Bank manager
Run one or more branches of a high street bank, to help people and businesses protect and grow their money.
Also known as: branch manager, building society manager, credit union manager
About the job
What it's like
You'll run a branch of a bank or building society and lead the team of customer advisers. You'll develop strong relationships with customers and make sure you meet their needs.
You’ll make sure that people who come into the branch to manage their money get a good service. Your team would advise them about the best options for them and their circumstances.
You’ll attract new customers and increase the sales of your bank’s financial products and services. These could include savings schemes, mortgages, loans, insurance and credit cards.
Your tasks might include:
developing or overseeing business, sales and marketing plans
managing budgets and producing figures and reports
assessing the risks of lending money to customers
managing staff supervision and training
making sure that staff follow rules, policies and procedures, for example to prevent fraud
dealing with customer complaints
You might run one, or several, retail (high street) branches. You'll go to meetings and conferences of the banking group or other financial organisations.
You'll need a thorough understanding of financial product regulations and the legal aspects of banking. You'll be up to date with the latest information on cyber crime and fraud.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
getinto.finance – explore the wide variety of financial careers in Scotland, as well as the skills you'll need
Future Asset – find information and support if you're a high school girl who's interested in finance
Investment2020 – get tips, advice and information on getting into investment management
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Bank manager'
Select qualification level(s)
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Finance, law and professional services
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- negotiating
- making decisions
- delegating
- managing resources
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Accounting
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Business
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Business Management
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Economics
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Skills for Work: Financial Services
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Financial Services
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Applications of Mathematics
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are several routes to becoming a bank manager. Let’s look at some of them.
University
A degree could be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects such as:
Accounting
Business
Economics
Finance
Management
When you’ve completed your degree you could apply for ‘graduate training’ programmes that many banks offer. They may ask for a particular grade, such as a 2:1 honours degree.
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you get a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Accounting
Administration and Information Technology
Business
Financial Services
Use the My World of Work course search to find college courses.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Accounting
Business Administration
Management
Project Management
Providing Financial Services
Discover Modern Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry and you'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to university. You'll get a job, get paid and work towards a degree qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in an area such as Business Management.
Discover Graduate Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Work
You can become a bank manager through applying directly with an employer, if you have relevant experience. Or you could get an entry-level job in a bank and work your way up.
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for job vacancies.
Getting work experience is always useful in banking and finance. Many big banks offer work experience placements to school pupils and students, so if you're in full-time education you can ask your careers adviser about opportunities.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Bank manager'
