Bank Tellers

Career summary

Bank tellers may also be called customer service representatives, member services representatives, and account representatives.

#Added alternate title 2/26/14 from article, "Tellers: They're not what you think," Puget Sound Business Journal, Jan. 10-16, 2014. cj

#4/3/19 lh

Bank tellers carry out routine banking tasks. They cash checks and accept deposits and payments. They handle withdrawals and sometimes prepare cashier's checks for customers. They sell products, such as traveler's checks or savings bonds. Tellers give information and answer questions about accounts or services. Some tellers inform customers about foreign currency rules and exchange rates.

Before they start their shift, bank tellers receive an amount of cash for their drawer. They must carefully count the money during each transaction to avoid errors. In addition, they must confirm that amounts written on checks or withdrawal slips match the amounts paid out. At the end of their shift, tellers count their cash on hand and sort checks and deposit slips. The accounts must balance exactly. Some tellers also balance deposits and withdrawals to ATMs.

Tellers may suggest services to customers. For example, they might inform a customer with a large savings account about new interest rates for certificates of deposit. If customers are interested, tellers refer them to service representatives. Some tellers are trained to process the paperwork for these services.

Head tellers prepare work schedules for other tellers. They count out the cash from the vault for each teller's cash drawer, and make sure the amount in the vault is correct. In addition, they may oversee shipments of cash to and from the Federal Reserve Bank.

Related careers

This career is part of the Finance cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bill and Account Collectors
• Billing Clerks
• Brokerage Clerks
• Cashiers
• Credit Checkers and Authorizers
• Customer Service Representatives
• General Office Clerks
• Hotel Desk Clerks
• Insurance Policy and Claims Clerks
• Interviewing Clerks
• License Clerks
• Loan Clerks
• Loan Officers
• New Accounts Clerks
• Receptionists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to bank tellers.

• Gather and process information needed to open new customer accounts and services.
• Order and receive daily amounts of cash and traveler's checks.
• Cash or deposit checks after verifying signatures, amounts, and accuracy.
• Count and organize bills, coins, and checks. Do this by hand or by machine.
• Use computers, calculators, and adding machines to make calculations, track accounts, and give receipts.
• Process paperwork for certificates of deposit, cashier's checks, and traveler's checks.
• Receive loan, house, and utility bill payments. Verify payment dates and amounts due.
• Explain and sell products such as bonds or traveler's checks to customers.
• Identify and solve problems with customers' accounts.
• Order bank checks and cards for customers.
• Compute fees, interest, and service charges. Write letters to customers.
• Give information to customers about foreign currency rules and exchange rates.
• Count and verify vault and armored car deposit amounts.
• Ensure cash and check balances are correct in cash drawer at end of shift.

Common work activities

Bank tellers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Use computers
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Process information
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Analyze data or information
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Document and record information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Assist and care for others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Schedule work and activities
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, bank tellers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Interact constantly with customers and coworkers.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of others when supervising other tellers.
• Communicate daily by telephone.
• Write e-mails daily.
• Must work well with a team of coworkers.

Physical work conditions

• Mostly work indoors.
• May work in non-traditional bank settings, such as branches in grocery stores.
• Work within two feet of customers during banking transactions.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work and complete all details. Errors could cost the bank or customers money.
• Repeat the same mental tasks, such as counting money.
• Meet strict deadlines daily.
• Can make some decisions and set some tasks without consulting a supervisor.
• Must be able to work on a team.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time. Banks often hire part-time tellers for busy periods, such as lunch hours or Saturday mornings.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.

Physical demands

Bank tellers frequently:

• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for bank tellers to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for bank tellers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

Skills and abilities

Bank tellers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Data Entry and Processing
• Finance
• Office Support

Training

To work as a bank teller, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. Knowledge of a language other than English can be helpful in banks that have clients or visitors from other countries.

On-the-job training

You generally learn skills on the job and during brief training programs after you are hired. Training usually lasts one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• Computer Fundamentals
• Foreign Language
• Personal Finance

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Banks usually prefer applicants who have sales and cash-handling experience. In large cities, employers may seek tellers who can speak another language. In general, banks expect tellers to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Taking business or banking classes offered by community colleges could help applicants get hired for their first teller job.

Employers prefer applicants who have good math and communication skills. Tellers must enjoy working with people and be patient and tactful with customers. They must also be precise in their work.

Applicants must also be bondable.

Tips

Competition for entry positions is keen. However, those with an outgoing manner, ability to learn quickly, and relevant experience will do best.

Work on customer service skills; dealing with the public can be very difficult and it takes skill to be successful. Banks want tellers who can work with others, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Bank teller certification offered by the American Bankers Association (listed in the Other Resources section) may increase your chances of being hired.

#AIB still offers Bank Teller certification, 2/10/10, 2/14/12, 2/6/14 & 2/29/16 cj. Changed reference from American Institute of Banking to American Bankers Assn 2/7/18, which offers this certification (ABA Bank Teller), cj.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Business attire is also required.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Tellers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

In general, wages are higher for tellers who have more responsibilities. Experience and length of service also affect wages. In addition, large banks in large cities often pay slightly higher wages. Some banks offer incentive pay that rewards tellers for persuading customers to try new banking products.

Full-time bank tellers usually receive benefits, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. However, part-time tellers rarely receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Banks, savings institutions, and credit unions

National outlook

Job growth is expected to decline for bank tellers. Many customers use ATMs and direct deposit for paychecks and benefit checks. This has reduced the need for bank tellers. In addition, electronic and mobile banking is becoming very common. Finally, many bank customers can call a 24-hour telephone center. Phone centers handle a wider variety of transactions than tellers, such as applications for loans and credit cards.

Many people leave this job because the pay is low and the majority of the jobs are part time. As a result, job prospects will be excellent due to the need to replace workers who leave the occupation or retire.

Other resources

American Bankers Association 
1120 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.226.5377
202.663.5000

Washington Bankers Association 
1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2150
Seattle, WA 98101
206.447.1700

References

Career cluster

• Finance

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Tellers (43-3071.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Coupon Clerk (219.462-010) 
• Foreign Banknote Teller-trader (211.362-014) 
• Teller (211.362-018) 
• Teller, Vault (211.382-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Enterprising/Realistic

COPSystem

• Clerical