Bank Teller Duties

Bank tellers are employed by banks, credit unions and financial institutions and handle more financial transactions than anyone else in their company. In many cases, they are a patron's first or only point of contact when conducting financial business, making customer service skills a must. Numerical aptitude and accuracy, honesty and problem solving abilities are also essential to competent job performance

Product Information

• Bank tellers promote good money management by providing customers with information and literature about financial products and services. These may include overdraft protection, investment programs and savings incentive plans being offered by their employer. Financial institutions often expect their tellers to initiate informative conversations with customers because tellers are the primary and most familiar person many clients deal with.
  

Customer Service

• Interacting with the general public is a constant for all tellers and requires a congenial attitude, good listening and communication, patience and problem-solving skills. Many account problems can be rectified by the teller and irate situations diffused without the customer seeking resolution from a manager.
  

Currency Management

• Tellers begin each shift by receiving and counting all operating cash. Transactions are promptly recorded and processed in accordance to company procedure throughout the day. At the end of each shift, tellers balance all currency, checks and cash in their cash drawers.
  

Tips

• Though some college graduates accept teller positions as an entry point into the banking industry, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to work as a bank teller. On-the-job training is usually provided, but many institutions prefer tellers have computer aptitude relevant to the position as well as some experience from a clerical, administrative, customer service, sales or cash handling background. Some job aspirants take courses through vocational, community, technical or online schools to earn a "Certificate of Completion" in banking. While most institutions do not require this certification, it may enhance financial and customer service skills and give a candidate an edge when applying for positions.