What motivates employee development initiatives in retail banks? This paper focuses on these initiatives within three retail banks, examining the motives and expectations underpinning them. The study draws on empirical findings to explore underlying assumptions shaping the implementation of these initiatives, enhancing the organizational perspective with insights from individual employees. Findings reveal the impact of employee development initiatives on individuals' willingness to learn and take ownership of their development. The analysis emphasizes the interplay between individual and organizational priorities within development, highlighting challenges inherent in these initiatives. The implications of these challenges for organizational design of employee development initiatives, as well as future thinking and research in employee development, are discussed, providing valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers in the field.