Tellers perform transactions in financial institutions.
If you've ever transacted business at a bank, you've probably interacted with a bank teller. Tellers greet customers at the bank's indoor counter or drive-through window and assist them in conducting their business. Tellers should be proficient at working with money and possess strong customer service skills. They must also be dependable and trustworthy because they are often required to handle large sums of money.
Function
Tellers handle a variety of transactions for customers who enter the bank. They may make deposits, facilitate withdrawals or provide information about a customer's account. They cash checks for customers such as payroll checks or checks received from government entities. Tellers may also perform additional services such as selling travelers' checks or savings bonds.
Misconceptions
Some may think that bank tellers work only during the hours that the bank is open to the public. However, tellers may be required to arrive well before the bank opens and stay well after closing time. Tellers must prepare for their day by verifying the amount of money in their drawers, and they must reconcile the amount remaining in their drawers with the record of the day's transactions at the end of their shift. Traditional "banker's hours" are also becoming a thing of the past, as many banks now feature branches in supermarkets that are open on evenings and weekends.
Benefits
Tellers perform a customer service role so they can benefit the bank by being attentive to customers' needs. A teller may be the only bank employee who the customer interacts with on a regular basis, so customers may base their decision whether to maintain their account or use additional services largely on how well they are treated by the tellers. Therefore, the better the customer service training provided by the bank, the more it can benefit in the long run.
Education/Training
To gain employment, bank tellers should have a high school diploma. Some recent college graduates accept a teller position as a way of gaining entry into the banking field. Tellers are usually trained to perform their duties while on the job, although the bank may provide additional training in customer service skills.
Potential
A bank teller is regarded as an entry-level employee, so the income is relatively low for the position. The median annual salary for bank tellers was $23,610 as of May, 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, tellers with college degrees who demonstrate proficiency at the job and strong leadership skills may quickly move into the more lucrative area of bank management.
Tags: customer service, bank tellers, additional services, bank teller, customer service skills