New job in bank

[Bakedtattie55]

I’m starting a new job in a bank soon. I will be working a customer advisor. Can anyone advise what I should expect to do in the day to day? I currently work in a different industry so while excited to start something new. I’m not completely sure what to expect! I know people will obviously pay money in/ take money out but I’m interested to know what else I will be doing

In a branch.
Selling bank products.
Refilling ATM machines.
Emptying and processing night safe deposits.
Foreign exchange.
Restocking leaflets.
Ordering cash deliveries and organising cash collection with security carrier.

I don’t mean to be funny here but I am genuinely puzzled by this question. Did you not get a job description or ask this at interview?

I agree with Aprilx ... it's a bit concerning that you have so little idea about your role yet are being employed to be a 'customer advisor' ... is is Nat West?

Loads of selling , taking crap from customers and making sure you balance your cash summed it up for me sorry.

Another one a bit concerned you've managed to secure a role without knowing what it involves. I'm hoping you aren't actually giving financial advice tbh

As well as other PP have mentioned you will also be responsible for -

Taking a lot of heat from people expecting you to overturn head office decisions/processes. Demanding to see the manager for something you simply cannot do in branch. Always be firm in these scenarios but help when possible.

Dealing with LPOA and registering them. Dealing with COP orders. Dealing with the police for vulnerable customers. Dealing with plenty of homeless customers who never have a bank card or ID (fun fun!). Supporting customers with additional needs and complex Banking with carers.

Being fully scam/fraud aware and compliant.

Be fully up to date with the market, think a big business has gone bust and you'll have an influx of worried customers trying to get refunds etc. Up to date with savings rates and products that you'll sell. Also competitors products so customers can make an informed decision.

Showing customers how to use OLB and banking apps. Especially useful for certain things you can't do in branch.

Theres honestly so many more things. But varies where you work and the size of your branch 😄 I worked in a large busy bank and we were world's aware from a small village bank in what we done on a daily basis.

Just to add -

OP, you will never give financial advice as a customer advisor (like, work out someone's interest for best rates etc.) It's absolutely not your role, you will be made very aware of this. You will give all the facts on the range of accounts they offer and that's all, if a customer wants advice they can seek that externally (or internally if you have that available). Mostly, only Financial planners and MCs are able to advise after serious training. Nowadays there's plenty on online calculators customers can use for this. 🙂 And if you do land an advisory role you'll be thoroughly trained with exams.

Best of luck 🤞 you'll get the hang of it, it's honestly a role you keep learning in for a few years.

Thank you! I know I will not be giving financial advice, that’s absolutely not what I applied for so everyone that’s concerned can relax 😂
I suppose it’s like most jobs and you have a job description but I find they can be quite vague so wondered if anyone could share their experiences. My role will be focusing on customer enquiries at the desk, after training obviously. When I started my last job, the description was ok but then when I started the reality was a little different so I was looking for someone with similar experiences to advise on their typical day to day. Obviously during the hiring process the recruiters are always very positive and encouraging but I know in reality it can often be different. I appreciate the genuine advice and it has given me a few things I hadn’t considered - dealing with police and homeless people with no cards or address for example, this gives me good questions to ask during training.

You're welcome! Honestly, you'll get a lot of weird requests/behaviour. It's best to get used to that kind of thing because customers will assume you can do anything/everything they want on their terms. Far from the truth, you'll be heavily regulated on what you can and can't do. But never take it personally. Money is something sensitive to most people and it's understandable when people get upset. If I had a £ for every time I've heard "but why can't you just work out how much money I would make?!" Or "well, I've done it a thousand times before?!" (Usually not true 😆). I would just reconfirm my stance gently.

Best to knuckle down on the basics. Even after 5 years I would get enquiries that I was utterly stumped on. Just take your time, stick to the rules and you'll enjoy it. It's actually very interesting when you start picking it all up. Everyday you'll learn something new.

Hey. I am jobhunting atm. Applied to hmrc 2 days ago- failed their test. I always had a desire to work in banks. I read another post on mumsnet where people said working in a bank is sales based now and you will have targets to achieve. Is this true? Is it stressful working in a bank? What happens if you don't achieve their targets- do you get fired?

I hope you enjoy your new job - congratulations OP! You will get very good training, I'm sure. I used to work in a bank many years ago as a secretary and absolutely loved it. An amazing amount of variety and you get to know the customers. Obviously a customer service role in today's banking climate is slightly different. From my recent experience of them at our local branch they are absolutely invaluable and have great skills, both interpersonal and technical. If you go in on a Saturday morning, they are always hugely busy with a long queue of customers. People still greatly personal inter-action in my opinion. All the very best in your new job!!!