How to Become a Bank Manager: Career Path Guide

If you want to become a bank manager, you first need to determine if this career path is a good
fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. If the following description sounds like you,
then youre probably well suited for a career as a bank manager:

You enjoy directing and supervising the work of others

You have a customer-centered approach to business activates

You have a thorough understanding of financial product regulations and the legal aspects of
banking

You have the patience and stamina to meet the training, experience and education requirements

You enjoy the idea of working within a corporate structure

You enjoy having clear rules and methods to guide work activities

Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a bank manager. We've also included
helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list
of possible employers and much more!

Career Paths for Becoming a Bank Manager

Through a banks graduate management trainee program: Many banking and other financial
organizations in Canada and the United States offer management training programs for
university graduates who wish to become bank managers. The entrance requirements for these
programs may vary, although they typically include a university degree in a field such as
business, economics, finance, management or marketing.

Gain experience in branch operations and work your way up: If you want to become a bank
manager by working your way up, you will typically need 5 years or more of experience in roles
such as Loan Officer, Accountant, Auditor, Securities Sales Agent, or Financial Analyst. Working
in such positions will allow you to gain a great deal of experience in the operations of the branch
and the corporate system in which it operates. In addition to work experience, most banks and
financial institutions will require management candidates to complete a training program in order
to qualify for a job as a bank manager.

Education Needed to Become a Bank Manager

The educational requirements for becoming a bank manager vary from employer to employer.
Many organizations that employ bank managers require candidates for bank manager jobs, or
bank management training programs, to have a university degree in a field related to banking or
management, such as economics, finance, marketing, management, or closely related fields.

Some banks, credit union or other financial institution systems do not require their management
candidates to have a university degree or college diploma, as they may have an in-house
management training program that provides them with the required knowledge base and skill set.
However, these programs typically allow candidates with a university degree in a field related to
bank management to complete the training in less time.

Bank Manager Job Description

Bank managers are responsible for the supervision of their staff as well as reaching sales targets
and providing exceptional customer service. They are ultimately responsible for the success of
the bank, credit union, securities brokerage or other financial institution branch that employs
them.

Bank Manager Job Duties

Sell bank products and services to new and existing customers

Ensure proper corporate policies and procedures are being followed by branch employees
 May develop and implement branch business plan

Help customers identify financial goals and present plans to help them achieve those goals

Ensure that the branch is meeting sales and customer service standards

Develop and maintain customer service procedures

Plan and budget for the operation of the branch

Recruit new employees into the branch or company system

Liaise with head office

Licensing Needed to Become a Bank Manager

The licensing and certification requirements for becoming a bank manager vary from employer
to employer, and from region to region. You may need licensing or certification in one of the
following areas to qualify for a job as a bank manager:

Investment Funds and Financial Securities

Credit Management

Personal Financial Planning

Who Creates Jobs for Bank Managers?

The following types of organizations typically employ bank managers on a full-time or
contractual basis:

Banks
 Credit unions

Financial securities brokerages

Commodities brokerages

Trust companies

Mortgage investment companies

Find Bank Manager Job Opportunities

Bank Manager Jobs - Canada

Bank Manager Jobs - United States

Bank Manager Salary

The salary level of bank managers can vary, depending on their level of education, their level of
experience, their demonstrated abilities, and many other factors.

Bank Manager Salary Alberta: According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey,
Albertans working in the Banking, Credit and Other Investment Managers occupational group
earn an average of between $31.14 and $47.39 per hour.
Bank Manager Salary Canada: According to Service Canada, the average salary of Canadians
in the Banking, Credit and Other Investment Managers occupational group is $76,496 per year.

Bank Manager Salary United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the median salary level of American workers in the Financial Managers occupational
group is $109,740 per year.

Characteristics Needed to Become a Bank Manager

In order to enjoy performing the duties of a bank manager, you need to have certain personality
traits. Taking enjoyment from your duties as a bank manager is important, as it helps you
maintain a positive attitude towards your work, which usually leads to having a long and
successful career.

A willingness to take responsibility for the success of the bank

A customer-focus approach to work activities

Excellent problem solving and dispute resolution skills

Enjoy directing and supervising the work of others

Enjoy having clear rules and methods to guide work activities

An outgoing personality and good interpersonal skills

A willingness to rectify customer complaints

A willingness to work within a corporate structure

Skills Needed to Become a Bank Manager

In order to become effective in a career as a bank manager, you need to posses a certain set of
skills. These skills will allow you to perform your job duties with competence, and you will
likely need to show evidence of them in your resume when applying for bank manager jobs.

Able to lead and motivate staff, and direct their work activities

Sales and marketing skills; able to develop a business plan for the branch and ensure it is
executed by staff

A thorough understanding of financial product regulations and the legal aspects of banking

The ability to build and maintain meaningful respectful relationships with staff and customers

A demonstrated ability to provide advice on the best course of action to address a variety of
operational issues

An understanding of relevant corporate structures, systems, processes, products and services,

policies and objectives

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Access and Excel

Strong understanding of, and experience in, general management concepts, such as finance,
human resources, marketing, sales, compliance, operations

Careers Similar to Bank Manager

Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Bank Manager, as they may
involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.

Account Manager

Credit Manager

Finance Manager
 Investment Portfolio Manager

Operations Manager

References: Bank Manager Career Information

Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as
a bank manager.

Alberta Learning and Information Service website: alis.alberta.ca

National Career Services website: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

Open Universities Australia website: www.open.edu.au

Service Canada website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website: www.bls.gov

Scholarships for Becoming a Bank Manager

Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming a Bank Manager can be found on our All
Scholarships by Major page.

Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are
millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!

Becoming a Bank Manager: Applicable Majors

Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a
bank manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!

Accounting
Business Administration
Economics
Finance
Management
Marketing
Mathematics

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