Jobs › Northern Trust

Risk and Compliance Intern

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $30.00–$35.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why are you interested in risk and compliance at a bank like Northern Trust?

What they are checking: Genuine interest in the field and understanding of why risk and compliance matter in finance.

Tell me about a time you noticed something that seemed wrong and spoke up.

What they are checking: Willingness to raise concerns, which is central to working in risk and compliance.

Tell me about a project where you had to be very careful with details.

What they are checking: Attention to detail, which compliance work depends on.

Tell me about a time you worked with people from different backgrounds on a team.

What they are checking: Collaboration skills in a global firm with diverse colleagues.

What skills do you hope to build in this internship?

What they are checking: Self-awareness about their development and how the internship fits their career plans.

What would you do

You find an error in a report your manager already sent out. What do you do?

What they are checking: Integrity and tact in raising mistakes, even when it is uncomfortable.

How would you go about reviewing a large set of documents for problems?

What they are checking: Organized approach to review work and knowing when to ask questions.

What would you do if you were asked to finish a task by a deadline that meant skipping a step in the procedure?

What they are checking: Commitment to doing things correctly and raising concerns rather than cutting corners.

About the work

In your own words, what is the difference between risk management and compliance?

What they are checking: Basic understanding of how managing risk differs from meeting rules and regulations.

What is a regulation or financial news story you've followed recently, and why did it interest you?

What they are checking: Curiosity about the regulatory world and the ability to explain a topic clearly.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northern Trust from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

About Northern Trust As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide. With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. Please note: Each applicant has the opportunity to apply to a maximum of 3 job postings per recruitment season in North America.  Please do not create multiple email addresses to apply to additional opportunities. Posting Close Date: October 9 , 2026, 11:59pm Central, unless the class is filled before that date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible as programs will close once positions are filled. WHO YOU ARE • You are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college/university , majoring in Finance , Economics, Data Science & Analytics , Artificial Intelligence , Management Information System , Business Management and Administration , Mathematics , and Computer Science , with an expected graduation date between December 202 7 and Summer 202 8 • You have a minimum GPA of 3.0 • You have some knowledge of risk and compliance principles, usually acquired through coursework or prior related experience, and are curious to learn more • You are curious about financial markets and interested in learning more about the financial services industry markets, business operations, administration, data, and execution of a globally systemic important bank. • You have proven analytical, data interpretation, problem-solving, critical and strategic thinking skills through coursework and/or previous internship experience • You have demonstrated leadership and teamwork through projects and extracurricular involvement • Strong verbal and written communication, results driven based on time sensitive deliverable s , time management skills WHAT YOU’LL DO As an intern at Northern Trust, you will have the opportunity to build relevant skills, work on meaningful projects, and participate in a collaborative program designed to support your early career development. You will work directly with your team on day-to-day tasks while joining internship program events to develop new skills, network with senior leaders, and connect with fellow interns in the program. Through hands-on experience, meaningful project work, and exposure to a dynamic global business, you will begin to see how your interests can grow into a long-term career at Northern Trust. A recruiter will work with you to determine the best team placement given your interests, skill set, and relevant experience THE PROGRAM: • Ten weeks • Located in Chicago, IL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES: • Professional development workshops • Lunch & Learns with Leadership • Intern Cross-Functional Project Presentation • Intern volunteer event • Social events • Ongoing learnings at enterprise-wide level • Mentorship and networking opportunities WHAT YOU’LL GAIN: • Complete, compile, and present high-quality summaries of findings, insights, and recommendations in a concise and professional manner. • Analyze risk, control, and operational data to develop reporting, dashboards, and metrics that support risk monitoring and decision-making. • Support Risk project teams in the implementation and enhancement of risk frameworks, controls, governance processes, and regulatory initiatives. • Leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies to improve risk management processes and operational efficiency. • Partner with business, risk, and control stakeholders to identify process improvements and support enterprise risk objectives. • Develop professional skills related to an assigned area of Risk through project work, mentorship, and business unit engagement. SAMPLE FUTURE CAREER PATHS/TRACKS: Risk & Compliance Analyst, Data Analytics Analyst, and more as part of our Analyst Development Program (ADP). Salary Range: Salary range is $30.00 - $35.00 USD per hour. Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component. Work Authorization Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa). Working with Us As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve. Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities. Reasonable Accommodation Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

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