Specialist apprenticeship.
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a variety of roles – some of our previous graduates went on to become Impairment Senior Analyst, Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Senior Analyst, Capital and Regulatory Submissions Senior Analyst, Senior Credit Risk Analyst, and Senior Compliance Oversight Analyst, Financial Risk Senior Analyst.
Graduate Programme: Key Information
- Programme Commences: 7th September 2026
- Programme Duration: 3 years
- Starting Salary and Band: £29,500
- Location: Manchester/ Hybrid- you will also need to travel to Coventry when required.
- Applications: Please note we may withdraw this vacancy once sufficient applications have been reached.
Your placements
Placements will vary depending on business needs at the time as well as being tailored to your areas of interest. Each placement is designed to develop your commercial and strategic thinking, negotiation and influencing skills and understanding of how our Bank works. Our two and three year Graduate schemes provide a structured development programme. You’ll develop key leadership skills and competencies and gain knowledge and experience through a series of placements across your chosen business area.
Fantastic support
There’s much more to our graduate programmes than on-the-job experience. We’ll give you all of the tools we can to drive your career and develop you as a person. You’ll have access to all the support you need, but the ultimate responsibility for shaping your development will be yours. Your Business Sponsor will review and appraise your performance, providing feedback and coaching at every step of the way to ensure your success and personal growth. We’ll also assign you a senior leader mentor and work with you on a personal development plan to draw together technical training and personal and professional learning to help you grow your skills and gain a relevant apprenticeship.
Are you made of the right stuff?
We’re looking for commercial thinkers with real enthusiasm, energy and potential. Level headed with a mind full of bright ideas, you’ll crave responsibility and have the drive to see things through from start to finish. A great communicator who can connect with anyone – whoever they are, you’ll enjoy taking on new challenges and creating and developing new products and ideas that will shape the future of banking.
Graduate Programme: Application Process
What you’ll need
Above all you must be passionate about looking at things differently to shape the future of banking.
Entry Requirements:
- On course for, or have achieved a 2:1 degree or above in any discipline or a 2:2 degree with a Masters (Finance/ Analytics/ Mathematics preferred but not essential)
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Strong passion for data & analysis
Our assessment process
We’ve designed our process so we can get to know each other better along the way. We’ll ask you to participate in:
- Online application and screening
- Video Interview
- Assessment Centre – weeks commencing 23rd-27th March (In person, located at our HQ in Manchester)
- Final stakeholder interview
We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.
Our Bank is passionate and committed to continuing to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment where all colleagues can fulfil their potential.
At the beginning of the year, The Co-operative Bank officially became part of the Coventry Building Society Group. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.
If you require more information or this document in a different format, please contact graduates@co-operativebank.co.uk
As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.
*Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 11.2 as of 14 January 2025.