Associate Development Program – Commercial Banking Innovation

Job Description

Associate Development Program, Sept 2027 | First Citizens Bank

The Tone:
This is a hybrid role at First Citizens Bank, located in San Francisco, CA, with the expectation that time working will regularly take place both inside and outside of a company office. First Citizens Bank offers the strength and stability of a diversified financial institution with a 125-year tradition of service, providing a personalized approach to help personal, business, commercial, and wealth clients build lasting financial strength. This Associate Development Program acts as a launching pad for a career, offering comprehensive training and the chance to collaborate with teams supporting innovative businesses, venture-backed companies, and other participants in the innovation economy. The program provides broad exposure and prepares associates for a wide range of career paths across First Citizens.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid San Francisco, CA
• Pay: $33.77–$40.87 hourly
• Team: Associates are embedded within business units across First Citizens’ Commercial Banking platform.
• Mission: To develop foundational business, financial, and credit skills while understanding the innovation economy to deliver tailored financial solutions to clients.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Training Foundation: Participate in a comprehensive hands-on training curriculum including classroom instruction, case-study exercises, and live work with experienced facilitators and business leaders.
• Client Support: Develop foundational business, financial, and credit skills to support dynamic, diverse, and rapidly growing clients across various life stages within the innovation economy.
• Financial Solutions: Learn to develop and deliver bespoke financial solutions tailored to all participants in the innovation ecosystem, including startups, founders, investors, and public companies.
• Credit and Portfolio Management: Embed within Commercial Banking business units to receive hands-on training in credit risk assessment, loan portfolio management, and client management.
• Client Relationship Management: Assist in managing various aspects of client portfolios and relationships, including assessing and monitoring credit risk and providing financial and credit analysis for innovative companies.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level career position for individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree, or 4 years of experience if holding a High School Diploma or GED. Candidates should demonstrate interest and basic knowledge in business, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, technology, or innovation.
• Experience: No specific years of experience required with a Bachelor’s degree; 4 years with a High School Diploma or GED. Experience should include coursework, internships, leadership roles, or employment demonstrating an interest in the innovation economy.
• Skills: Partnerships and Collaboration, strong Written and Verbal Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Accountability, and Attention to Detail.
• Bonus: A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred, along with a passing grade in at least one finance, accounting, or economics college course. Candidates should enjoy challenges, demonstrate strong decision-making, be coachable, and possess the ability to lead while also working independently. Readiness to relocate to one of 30+ office locations upon successful completion of the program is also a plus.