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Banker Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated January 17, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Banker interview questions and answers.

  1. Why did you apply for this position with our financial institution? See answer
  2. What are the essential skills of a proficient banker? See answer
  3. How do you know which products are the best fit for a client? See answer
  4. How has your education prepared you for a banking position? See answer
  5. What is your experience with helping clients create an investment portfolio? See answer
  6. Describe a time you had a client upset about their banking fees. See answer
  7. What are your long-term career goals as a banker? See answer
  8. A suspicious person approaches you requesting to cash a cheque. How do you handle the situation? See answer
  9. How do you create professional relationships within a bank branch? See answer
  10. How do you develop your professional skills as a banker? See answer
  11. How do you encourage client loyalty? See answer
  12. Describe what creating a positive customer experience means to you as a banker. See answer
  13. How do you know when you’ve provided a positive customer experience as a banker?
  14. Describe a time when a client wanted to make a poor financial decision. What did you do?
  15. How do you determine a client’s needs during their first point of contact?
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Hire your next Banker today.

Post a job

Hire your next Banker today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Banker Interview Questions and Answers

How do you know when you've provided a positive customer experience as a banker?

A successful banker acts as a representative of the company they work for. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's awareness of how to provide a positive customer experience. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in creating a positive experience for every customer
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust
  • Ability to treat all customers with respect and understanding
Example:

"I know that I've provided a positive customer experience when my client leaves the bank happy because I've been able to fulfill their needs. Regardless of what they're in the bank for, it's my responsibility to help them achieve their financial goals."

Why did you apply for this position with our financial institution?

This question uncovers the candidate's motivation for applying for the job opportunity. It also provides insight into the research they conducted before the interview about your organization. What to look for in an answer:

  • Commitment to a career in the banking industry
  • Long-term career goals with your institution
  • Research about your organization and enthusiasm for the role
Example:

"I have several friends who work for your organization at different locations. They all speak highly of the company culture and approach to customer service. I also understand that there is an opportunity for long-term growth within the organizational structure."

What are the essential skills of a proficient banker?

A proficient banker understands the full scope of duties and responsibilities in the position. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's awareness and opinion of the essential skills for success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of a banker's duties and responsibilities
  • Interest in continuing to develop their professional skills
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to determine the essential skills
Example:

"I think a successful banker's essential skills are financial understanding, communication skills, and customer service. Financial understanding is key to recommending the best product for each situation. Communication skills are essential to understanding your customer's needs. And customer service is important to build a loyal clientele."

How do you know which products are the best fit for a client?

A banker needs to make appropriate product and service recommendations to customers. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to conduct a needs analysis with a client effectively. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to ask crucial questions and discuss a client's needs and financial goals
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to determine the best product or service recommendations
  • Interest in learning about company-specific products and services
Example:

"I feel it's important to spend time speaking with a customer to understand their financial objectives and needs before recommending a product. I ask many questions to get a clear picture of what they're looking for, and then I recommend one or several options for them."

How has your education prepared you for a banking position?

Depending on your company, you may require a banker to have completed post-secondary training. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's academic background and ability to implement their knowledge within their position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Completion of company-specific educational requirements, as needed
  • Ability to adapt knowledge to benefit the current situation
  • Critical thinking skills to select appropriate knowledge to implement
Example:

"After completing my bachelor's degree in economics, I was able to immediately use much of what I learned in school to help me in my career. For example, I have a solid foundation in financial understanding, risk management, and analyzing mutual funds and other investments."

What is your experience with helping clients create an investment portfolio?

A banker needs to assist clients with investment strategies and recommend products. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's level of experience with investing as a banker, along with any necessary qualifications. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational knowledge of investment best practices
  • Completion of investment training, as required by each province or territory
  • Interest in learning about investment strategies and products
Example:

"I have minimal experience with helping clients create an investment portfolio, but I'm currently enrolled in the program to further my education and receive the necessary certification in Ontario. I do have an in-depth understanding of registered retirement savings plans, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds."

Describe a time you had a client upset about their banking fees.

A competent banker must handle customer complaints as part of their position. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to dealing with upset clients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remain calm and composed when handling conflict
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving ability to develop solutions
  • Interest in providing an excellent experience to all clients
Example:

"Occasionally, a client becomes upset about their monthly bank fees. It's typically because no one explained the criteria are for their plan, or they didn't understand. When this happens, I sit down with the customer and go over their account contract. I'll ask lots of questions to determine if a better plan is more suitable. And then, I..."

