Bank manager
Bank managers oversee the day-to-day operations of their branch, supervise staff and work to attract new customers.
Also known as: Building society manager, retail bank manager
- Starter salary£32,000 a year
- Experienced£80,000 a year
- Typical hours36 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a bank manager, you could:
- oversee the day-to-day running of your branch
- put into practice, business, marketing and sales plans
- monitor sales targets and budgets, and produce figures and reports
- assess lending risk
- promote financial products and services
- motivate staff to meet targets
- make sure that staff follow financial regulations
- develop relationships with the local community and businesses
- deal with customer complaints
Working environment
You could work in an office.
You may need to wear smart business clothes.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- business management skills
- knowledge of finances, economics and accounting
- customer service skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- excellent verbal communication skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a bank manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could study for a degree or postgraduate award before applying for a graduate management trainee scheme. Most degrees are acceptable, though you may have an advantage with a subject like:
- business management
- accounting
- economics
- finance
- law
- maths
It can help if you do a course which offers work experience opportunities, such as:
- taster days or work shadowing
- banking internship schemes
- a year in industry placement
Your university careers service can help you to find work experience opportunities.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You could apply to join a bank as an apprentice and train on the job for a management position.
Apprenticeships include:
- Financial Services Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Financial Services Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship
- Chartered Manager Level 6 Apprenticeship
If you want to work in commercial or investment banking you could do a Senior Investment and Commercial Banking Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start in banking in a customer service role and work your way up through training and promotion to assistant manager then manager.
You'll usually need a least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Some employers may ask for A levels or equivalent qualifications.
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs. You'll need qualifications and experience in financial services, sales, business development or customer service management.
Career path and progression
You could work towards Chartered Banker status through the Chartered Banker Institute. This could help broaden your career options at senior management level.
With experience, you could:
- take on responsibility for several branches in a region
- move into head office operations
- work with a bank's overseas division
- move into corporate or investment banking
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Chartered Banking Institute for professional development opportunities, industry news and to expand your network of contacts.
Guides for this industry
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