What’s on offer
There is a wide range of jobs available in banks and building societies, all integral to the operation. Here are just a few of them:
Administrative assistant
Fast and accurate processing of paperwork is essential to the smooth running of any bank or building society and provides an excellent background to the operational procedures. An administrative role gives a good working knowledge of branch procedure and can act as a springboard to more senior roles.
Key responsibilities
- Processing cheques paid in to the branch, dealing with the post and keeping up-to-date with the filing.
- Updating and maintaining computer records.
- Checking the accuracy of transactions.
- Fielding customer enquiries to ensure an efficient service.
| Starting salary | £9,000 to £10,500 |
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| Potential earnings | £15,000 for senior administrators |
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| Apprenticeships |
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| Promotional prospects |
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Customer service adviser/officer
Dealing direct with the public, either face to face or over the telephone, excellent people skills are needed, along with good product and technical knowledge. Duties include building relationships and customer rapport, dealing with enquiries, providing information on products and services and processing transactions.
Key responsibilities
- Delivering the organisation’s values direct to the customers.
- Advising on products, dealing with enquiries and solving problems.
- Gathering information to be passed on to financial advisers.
| Starting salary | £10,000 to £14,000 |
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| Potential earnings | Up to £25,000 for senior or specialist advisers |
| Entry requirements | None |
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| Apprenticeships |
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Quality assurance officer
One thing you can be sure of is that people don’t like mistakes made when it comes to their money. Accuracy and a methodical approach, as well as thorough technical know-how, are essential for this important position as part of these organisations’ commitment to customer service. Listening to calls and shadowing staff to ensure consistent and accurate service levels make this a challenging and responsible job.
Key responsibilities
- Ensuring that procedures are in place to prevent mistakes.
- Checking that these are being consistently adhered to.
- Identifying training needs.
- Monitoring service levels and outcomes.
| Starting salary | £25,000 |
|---|---|
| Potential earnings | £50,000 or more |
| Entry requirements | No minimum requirement |
| Professional qualifications |
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| Apprenticeships | Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships. Contact www.careerswales.com |
| Promotional prospects |
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Financial planning manager
The ever-increasing competition from supermarkets and insurance companies in the financial services market has made financial advice on loans, savings, investments and mortgages a key role. Using a wide knowledge of the products and services available to advise customers, this role partners job satisfaction with excellent financial rewards.
Key responsibilities
- Advising on which product will best serve a customer’s needs and circumstances, taking into consideration both the long and short term.
- Accurately grasping the main issues affecting the individual client.
- Matching product with requirement using good commercial awareness.
| Starting salary | £15,000 |
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| Potential earnings | £60,000 plus for highly experienced planners |
| Entry requirements | No minimum requirement though a good standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills is necessary |
| Professional qualifications |
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| Apprenticeships | Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships. Contact www.careerswales.com |
| Promotional prospects |
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Premier/High net worth clientele adviser
Responsible for the high-income personal clients in either one large or several smaller branches, this role is all about managing and advising particular customers on how their interests will be best served. It gives the opportunity to build close relationships with some of the branches’ high-profile customers.
Key responsibilities
- Advising clients with considerable funds on savings and investment.
- Building relationships with the client.
- Understanding the market and how the individual client’s interests will be best served
| Starting salary | £15,000 to £18,000 |
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| Potential earnings | £20,000 to £25,000 |
| Entry requirements | No minimum requirement though a good standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills is necessary |
| Professional qualifications |
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| Apprenticeships | Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships. Contact www.careerswales.com |
| Promotional prospects |
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Bank and building society managers
Retail banking is now seen as a potentially rewarding career for graduates interested in finance. Most of the larger organisations offer a fast-track training scheme to suitable candidates, which can lead to quick progression. Responsible for the whole branch, you’ll need to gain a wide knowledge of financial services and be prepared to deal direct with both business and personal customers.
Key responsibilities
- Managing and motivating your branch staff.
- Setting and meeting business objectives.
- Communicating ideas and values to staff and customers.
- Marketing the business and exploring new ways to reach customers.
| Starting salary | £21,000 to £25,000 |
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| Potential earnings | £32,000 (branch manager) to £50,000 for area or senior managers |
| Entry requirements | No minimum requirement though a good standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills is necessary. Many are graduates. |
| Professional qualifications |
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| Apprenticeships | Graduate training schemes are often available with larger organisations. |
| Promotional prospects |
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