What are your long-term career goals as a banker?

A successful banker has long-term goals and a vision of their professional future. The purpose of the question is to determine the candidate's plans and how that fits in with your company and position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in professional development opportunities
  • Ambition and desire to grow with your organization
  • Ability to set long-term goals and objectives
Example:

"My long-term goal is to become a branch manager for a local bank like this one. I want to stay within the community and build on the relationships I develop as a banker. I look forward to honing my skills and leading a team of other professionals."

A suspicious person approaches you requesting to cash a cheque. How do you handle the situation?

A banker must treat all clients with respect while also maintaining the safety of the bank and its employees and customers. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to handling a potentially dangerous or fraudulent situation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to follow company policies
  • Communication skills to speak with the person politely and gather information
  • Ability to remain calm and composed during suspicious circumstances
Example:

"I'd respond to the customer in a friendly manner while staying alert. I'd follow all company policies regarding cheque cashing procedures and analyze it closely. I'd ask for identification, and if I couldn't confirm that the cheque belonged to that customer, I'd have to turn them away politely."

Describe a time when a client wanted to make an unwise financial decision. What did you do?

A banker must provide solid financial advice and keep their client's best interest at the forefront of their work. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's approach to advising clients with unreasonable expectations or unsound financial requests. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational knowledge of investment best practices
  • Interest in conducting a thorough financial needs analysis
  • Ability to provide professional and trustworthy advice to clients
Example:

"I had a client once who insisted on investing the majority of their savings into an unstable mutual fund. I sat down with the client and completed a risk tolerance assessment explaining various investing and risk profiles. After educating the client further about their request, they agreed they didn't want to proceed and made a different decision that was a much lower risk for them."

How do you create professional relationships within a bank branch?

A successful banker creates strong professional relationships within the branch and overall company. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's ability to create and develop working partnerships with other colleagues. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in networking with others in the company and financial industry
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with coworkers
  • Ability to contribute to a healthy corporate culture and team environment
Example:

"When I first start in a position, I introduce myself to everyone within the location. I like to meet the team personally and get to know who everyone is and their role. I enjoy networking and spending my lunch breaks getting to know my colleagues."

How do you develop your professional skills as a banker?

A competent banker knows that continuous learning is key to long-term success. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's interest in participating in professional development. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in taking part in professional development opportunities
  • Ability to implement new knowledge and skills into their position
  • Ability to gather further information and ideas from others
Example:

"I believe in lifelong learning and am dedicated to continuing my professional development at every opportunity. I spend time with a networking group that offers monthly guest speakers from the financial industry. I also stay up to date on investment strategies and upcoming trends through several online groups, magazines, and financial podcasts."

How do you determine a client's needs during their first point of contact?

A banker must quickly assess why a client is at the location and assist them accordingly. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to help a customer efficiently and effectively. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to assess a client's needs quickly when they arrive
  • Understanding of the various services the location offers to best serve the customer
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service to all clients
Example:

"When a client first comes into the bank, I greet them with a smile, eye contact, and warm hello. I ask what brought them in today, and ask how I can help. I use active listening skills and repeat their request in other terms to ensure I've understood correctly. From their response, I'll then assist or direct them to the appropriate professional."

How do you encourage client loyalty?

A successful banker must create a relationship with the clients they serve, encouraging loyalty. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's approach to building client retention and long-term commitment. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with clients
  • Ability to understand a client's needs and values
  • Interest in providing exceptional service to all customers
Example:

"My first approach to client loyalty is to treat each client as a VIP. I get to know them personally and like to go the extra mile, such as sending a birthday or anniversary card. Providing amazing customer service and helping them make sound financial decisions creates long-term loyalty."

Describe what creating a positive customer experience means to you as a banker.

A banker must provide a positive experience for every client, even during difficult situations. This question determines how the candidate defines customer service within their position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in treating all clients with dignity and respect
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and professional relationships
  • Ability to exceed a customer's expectations
Example:

"Creating a positive customer experience as a banker means truly listening to your client's needs. I strive to provide customers with tailored, informed financial advice. However, I always respect their personal financial choices. I put their needs and interests first and look out for their financial wellbeing."

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