Bank Tellers

Employed in practically every type of banking facility available, bank tellers maintain the most customer interaction of all associates, since they are often the first person a client comes into contact with in a banking facility.  Tellers may complete a number of tasks within a typical day, but the most common tasks include savings deposits or withdrawals, check cashing, payment collecting, business referrals, cash advances, and official check issuances.  Throughout the day, candidates may also be required to process transactions received by mail in addition to their daily responsibilities.  To complete their tasks, associates are given drawers containing a specified amount of money that may be used to complete each transaction.  Before and after each shift, tellers must count funds to ensure accurate receipt and dispersal. 

Candidates are expected to be highly organized and detail oriented.  To ensure accurate records are maintained, tellers have tasks they must perform for every transaction completed during their shift.  When a customer is cashing a check, tellers first verify the bank name and date listed on the document.  Once this information is confirmed, the teller will then be required to validate the identification of the cash recipient as well as the validity of the document.  They then compare written amounts to numeric amounts in order to verify uniformity and confirm necessary accounts to ensure they are available to cover the dispersal of funds.  Finally, professionals are required to carefully count funds to guarantee customers receive proper amounts.  It is pertinent that tellers maintain accurate records of all transactions. 

The general requirement for entrance into these careers is a high school education.  Due to the amount of customer interaction, it is integral for all candidates to be pleasant, possess excellent communication skills, and enjoy working with the public.  Associates beginning in these careers are commonly provided with either a formal education or on the job training.  Training is designed to cover the duties associated with bank teller jobs, as well as basic clerical procedures or security measures.  While little education is required for these positions, candidates wishing to further their banking career may endure promotions in response to continuing education and experience.  Licensure may be necessary for those interested in selling insurance policies offered by the company. 

Bank teller positions offer professionals a number of comforts.  Work is primarily completed within a well lit and adequately equipped office, but professionals must endure a number of repetitive duties and stand in one small area for an extended period of time.  Tellers generally work standard daytime hours, but the majority of associates are employed as part time professionals.  As banking facilities continually move into grocery stores and shopping malls, more professionals are required to work evening and/or weekend hours. 

Although experts are projecting an overall decline in banking occupations, associates will be necessary to replace tellers leaving the industry.  Generally associated with careers requiring little educational background and offering low pay, these jobs experience a relatively high turnover rate.  The banking industry will continue to adjust as mergers, technology, and overall employment needs change.  Tellers with the ability to complete a number of basic duties or seeking part time employment will experience higher prospects than other candidates.

For more information on a career as a bank teller, please visit the following sites:

• Algebra Lab
• Banking.com
• Impact Learning Systems
• Renton Technical College
• The Social Studies Help Center

If you are searching for a teller career, or are a banking institution looking to hire professionals, please visit iHireBanking.  We are a niche job board focusing only in banking positions and candidates.