Becoming a banker is a great career choice for those who love money, numbers, and the world of finance. Becoming a banker can be one of the most rewarding careers you can choose, especially if you are passionate about financial markets and business.
In order to become a banker, you must first decide which type of banking industry you want to work in. There are many different types of banking industries to consider including investment banking, commercial banking and retail banking. Once you have decided which type of industry you would like to work in then it is time to start preparing for your career in banking by taking courses at your local community college or university that will help prepare you for the next step in your journey towards becoming an actual banker.
When it comes time to apply for jobs as an entry level employee at various banks throughout your region then it’s important that you know exactly what qualifications they require from their employees before applying for any positions within their company because there are some banks out there who do not require any experience whatsoever when applying for jobs with them but instead only require everything else on paper like education level etc.,
How To Become Banker
Banking jobs are an excellent fit for anybody interested in personal finance, business, and math. Banks typically provide excellent benefits, opportunities for advancement, and an office environment to work in. Plus, there are a variety of positions that include customer-facing roles and analytical duties. If you like the idea of working indoors and dealing with numbers, you may want to try a career in banking.
How to Become a Banker
Start by identifying the type of banking career that appeals to you most, and develop your skills to advance your career.1
Pick Your Path
You can work in retail banks and credit unions nationwide, commercial bank divisions with a focus on business needs, investment banks that help firms raise capital, and other types of institutions.
Develop Your Skills
Before you get a job as a banker, it’s critical to be good with numbers. Study math, statistics, or business to build a strong foundation—but don’t ignore “soft” skills. If you can score an internship with a bank or an organization in financial services, you’ll gain valuable experience and meet people who can help you move forward. Customer service and sales skills are also helpful.
Satisfy Requirements
You can potentially work as a teller with a high school diploma or GED, but personal bankers typically need a college degree.2 For investment banking, loan origination, or financial planning, you may need advanced degrees, designations, or licenses to land a job or get promoted.3 That said, you can often begin in an entry-level position and meet those requirements through on-the-job training and employer-paid programs.
Get Hired
It’s easy to apply for open positions—and that’s an effective strategy for entry-level roles. But you can also try to create your own opportunities by contacting banks and credit unions that you think would be a good fit and asking about available positions. Go through the interview process with several potential employers to learn more about your career path and the industry in general. At the same time, you’ll sharpen your interviewing skills. For higher-level positions, use your network, if possible.Ask for informational interviews, which can potentially uncover opportunities that are not yet published in job listings.
Move Up and Branch Out?
There’s nothing wrong with becoming a personal banker and enjoying a long career in one place. But if you have the desire, you can move into management or director roles, regulatory compliance, or accounting. Taking on additional responsibilities typically leads to higher earnings.
Retail Banking
The household name banks you’re most familiar with are probably retail banks. Retail banks, located in almost every city, help individuals and businesses with essential financial needs like checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, and more.
When you become a retail banker, you can find job opportunities nationwide. You’ll excel if you have customer service skills and you’re good with numbers.
Tellers
Retail banks and credit unions are an excellent place to start your career. You can start as a bank teller with a high school diploma or GED and continue your studies or move on from there.2 But you don’t have to move on—life as a teller can be a satisfying lifelong career. Tellers work with the local community and develop relationships with customers.
Personal Bankers and Loan Officers
With some work experience and a college degree, you can help customers with more complex needs.4 You might promote bank products and services that help them manage their finances and assist customers with obtaining home and auto loans. You can also help local businesses with basic banking needs and financing.
Sales Skills
Becoming a personal banker requires more than just helping customers make deposits and withdrawals. You also need basic sales skills and the willingness to promote your bank’s services. You shouldn’t need to mislead or take advantage of anybody. Instead, you would learn to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions that truly help customers while bringing in profitable business.
Your customers need banking services, and the goal is to help them satisfy that need.
Commercial Banks
Commercial banks focus on business needs.5 For example, you can help businesses accept credit cards and process other types of payments from customers. Companies also need guidance on managing their assets while limiting risk. You might even help organizations do business overseas or borrow money to expand operations.
Useful Skills
To become a commercial banker, it’s essential to understand how businesses work. A business degree is helpful, and an MBA might be even better. You need the ability to evaluate a business’ finances and determine what products and services might be a good fit. You also need to understand the mechanics of loans and when it makes sense for a business to take on debt. Sales skills are increasingly important for business bankers. Banks and credit unions need revenue from active businesses, and it may be your job to grow and retain business clients.
Investment Banks
Investment banks help businesses raise money in financial markets, and they may help coordinate mergers and acquisitions.6 Becoming an investment banker is a demanding (and sometimes competitive) endeavor that requires serious commitment. These banks typically hire high achievers who thrive in high-pressure environments.
Life of an Investment Banker
Investment banks are traditionally most common in major metropolitan areas (New York City, for example) where potential clients are nearby. To work for the largest investment banks, plan to devote much of your waking life to your career. You need to arrange financing deals and complicated transactions with sophisticated counterparts. And you may need to get everything done quickly.
Analytical Skills
You need to have strong spreadsheet and analytical skills, and to advance at most firms, you may need graduate degrees and designations. For example, a master’s degree in finance or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is common with investment bankers.3
The career of an investment banker is extremely demanding, but successful bankers have the potential to earn high salaries and bonuses.