Banking customer service adviser

Banking customer service advisers provide a face-to-face service in banks and building societies.


What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You will:

  • process payments and withdrawals
  • set up and maintain customers' accounts
  • deal with calls, emails and face-to-face enquiries
  • promote and sell financial products and services to customers
  • use the IT system to update account details
  • do general administration tasks
  • operate UK and overseas currency tills
  • help customers who can, to self-serve in the branch using digital apps

Working environment

You could work in a bank or in a contact centre.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to specialist customer service and advice roles, or into management.

You might also be able to apply your customer service skills in corporate or investment banking.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • administration skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Taking a college course like a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Customer Service could help you to develop skills for this role.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

You can apply to a bank or building society to do a Customer Services Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take around 1 year to complete. They combine on-the-job training and time spent learning about financial products and banking services.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Entry requirements vary between employers if you want to apply directly.

You may find it useful to have 4 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.

Some employers may ask you to pass selection tests when you apply.

Career tips

Customer service, cash handling and computing skills will be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in finance from the Walbrook Institute London.


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