Marcus Marion, CMA™ Working in the banking sector is one of the most coveted careers. Being a broad industry, there are many opportunities available. Whether you are prospecting to become a manager or teller, working in a money lending institution offers lucrative jobs with many benefits.
With emerging technology like Artificial intelligence and cloud computing threatening to take over human jobs, a banking career is still valuable. Therefore, if you want to pursue banking as a profession, technology only complements people and will partially replace humans.
Joining the banking industry requires you to develop the right skills and experience. Considering it’s a wide industry, choosing your path is vital. This guide offers a thorough insight into banking job prospects and available opportunities.
Understanding Banking Professions
The banking profession entails any job that falls under the financial industry. It involves the management and smooth running of financial companies like banks, investment houses, lenders, and others; the main task of these firms is to manage individuals, companies, and group investments, money, and loans.
The broadness of the banking industry gives rise to many opportunities.
Is banking a good career? It is one of the biggest questions people ask when they want to join the industry. The finance industry is one of the largest in the world by revenue, indicating its essential role in the economy. It is also among the top employers showing that a banking career is still one of the best options.
Although the banking sector experiences turbulence due to various factors, it should not be a career deterrence. A serious financial crisis is rare and has not occurred since 2000 and slightly in 2008. Besides being employed by a bank or credit union, other independent well-paying jobs like financial consultancy exist.
Benefits of Pursuing a Banking Career
1. Large Opportunity Base
The industry is broad, making it generate many opportunities. Once you qualify as a banker, you can enjoy working in different positions in a bank. Depending on qualifications, you can work as a teller in a bank marketing department, human resources, or any other section. Working in different departments is one way to expose one’s skills and potential.
2. Career Training and Development
Working in a bank is a great thing to advance your career. Most banks help their workers grow their skills to better their customer service. These training and development sponsorships aim to let their staff gain more knowledge about long-time banking techniques. Also, you get to learn about the emerging issues in the banking industry.
3. Good Salary And Other Benefits
Working in a bank is enjoyable since you are dealing with money. To make it even more appealing, banks offer competitive salaries to their staff. Good remuneration offers motivation and improved services. Besides good wages, employees also get benefits like medical coverage, vacation, and discounted mortgages and loans.
4. Job Stability
Despite challenges like the financial crisis, banking jobs have remained relatively stable. Besides, once working in a bank, you can enjoy internal transfer instead of job termination during restructurings. In most cases, the job advertisement is done internally before sourcing an individual from outside. This means people working in banks enjoy a priority.
5. Defined Schedule
Most banks work at scheduled times. The opening and closing times are well defined, allowing one to plan their time effectively. Since a lot of bank work involves math and critical thinking, giving employees ample time to relax helps to maintain their performance.
Challenges of Banking Professions
Although the sector has many benefits, it also has some challenges.
1. Changing Technology
Technology has significantly affected the banking sector. The introduction of computers, AI, robots, and others is estimated to cut banking jobs by half in a decade.
2. Job Insecurity
Although every industry faces challenges, the financial sector can sometimes be unpredictable. A slight financial meltdown can lead to massive job loss or a lack of opportunities.
3. Strictness
The banking profession has stringent employment guidelines. Specifically, getting a job in some departments requires clearance from authorities. Anyone with past issues like fraud and other offenses can be denied a job regardless of their qualifications.
Banking Career Opportunities
Different types of jobs in banking industry are available for anyone willing to prospect. Some of these opportunities are summarized below.
1. Loan Officer
This person is in charge of loan matters in a financial institution. The position is crucial since the officer must possess knowledge of every loan available in the institution. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in finance, financial accounting, and related fields.
2. Investment Banking Analyst
The investment banking analyst is a person tasked with connecting business owners and banks. Normally, they analyze business financial health and assist in efficient finance management. To become an investment banking analyst, you need a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in business economics, accounting, or finance.
