In order to be a revered and skillful banker, there are some qualities you must possess. These qualities will stand you out of the crowd. The digital revolution has dramatically changed the banking industry. Banks no longer just take deposits and offer CDs and mortgages; they have morphed into financial institutions that offer a plethora of financial products and services ranging from credit cards to business loans to retirement accounts. The face of the banking industry has also evolved (Browne, 2019). In this piece, I will peruse some of the qualities you need to possess as a banker so as to be continually relevant in this contemporary age. Let’s get the ball rolling:
A banker must be punctual at all times. Though it may seem very obvious to most of you, but it is also the most critical factor in becoming a successful banker. Being punctual is not only exclusive to banking but to all other sectors as well. Punctuality shows to your colleagues as well as your bosses that you are dedicated to your job at your workplace (Nayak, 2016). Punctuality is the soul of business. No matter how archaic this point might appear, I want you to know that it is vital to your success.
A banker must be adaptable and flexible. A growing number of recruiters are focusing on the adaptability and flexibility of the candidate while selecting from a group of prospects for a job. Adaptability and flexibility mainly involve successfully adapting to changing situations and environment. Quick thinking is a crucial thing when responding to sudden changes in circumstances. Anticipating the changes is also considered a plus point (Nayak, 2016). There is no recruiter who is happy to bring in a very rigid person who doesn’t yield to corrections. If you really desire success as a banker, you must envisage changes, adequately prepare for them and be at the helms of affairs at all times.
You must have passion for numbers. The world of finance turns on numbers. Whether it’s calculating interest rates, assessing the value of investments or preparing new loans, they make up most of what bankers do on a daily basis. If math has never been your strong suit in school, you might have a very hard time adjusting to the typical demands of a banker’s to-do list. That’s not to say that you need to be a master statistician to get started. If you like working with numbers and take an active interest in finance, a proper education and on-the-job training will help you refine the skills you need to build a rewarding career in the banking sector (BFS, 2019). Calculation is indispensable to being successful in the sector. Anytime you see numbers, something must surge within you. This means you are really into the system.
You must preserve your integrity. Bankers are pretty important people. From providing financial advice to overseeing large-scale transfers and processing loan applications, they handle a variety of sensitive transactions that have a real impact on their clients’ everyday lives. With so much power comes great responsibility. In the wake of the financial crisis, clients are especially wary about putting their money and future stability into someone else’s hands. As a banker, it’s your job to show that you’re trustworthy, reliable and accountable enough to keep their best interests in mind at all times (BSF, 2019). Let me be very plain in this respect: once your integrity is put to doubt, nobody will be willing to relate with you. Integrity is an indispensable virtue to every banker that desires true success. You must live above board at all times and be disciplined.
You have to imbibe humility. One of the most neglected yet important traits is humility. Being humble requires a lot of other things as well. One should be open to the opinion of others. One should also understand and act on the fulfillment of the needs of others. One should admit one’s own mistakes. One should accept ambiguity. One should self-reflect from time to time. One should allow people to do their jobs (Nayak, 2016). Humility is a virtue that many people cherish in others but find very difficult to imbibe. Being humble means giving others free room to express themselves. No matter how hard and difficult things look like, learn to tolerate others and always give them a listening ear. This might sound impossible but the gain at the end will vindicate you.
You must maintain an engaging and friendly personality. While tellers take walk-ins for simple transactions like money orders, withdrawals and deposits, bankers handle more complex and ongoing tasks like maintaining loans and long-term accounts. That translates to a lot of one-on-one time with people who may at times be nervous, excited, rushed, angry or confused. Whatever the situation may be – and it can change quickly depending on who needs help next – great bankers always know how to make every client feel more comfortable and confident. Their customer service skills are expected to be on par with their positions as first-line representatives of their employers (BFS, 2019). How vast you are in being friendly with clients determines the gain your company will make. Everybody reacts positively to love. When you show clients love and make them understand that you feel what they are going through per time, they will ordinarily feel comfortable and move closer to you.
Pay attention to details. Mistakes can happen in any profession. The difference in banking is that one big error can cause devastating real-life consequences, among them financial losses and identity theft. Since no one can possibly be perfect all the time, there are safeguards in place to catch potential problems, but they’re more like emergency brakes than tools you can use every day. Responsible for managing a large number of high-profile accounts at any given time, bankers are held to a higher standard than other employees. To stay on track, they need to have a great eye for detail and be able to instantly spot inconsistencies (BFS, 2019).
References
BFS (2019). 5 Attributes Of A Successful Banker. Retrieved from http://www.bestfinanceschools.net/lists/5-attributes-successful-banker/
Browne, C (2019). What Are The Qualities Of A Banker? Retrieved from https://work.chron.com/qualities-banker-13697.html
Nayak, S (2016). 10 Must Have Qualities For A Banker. Retrieved from http://dev.bq.training/blog/10-must-have-qualities-for-a-banker/