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Retail banker

Retail bankers are employed by major clearing banks to undertake the strategic and day-to-day management of their branches.

There are more than 12,000 bank branches within the UK.

Retail banker job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

recruiting, training, supervising and appraising banking staff
discussing the financial requirements of, and providing financial advice to personal and business clients
assessing and reviewing financial circumstances
forging and maintaining good links with the local community
authorising and evaluating overdrafts and loans
developing a network of local business contacts
promoting the bank's services
problem solving
planning
writing reports
managing budgets
maintaining statistical and financial records
dealing with complaints.

There are excellent promotional prospects via moves to larger branches or by specialising.

Typical employers of retail bankers

Retail bankers are typically employed by large banking organisations, although some are now employed by online banks and even in supermarkets. Most opportunities occur in major UK and international cities.

Vacancies are advertised by careers services, online and in national newspapers, Business Week, The Financial Times, The London Financial News, The London Evening Standard, Chartered Banker, The Economist, The Banker and The Scottish Banker. Applications should be made as early in the academic year as possible.

Qualifications and training required

Retail banking is a popular career choice and graduate vacancies are highly sought after. An honours degree (minimum 2.2) in any subject is necessary for entry at managerial level. Qualifications in law, business studies, management, mathematics and economics can be advantageous.

Relevant experience gained via job shadowing, vacation work and placements in any business area can also be helpful, although not essential. Candidates must be free from bankruptcy and criminal records.