Not everyone in banking is in it for the money! Our blog this month comes from Niel Vlok, husband to Sarah and father to his 2 girls Rachel (4) and Annabell (1). Niel is a Branch Controls Manager in Santander and has been working for the bank since graduating from the University of Brighton in 2004.

I’m submitting my blog a bit on the late side, sitting here as I write this a week into the new month. The last few weeks have been taken up (as many families with small children will appreciate) with poorly-ness being shared, lovingly, from one family member to another – such are the joys and blessings of young children!

Sarah and I started going to Shenley Christian Fellowship after we moved to Milton Keynes in 2005, having lived in Mid-Beds previously, commuting into MK every day for me and every weekend for both of us to enjoy the new city. Chris Doig told us to look around and to try the churches in the area – “Don’t worry – we’re not in competition with one another!” That felt right and we had gone to one or two churches before visiting SCF but we were so warmly welcomed we wanted to stay.The real sense I have always had from God, is patience to wait and work out what he has already got planned for us – our time is not always His time (read that last bit back to front and it will make even more sense). I suppose, even more important, is not to wait idly by for God to do this for you, I like to think God wants me to be a doer – but just on His schedule.

I was asked to share some thoughts on myself (see above) and some thoughts on working in the financial industry (see below). Whilst I don’t feel qualified to make any real insightful and well-reasoned exposition on the nature of human behaviour in the banking sector, I am very happy to talk about where I am coming from.

Why did I end up in banking? During my final year at University, Sarah encouraged me in applying for some of the top graduate schemes in the country, starting with the FTSE 100 list, and amazingly only the banks got back to me! The thing that really made me settle on Abbey National (as it was at the time) was the people and how open and friendly they were.

Why is a Christian working in a bank? Since joining the bank in 2004, I have worked on the graduate scheme, various branch, change-management, and more significantly "risk and control" roles. During all of the roles I have found that God seemed to be calling me to support staff and help staff do their jobs better – it’s what I enjoy. The risk and control environment is interesting and has its challenges.

How does being a Christian help? Obviously Jesus has a lot to say on money, integrity and working for your employer, but let me simply focus on one important issue which is the work/life balance topic. Now this is my personal opinion – so take it or leave it  – but I will leave you with one final thought. At the end of my time before I go to be with my God in heaven, will I wish I had spent that extra late-night-hour in the office?

Did you know there is a Banking Christian Fellowship which links and supports Christians in the banking industry?