Cannabis Banking Intern

Overview

First Citizens Bank offers an exciting summer internship program that provides development opportunities and hands on work experience while creating a talent pipeline for the Bank. Our interns will apply classroom knowledge in a corporate environment while making a positive impact across the organization and the communities we serve. Come help First Citizens build for the future!

As an intern within the Cannabis Banking Division, you will gain exposure to a unique and rapidly evolving segment of the financial services industry. You will work alongside a team of 11 cannabis banking professionals and develop a strong understanding of how financial institutions serve this highly regulated market.

Working within a complex regulatory environment, you will gain firsthand knowledge of FDIC guidelines, compliance requirements, and legal considerations through collaboration with internal and external partners, including legal counsel. You will also learn how the bank supports cannabis-related businesses and generates revenue within this specialized sector. Founded in 2019, the Cannabis Banking Division has grown into one of the industry's leading banking programs and is part of the largest financial institution serving the cannabis industry.

In this role, you will collaborate with partners across the organization, gaining broad exposure to relationship management, risk assessment, and business strategy. Your responsibilities will include identifying and developing Centers of Influence (COIs), conducting market research, and supporting business development initiatives through prospecting, lead generation, and outbound sales activities.

In addition, you will contribute to strategic projects focused on enhancing operational efficiency, improving business processes, and identifying opportunities for automation and scalability across the division. These projects will provide hands-on experience analyzing workflows, recommending process improvements, and supporting initiatives that drive the continued growth and success of the Cannabis Banking Division.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to build industry expertise while developing valuable analytical, communication, problem-solving, and relationship management skills in a fast-growing and dynamic business environment.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

In this role, you will:

* Be part of a dynamic team with interesting projects.

* Accountabilities can and may include areas such as research, analytics, projects, strategy, process review and improvement, as well as technology enhancements and support.

* Attend professional development sessions, informational sessions, networking and community service events.

* Have a dedicated manager and program manager to help you navigate the bank and the internship program.

* Be assigned a project, designed to improve a specific process or solve a problem that you will present at the close of the internship.

* Prepare a wrap-up presentation to be shared with the division leader and other key stakeholders in the company to outline your accomplishments and experience during the internship.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Accountabilities assigned by the intern’s direct manager, area or department leadership. Accountabilities may include areas such as branch operations, sales processes, research, analytics, projects, strategy, process review and improvement, as well as technology enhancement assessment and support. Amongst or in addition to these accountabilities, a business aligned project should be assigned. This project will be presented to local leaders and other key stakeholders in the company.
Attend professional development sessions, informational meetings, networking, and community service events as scheduled.

Internship dates: 5/24/27 - 7/30/27

Position Specific Skills:

• Adaptability
• Communication (Written & Verbal)
• Critical Thinking Skills

Required qualifications:

* High School Diploma or GED and 1 year of experience

* Currently enrolled at an accredited collegiate institution (during the time of the summer program)

* Ability to work 40 hours per week during the duration of the program

Preferred qualifications:

* 3.0 Minimum GPA

* Sales, including outbound sales experience

* Proficiency in MS Office

* Strong verbal and written communications skills with desire to learn and grow

* Possess a positive attitude, naturally curious and enjoys collaborating with others

* Critical thinking skills

* Ability to multitask

* Ability to adapt and adjust priorities based on business needs

* Ability to take direction and absorb information quickly

Additional Information

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.