3. Internal Auditor
Internal auditors are crucial in any financial institution responsible for ensuring the bank complies with state laws and regulations. They provide so by regularly assessing procedures, spending, loan, and other activities. To be an auditor, the minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or accounting.
4. Underwriter
Underwriters are responsible for receiving, reviewing, and outlining loan and payment terms. They also draft contracts between banks and loans as well as work with other agencies involved in lending. The underwriter position requires a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, economics, finance, or business.
5. Asset Manager
An asset manager is an expert working with individual investors, banks, and other financial institutions. The primary role is reviewing the customer’s financial state, and also, they are responsible for monitoring the stock market and advising their customers accordingly. Besides, asset managers also conduct stock market research and also invest.
To be an asset manager, the minimum requirements are a Bachelor’s degree in economics, accounting, finance, or business. A Master’s degree is preferable for advanced operations.
6. Financial Analysts
Financial analysts are experts who work for banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and others; their roles are to analyze market trends and advise customers or institutions. A prospect should have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or finance or a Master’s in statistics.
7. Financial Advisor
These professionals are tasked with advising clients on behalf of a financial institution. It offers advice on financial goals and the best approach to achieving them. Prospects in this job should have a Bachelor’s degree in economics, business, finance, or business administration with excellent communication skills.
8. Investment Banker
The role of investment bankers is to advise customers on the best investment opportunities. They also assist in asset liquidation to reduce debt. This position requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in financial-related courses.
9. Credit Analyst
Credit analysts work for financial institutions in matters relating to lending. They review applicants’ credit scores and financial history and make recommendations. To be a credit analyst, you must possess a Bachelor’s degree in economics or finance and experience in other related fields.
10. Loan Processor
The main work of a loan processor is to review and review risks. They approve or deny loan applications based on the risk factors. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or economics.
11. Banker
The main task of a banker is to meet potential investors, individuals, and groups to help them get loans from financial institutions. They also offer consultation for investors for the best investment opportunities. A Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics is necessary for a prospect. Also, being a good communicator is an added advantage.
12. Bank Teller
Bank teller is one of the most popular jobs in the financial sector. Although it isn’t among the top paying jobs in banking, it’s one of the least demanding in terms of qualifications. The role of a teller is to help customers withdraw, deposit, make checks, move transactions, and other roles. Qualifications for a bank teller are a Diploma or GED and excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Requirements For Banking Professions
To enroll in any banking job, one needs to have strong skills related to the industry. This helps you cope with emerging and existing issues in the financial sector. Some of the primary skills you must possess include;
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Excellent communicator
Achieving Banking Career Goal
If you are wondering how to start a career in banking, here are the crucial steps to follow:
1. Get the Relevant Qualifications
The first step in achieving your banking career dream is obtaining the relevant qualifications. Depending on your area of specialization, there are different majors in business. Such selections include economics, business management, accounting, and related fields. Also, having experience in math and computer science is vital for some banking jobs.
2. Advance Your Educations
Advancing your education is important in improving your chances of getting a better job in the financial sector. You can start with a Bachelor’s degree which is the starting point for most banking jobs.
However, for the best job in banking, they need more experience, and earning a Master’s degree is one of the ways to land there. Some positions, like senior auditors, branch managers, and others, require higher qualifications.
3. Start with Entry-Level Jobs
Regardless of your qualifications, you need experience to climb the ladder. It’s, therefore, vital to start with entry-level jobs. The essence of this approach is to learn the real expertise to better the learned skills. Mostly, the entry-level is for Bachelor’s degree graduate students. Internships are also ideal for gaining practical experience and are highly encouraged.
4. Apply for a Banking Job
After you acquire a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and internships, it’s time to apply for a banking job. The higher the level of education, the more responsibilities you have. For a high chance of getting a job, it’s ideal to specialize and create a network.
Summary
The banking profession is one of the best options you can pursue. If you have strong problem-solving, communication, and analytic skills, it’s the best career for you. With great pay and a working environment, there is no reason why you should not enroll. Also, the industry still needs humans despite the technological advances in the financial sector.
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