Commercial bank careers range from credit analyst to branch manager. Jobs and careers available in commercial banks deal directly with loans, credit, customer service and investments. There are many opportunities to use business, marketing, critical thinking and communication skills in a commercial banking career.
A branch manager is one of the types of commercial bank careers. Managers oversee one of the bank's branches or locations. They usually get their start in a lower-level position, such as a teller. Branch managers are responsible for operations management, including supervising employees, new account acquisition, building customer relationships, originating loans and deposits. Advancement beyond a single branch location is possible since some branch managers go on to become district managers that oversee several locations or market areas.
Personal bankers, financial consultants, customer service and teller positions are typically available at branch locations. These are lower-level or entry-level positions that deal directly with the public, which necessitates customer service and listening skills. Since these positions handle daily bank transactions, including deposits and withdrawals, a basic aptitude with numbers and accounting is also essential. Job duties may also involve cross-selling and additional product recommendations.
Credit analysts are another option in commercial bank careers. These positions are primarily entry-level and involve processing applications for credit. Analysts also help determine the creditworthiness of businesses and individuals that request funds. They may interact with a variety of internal and external bank personnel in order to push potential transactions through the bank's pipeline.
A third option in commercial bank careers is that of the loan officer. Individuals in these positions help secure loans for businesses and consumers. This is primarily a sales position, but one that does have future management potential.
Mortgage bankers are another of the commercial bank careers. These positions are closely related to loan officer jobs. Instead of being responsible for selling the loan, however, mortgage bankers complete a lot of the follow-up work by working directly with lenders, consumers and businesses trying to secure a loan. Mortgage bankers may gather and verify additional application information, order real estate appraisals, and work closely with underwriters to approve requested loans.
Trust officers deal primarily with investments. These securities may include individual retirement plans, certificates of deposit, estates, and wills. Large corporations may work with trust officers when dealing with pension funds or 401(k) plans. Officers may be involved in recommending bank products to current and potential investors.