Bank Worker
Kaimahi Whare Pūtea
This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles
Bank workers receive deposits and pay out money, keep records of transactions, issue receipts, and advise customers on bank services.
Pay
Bank workers with one to three years’ experience usually earn
Bank workers in management roles usually earn
Source: Hays, ‘2014 Hays Salary Guide’, 2014.
Job opportunities
Chances of getting a job as a bank worker are average – although the number of bank workers is falling, turnover is high.
Length of training
There are no specific training requirements.
Pay
Pay for bank workers varies depending on the type of work they do.
- Customer service consultants earn between $32,000 and $45,000 a year.
- Lending officers and personal bankers earn between $45,000 and $65,000.
- Bank supervisors and managers earn between $45,000 and $120,000.
What you will do
Bank workers may do some or all of the following:
- accept deposits and pay withdrawals
- open and close accounts for customers
- record all payments made to and from accounts and balance end-of-day banking records
- refer customers to appropriate financial services
- provide information on savings plans, loans, mortgages and investments
- assess and approve loan applications
- arrange insurance.
Skills and knowledge
Bank workers need to have:
- knowledge of the products and services offered by their bank
- ability to use specialised banking computer software
- cash-handling skills
- mathematical ability.
Working conditions
Bank workers:
- usually work regular business hours, but may need to work evenings and weekends or be on call
- generally work in bank branch offices, but may travel to see customers in their homes
- may travel nationally for training.
How to Enter the Job – Entry requirements
There are no specific education requirements to become a bank worker. However, customer service experience is essential.
Bank workers usually attend an intensive training course run by their bank when they are first employed.
To become a bank manager you need to have experience as a bank worker or in a non-bank management role.
Secondary education
NCEA Level 1 maths and English is preferred.
Personal requirements
Bank workers need to be:
- good at customer service
- able to work independently
- friendly, polite, approachable and helpful
- honest and reliable
- quick and methodical
- accurate, with an eye for detail.
Useful experience
Useful experience for bank workers includes:
- customer service
- retail and sales work
- work in a call centre
- experience in cash handling.
Job Opportunities – What are the chances of getting a job?
Turnover among bank workers is high because they often:
- progress to management or specialist roles
- move on to take up other higher-paid positions.
Customer service experience helps chances
Chances of finding work as a bank worker are better if you have:
- customer service experience
- cash-handling experience
- experience using technology.
Most bank workers based at registered banks
Most bank workers are employed by registered commercial banks. A small number of bank workers are employed by:
- credit unions
- building societies
- mortgage-lending companies
- finance companies.
