The Provincial Bank is one of the biggest financial institutions in the U.K. With its 1,900 branches and 58,000 employees, it has 1 a household name. Almost 4,000 of these employees 2 managerial or executive positions. The bank has an outstanding 3 of profitability, which has been achieved by introducing innovations at the same time as maintaining leadership of the 4 . The bank's comprehensive training programme concentrates on 5 the most important skills that graduates need in order to 6 early management responsibility. Trainees take responsibility for their own continuous self-development through visiting other branches and departments, and by 7 courses in management skills. They also receive training in order to increase their knowledge of the bank's 8 . The bank supports 9 of staff who wish to take professional examinations, and its Graduate Training Scheme is 10 to the nationally recognized Diploma in Management.Obviously the quality of its mangers is of 11 mportance to the bank's performance. It welcomes good graduates in any subject area, 12 they can demonstrate the ability to influence events, and have the potential to 13 both as leaders and as part of a team. Most graduate trainees join the Retail Banking division initially. Those starting on this programme will soon have the 14 to work in other parts of the bank and can 15 a varied and flexible working life.