Young Corporate Banker Shares Insights

Nelisa Cata (24) is a Corporate Banking Associate at HSBC Bank plc in Johannesburg where she's a part of the bank’s relationship management team. The division manages the bank’s international subsidiaries business as well as the relationships held with domestic large corporations. Nelisa has a BCom Hons Business Finance (Economics, Corporate Finance and Investments) under her belt. Transform SA spoke to this young and promising business leader.

What position do you hold what are your day to day responsibilities?

I’m a Corporate Banking Associate at HSBC Bank. I’m part of the relationship management team which is responsible for maintaining and servicing the current portfolio of clients. I’m also involved in cultivating new business in varying industries including but not limited to manufacturing, retail, agriculture and renewable energy.

What attracted you to the profession?

I have always been aware of my strengths. I knew I was a good orator and I write quite well. I’ve always found easy to foster and cultivate relationships, people trusted my advice, and I have natural business acumen. So, banking provides a balance that allows me to combine all of these strengths.

Bankers have to be knowledgeable in a number of disciplines. This must be accompanied by an astute understanding of the regulatory and compliance environment within which they operate. They must also be creative and adaptive relationship builders.

What contributed to your success as a professional?

Completing an internship programme and working part-time while pursuing my honours was a worthwhile undertaking as those foundational steps proved invaluable when I entered the corporate world. My psyche was just right. Having past work experience and having cultivated and honed my individual strengths and personality relative to those of others, meant that I could position myself strategically and in a manner that was relevant to the organization.