The bank offers its clients three levels of help through customer service officers at branch level, financial planning managers, and relationship managers. In addition to its existing staff of 500, the bank is seeking to fill positions for another 100 financial planning managers.

Applicants for the post of financial planning manager should have at least one year sales experience in financial services or two years general management experience. Preference will be given to candidates who are university graduates that have proven experience and understanding of financial planning.

'A candidate may be a registered insurance agent, for life or non-life products, or pursuing a qualification as a Certified Financial Planner license.'

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate certain key qualities.

'We need people who are outgoing, who have good communication skills and, most of all, they should possess high integrity,' Ms Lam says.

'And when we emphasise communications skills, we expect the applicant to be versatile and flexible. We always say: adapt your style to suit your customers, whether they are businessmen, lawyers or housewives. Staff should be able to explain complex issues in simple language,' she says.

Ms Lam points out the challenges of the job. 'Financial planning managers should demonstrate perseverance. Never take things at face value as customers may have many latent needs that they are unaware of. You should be able to face rejection. And ask the right questions if you expect right answers.'

She stresses the importance of good attitude in regard to customer service, stressing that clients should always be given priority.

'In evaluating candidates, the bank has found that insurance professionals are a good fit for such positions. The job requires a highly proactive approach, and also effective time management.

'The bank values the experience and skills that insurance professionals bring to the job. These include profiling skills, questioning and listening skills to identify what exactly the customer wants, and the ability to offer solutions that help clients achieve their financial goals.'

Others with experience relevant to the position are unit trust sales professionals. 'They have the expertise and product knowledge,' Ms Lam says.

The bank is well geared to seize whatever business opportunities may arise in the market. Financial planning companies are consolidating services to create one-stop shops or insurance companies partnering with banks.

'Everyone is striving to retain clients by offering a wider range of services, and we are well positioned to do this,' Ms Lam says. 'We provide more services than any other financial institution. This is an anchor point to our clients.'

The bank has devoted substantial investment in developing financial planning software to help its managers make structured analyses and offer a professional presentation.

Newly appointed financial planning managers can look forward to a defined career path.

'Those who reach their set targets can move one grade up in their career ladder after the first six months. They will then receive a higher salary and some extra benefits in their compensation package.'

It takes four to five years to reach the top grade of executive financial planning manager.

Besides moving upwards, the managers can also move laterally to other areas of the bank, by either joining the product development team or acting as relationship managers.

'We offer our staff a wide choice of career opportunities. They have plenty of flexibility to develop their career.'

The bank also gives outstanding performers recognition at regional and international conferences.

'Our Group Chairman acknowledges top performing professionals in our Worldwide Convention, who might come from our branches in Hong Kong, Australia, Southeast Asia, Britain and the United States.'