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Banker: Job description and activities

Job description

A banker is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive customer relationships, planning and delivering effective sales strategies and monitoring the progress of new and existing financial products. Bankers may work as managers in high street branches, providing operational support on a day-to-day basis, or in more specialised posts in corporate or commercial departments at area, regional or head offices.

Banks operate in a fiercely competitive marketplace where change is common. Products and services must develop to satisfy the expectations and demands of customers. Working with staff and customers to achieve targets has become a major part of the role.

Typical work activities

Responsibilities and work activities may vary between retail and corporate and commercial banking. Most retail bankers work in high street branches, dealing with both private and corporate customers, while some work in regional or head offices. Bankers who work with commercial or corporate customers may be based in branches or may work from specialised area or regional offices.

Bankers with area and regional responsibilities adopt a strategic role and, while retaining overall accountability for service and product delivery, often delegate supervision of day-to-day operations to staff in branch outlets.

Responsibilities for both retail and corporate and commercial bankers may include:

• implementing the delivery of sales strategies and targets and motivating employees to meet and surpass these;
• establishing and maintaining effective relationships with new and existing customers, establishing their needs and advising on the suitability of services;
• visiting business customers and attending meetings and conferences with them and other professionals;
• managing and supporting staff and facilitating appropriate continuing professional development (CPD);
• communicating, implementing and monitoring compliance with corporate standards and procedures;
• processing data to produce accurate facts, figures and reports;
• evaluating new and renewal lending proposals, negotiating terms with customers and, where appropriate, submitting proposals to the credit department for approval;
• checking accounts and initiating action if they are overdrawn without arrangement or are in excess of agreed arrangements;
• assuming overall accountability for products and services, such as consumer lending, current account transactions, unsecured loans, overdrafts, credit cards and personal loans;
• networking with appropriate professionals;
• representing the bank within the wider community.

AGCAS

Written by Paul F Brown, University of St Andrews

Last updated:

June 2008

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