Swiss banking giant UBS wants AI skills from its incoming junior bankers. Anyone applying to start in 2027 as a graduate or intern in Global Banking and Markets has to show how they can use AI to improve outcomes and efficiency, the Financial Times reports, citing people familiar with the matter. Interviews will include questions about how candidates use AI.
The requirement sits alongside classic criteria like a strong degree and will also apply to other newly posted roles. That makes UBS one of the first major banks with this demand. Banks are increasingly automating routine junior work like financial analysis, research, and client presentations. UBS said AI skills complement academic and social abilities but don't replace them.
Spain's Santander is also looking for advanced AI users for some trainee programs, according to its documents. Morgan Stanley analysts expect more than 200,000 banking jobs in Europe to disappear within five years. JPMorgan's Europe head Conor Hillery warned in December that juniors can't lose the fundamentals. UBS is also testing analyst avatars for client presentations.
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