How I Went from SBI Manager to Risk Analyst at HSBC After Completing FRM

If you’re searching for the best FRM coaching in Delhi, want to explore real FRM jobs, or are wondering why join RBei Classes for FRM coaching, this story will inspire you. I’m Varun Singhal, a former Manager at SBI in Gurugram, and at the age of 38, I transitioned into a Risk Analyst role at HSBC, with a CTC above ₹50 LPA. And yes, this shift happened after I completed the FRM course—all thanks to the right strategy, mentorship, and the expert support from RBei Classes.

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In this blog, I’ll walk you through my real-life journey: when I decided to pursue FRM, how I battled self-doubt, and most importantly, how Deepak Goyal Sir’s mind maps, short notes, and technical training helped me change my life—even at a time when most people assume it’s too late to try.

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Why I Chose FRM at the Age of 38?

Working for over two decades in SBI gave me deep experience in credit, compliance, and retail banking. However, I started noticing a clear shift in the banking world—risk management, data-driven decisions, and regulatory frameworks were becoming central to banking strategy. Promotions had slowed down, and despite all my experience, my career growth plateaued.

That’s when I came across the FRM (Financial Risk Manager) course. I saw its increasing demand in both Indian and global banking ecosystems. The job roles you can get after clearing FRM Part 1 were already aligned with what I had been doing—just more structured, better paid, and more global in scope. The real question was: Could I manage FRM at my age while working full-time? That’s when I found RBei Classes, the best coaching for FRM, and I haven’t looked back since.

Read Also: FRM for Commerce Students – Career Path & Coaching

Why Join RBei Classes for FRM Coaching?

There were plenty of coaching options. But RBei Classes stood out for multiple reasons:

1. Personalized Attention from Deepak Goyal Sir

From the beginning, Deepak Sir treated my learning curve differently. He acknowledged that I came from a practical background and tailored the support accordingly.

2. Short Notes and Mind Maps

This was the game-changer. I didn’t have the time to read the full textbooks. But Deepak Sir’s mind maps and short notes condensed each topic beautifully—making it easier to revise and retain.

3. FRM Placement Support with Technical Skills

What most people don’t know is that RBei doesn’t just teach the FRM syllabus. They also offer free technical upskilling in areas like Excel modeling, risk reporting, and data visualization—which added tremendous weight to my CV.

These were the reasons why I believe RBei Classes is the top FRM online coaching with placement support.

My 6-Month Strategy to Clear FRM (With a Full-Time Job)

Let’s be honest—FRM is not easy, especially if you’re working full-time and haven’t studied formally in a decade. However, with structure and commitment, it’s doable.

Here’s what worked for me:

Month 1–2: Mastering FRM Important Chapters List

With Deepak Sir’s guidance, I focused on the most important chapters in each subject. Instead of trying to cover everything equally, I studied smart.

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For example:

In Foundations of Risk, I prioritized Risk Appetite Framework, Operational Risk, and Basel III.
In Quant, I focused more on distributions and regression models.

This focus helped me build 80% coverage with 50% effort.

Month 3–4: Application-Based Learning

I didn’t just memorize formulas—I applied them. RBei’s case studies and question banks helped me think like a risk analyst, not just a student.

Month 5–6: Mocks + Technical Skill Building

Every Sunday, I took a full-length mock exam under timed conditions. Meanwhile, I started using RBei’s free technical skill sessions to build confidence in Excel, risk dashboards, and credit portfolio analysis.

This balanced approach helped me clear FRM Part 1 and 2 in first attempts.

The Emotional Journey — From Doubt to Confidence

There were days I questioned everything—Was I too old to start over? Was I wasting time?

One day, after a 12-hour workday at SBI, I sat with Deepak Sir on a late-night call. He told me:

“You’re not starting from scratch. You’re building on decades of experience. FRM just gives it global validation.”

Those words stayed with me.

That emotional support, paired with structured preparation, made all the difference. This is what separates RBei from the rest—it’s not just a course, it’s a mentorship experience.

Cracking the Interview & Getting Hired by HSBC

After completing FRM, I updated my CV and shared it with RBei’s placement support team. They immediately noticed the technical add-ons I had acquired—thanks to RBei’s training.

Within 4 weeks, I got a referral interview at HSBC for a Risk Analyst role.

The interview wasn’t just about theory—they asked me about real-life credit risk scenarios, data interpretation, and reporting frameworks. I answered confidently, not just because I studied well—but because RBei prepared me like a professional.

One week later, I had the offer in hand—₹50+ LPA CTC.

FRM Jobs & Roles You Can Get After Clearing Part 1

Even after just clearing FRM Part 1, candidates can apply for roles such as:

Credit Analyst
Operational Risk Associate
Compliance Officer
Market Risk Intern or Junior Analyst

Once you clear FRM Part 2, roles open up further into:

Risk Manager
Quantitative Analyst
Risk Consultant
Model Validation Specialist

And yes, most of these positions offer salaries starting from ₹12–15 LPA, going up to ₹40–60 LPA with experience.

Final Thoughts – Age Is Just a Number

If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to invest in your learning—take my story as proof that it’s never too late.

I cracked both levels of FRM, learned technical skills I never imagined I could, and joined HSBC at age 38, in a globally respected role, with a salary package that exceeded expectations.

If you’re serious about upgrading your career, trust me: