Starting a Commercial Banking Internship — Advice from Bankers?

Hi everyone,

I’ll be starting a Commercial Banking internship at a large Canadian bank and would love to hear from people who currently work in banking or have experience in Commercial Banking, Credit, Relationship Management, or related areas.

I’ve been doing some preparation on my own, but I’m particularly interested in the things you only learn from actually working in the industry.

For those who have been through a banking internship:
-What separates a great intern from an average one?

-What technical skills should I actually know before starting (financial statements, credit analysis, cash flow, Excel, etc.)?

-What should I learn beforehand, and what am I probably overthinking?

-How much should I try to shadow RMs, credit analysts, or sit in on client/deal discussions?

-What are some questions you wish interns asked more often?

-What are the most common mistakes interns make?

-How do you balance asking questions with trying to figure things out yourself?

-What are some things about banking culture, client relationships, or working with senior bankers that aren't obvious to someone coming from university?

-If you were starting your first banking internship again, what would you focus on during your first 30 days?

Most importantly:
What do you know now that you wish you knew before your first banking internship?
I'm not looking for textbook advice as much as the real-world, “I wish someone had told me this” type of advice.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experience!