Recommendation Letter For Admission To Mit Sloan Master Of Finance Program Admission Essay Sample

I have known the applicant, Xiang Ao, when he was accepted in the internship program in China Merchants Bank (CMB), Chengdu branch, where he worked as an assistant client manager about five years ago. I was his direct supervisor, as Client Manager of CMB.
Concurrently, Xiang Ao developed extensive acumen in hedge funds. Through knowledge of the bank’s products and services, including risk and return allocations, he was able to provide clients with financial proposals that reduced volatility in risks and optimized potentials for returns. As such, high net-worth clients and corporate finance managers who sought financial advice for various investment opportunities relayed immense satisfaction with Xiang Ao’s successful application of hedge fund strategies. In addition, he ensured that the bank is likewise exposed to the minimum risk, especially those applying for different loans, through effectively checking the clients’ information through field visits, background and credit checks, as well as cross verification of disclosed information. He is disciplined, focused, and enthusiastic of complying with the tasks assigned in the most efficient and effect manner.
The strong conformity to ethical, moral, and legal standards affirmed Xiang Ao’s personality as a transformative leader. He exuded professional charisma that enabled gaining the trust and confidence of clients. Through innate skills in finance, probabilities, risk and return, as well as in meeting the needs of the clients, Xiang Ao has always been asked for professional advice on the most viable investment opportunity or the financial package which could be availed to serve explicitly identified purposes. In addition, in terms of work ethics, he was also observed to conduct himself extraordinarily well as part of the client management division. He is a good team member who interacts regularly with other stakeholders: employees and supervisors from other departments, bank suppliers, and higher management. Xiang Ao exhibited skills in problem solving, time management, teambuilding, and conflict resolution. He was seen to be particularly proficient in addressing clients’ inquiries and complaints through providing appropriate advice based on the bank’s policies and procedures. Likewise, he immediately assists in resolving conflicts through an evaluation of the root cause of the dilemma and to resolve it according to the bank’s chain of command.
There was a specific instance when an irate client came to complain on the apparent error in recording expected financial returns from a long-term investment placement. Xiang Ao effectively addressed the client’s concern by listening intently on the apparent problem. Both he and the client traced that the issue stemmed from the alleged misunderstanding in termination date of the placement; which, according to bank personnel, was pre-terminated according to the client’s personal request. Apparently, the client had an emergency requirement two years ago which necessitated pre-termination of the long-term investment; which the client inadvertently forgot. It was good that the request of the client was well-documented through a formal letter which was shown by Xiang Ao after careful review of the client’s investment file. As such, the client eventually understood that there was no error on the part of the bank and Xiang Ao effectively managed to regain the trust and confidence of the client through exemplary customer service and conflict resolution skills.
When Xiang Ao served as the assistant client manager, I already knew that he intended to pursue higher education in the field of finance. Thus, although he already exuded exemplary skills in customer service, teamwork, communication, and financial management, I strongly believe that a master’s degree from MIT Sloan would further develop leadership skills as well as advanced quantitative finance skills. There is nothing from Xiang Ao’s personal or professional characteristics that is deemed needed to be changed. The personal and professional skills, competencies and abilities are considered appropriate to prepare him for a masteral program in finance which would further develop the knowledge and skills that have already been exhibited as exemplary.