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:
• Do you enjoy directing and supervising the work of others?
• Do you have a customer-centered approach to business activates?
• Do you have a thorough understanding of financial product regulations and the legal aspects of banking?
• Do you have the patience and stamina to meet the training, experience and education requirements?
• Do you enjoy the idea of working within a corporate structure?
• Do 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 bank’s 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 choose to get into this profession 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 You'll Likely Need
The educational requirements will likely 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.
General 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.
Typical 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
The licensing and certification requirements for working as 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 Employs Them?
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
Average 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 Canada (Alberta): According to the 2017 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working in the Banking/Investment Manager occupational group earn an average of $94,926 per year. Unfortunately, no similar statistics were available from reliable sources for other Canadian provinces or territories at the time of writing (June 12, 2019).
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 Be Successful
In order to enjoy performing the duties involved in this line of work, you'll need to have certain personality traits. Taking enjoyment from your job 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 You'll Need
To be effective in this profession, you'll 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 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
Current Job Opportunities
Our job board below has bank manager postings in your area, when available:
Similar Career Profiles in Our Database
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to this one, as they involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
• Investment Portfolio Manager
References
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of this profession:
Occupations in Alberta: “Banking/Investment Manager.” (February 20, 2017). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
Management: “Financial Manager.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
Banking and Financial Services: “Bank Manager.” (n.d.). Open Universities Australia website. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
Relevant Scholarships
Scholarships listed for majors that are relevant for working in this field 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!
Relevant Areas of Study
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point for becoming a bank manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
