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Prash’s Answer
You can follow these steps to become a bank branch manager.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
You need to possess a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or a related major, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some employers may require a master's degree. Some universities offer a business administration degree that allows concentrations in areas such as accounting and finance, management and marketing, or information systems and operations management.
Step 2: Gain Banking Experience
Commercial banks offer different types of banking services including retail consumer banking, wholesale banking, corporate banking and institutional banking. Retail consumer banking is geared toward personal financial services for individuals and families and is the most familiar type of banking. Because banking experience is a key requirement, individuals at retail banks usually begin their careers as bank tellers, loan officers or mortgage officers before seeking advancement to assistant branch manager or branch manager positions.
Employers seek applicants with leadership and supervisory experience, a background in community involvement, good knowledge of state and federal banking regulations, an understanding of investment and loan products and excellent customer service skills. Budgeting, organizational and training skills were also desired.
Step 3: Seek Professional Credentials
While not required to work as a bank branch manager, earning a professional credential demonstrates your knowledge and skills in certain fields within banking. For example, an individual with a strong accounting background and qualified experience may consider becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Each state administers a CPA exam.
Another professional credential is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification. The CFP credential, offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, confirms your expertise in helping people solve their financial problems and meet their financial goals, which often include retirement planning.
Step 4: Consider a Graduate Degree
If you are seeking promotion, you may want pursue a master's degree in finance, economics or a related field of study. These programs allow you to focus on more theoretical studies and research in specializations such as financial analysis and management, risk management or economics. You may also learn about team management, data analysis, information systems management and strategic management.
A graduate degree may help you advance to positions like regional manager or regional vice president. A regional manager or vice president oversees a group of branch offices for a bank and serves as the executive in charge of growing assets for that group of branches.