Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Banking & Finance

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

IBPS CLERK, IBPS PO, SBI CLERK, SBI PO

About Career 

As a banker you would generally be working in three different streams: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking and Investment Banking.

Retail Banking: As a retail banker, you will run and manage the daily functioning of a bank. You will provide services to your Bank’s customers and help them carry out financial transactions. Financial transactions can be made by cheque or cash. You will also help individual clients to take advantages of a range of Financial products and services like bank account opening, deposit and withdrawal of money, ATM, internet banking, e-Wallet, debit card, credit card, consumer loans, housing loans, personal loans, car loans, etc. You will also maintain the records of all transactions happening in the bank.

Corporate Banking: As a corporate banker, you will be working to provide all banking services to corporates and organisations. You would be responsible for helping corporate clients with financial products and services like current account opening, business loans, internet banking, working capital finance, foreign exchange, salary account, etc.

Investment Banking: As an investment banker, you would be working with individuals, corporate and government entities while providing them with financial advice about investments.

Key roles and Responsibilities

As a Banker, depending upon whether you work for large banking institutions or small town financial institutions, your duties and responsibilities will vary.

1. As a Teller, you will be responsible or accepting cash, cheque and other forms of payment from customers. You will also maintain the record of transactions and keep the bank informed about the demand for cash. You will also check if notes are fake or not.

2. Keep Records -Bankers record all the daily financial transactions they conduct. This duty involves reviewing documents, such as bank statements and loan application forms, every day.

3. Advice Clients - Bankers help clients to fulfil their financial needs. They do so by answering the financial questions asked by clients either during face-to-face meetings or phone conversations.

4. Gather Financial Information - Bankers need to gather pertinent financial information from both new and existing clients as it helps them to prepare accounts and loans.
Disburse Funds - Bankers need to accept deposits and disburse funds. They need to pay attention and accuracy while doing so.

5. If you are working as a loan officer, then you work as Liaison between banks and financial companies for property papers. You need to coordinate with lawyers in case of failure of any loan.

6. If you are working in forex (foreign exchange) then you will negotiate with clients to offer the best rates of foreign currency to rupee conversion. Like a client may receive dollars in his/her account, and you will offer them the best rates to convert dollars into rupees.

7. If you are working as an investment banker, then you will provide investment guidance to companies and individuals. Like, you will tell them to invest in shares of a company or mix investment in several companies’ shares. You will tell them about all kinds of investment possibilities and risks involved with each.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – UG in subject

After Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies, you can study for an undergraduate degree with any subjects. After graduation (with any subject as per scheme of studies) you may sit for a Bank Probationary Officers’ entrance examination for public sector banks.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Business Administration / Finance / Banking/ Bank Management Banking and Financial Services / Economics/ Commerce/ related subjects

After Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies, you can study for an undergraduate degree in Business Administration / Finance / Banking/ Bank Management Banking and Financial Services / Economics/ Commerce/ related subjects. Although any graduate can sit for Bank Probationary Officers’ entrance examinations for public sector banks, for jobs with private sector banks, subjects like Business Administration / Finance/ Banking / Bank Management /Banking and Financial Services / Economics /Commerce, etc. could be advantageous.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – UG with any subjects – PG Degree/Diploma in Management / Business Administration / Finance / Banking / Bank Management / Banking and Financial Services / Economics / Accountancy

​​​​​​​After Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies, you can study for an undergraduate degree with any subjects. You may then go for a master’s degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Management / Business Administration / Finance / Banking / Bank Management / Banking and Financial Services / Economics / Accountancy.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – CA / CMA / CS / CFA/ LL.B.

After Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies, and then qualify for Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost & Management Accountant (CMA), Company Secretary (CS) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams along with graduation or after graduation. Most people complete them after graduation. Also, you can complete 5 years integrated LL.B. course after 11-12. It is a five years course after Class 11-12 and completed as B.A. LL.B. / B.Sc. LL.B. / B.Com. LL.B. /B.B.A. LL.B.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – Work in a public or private sector bank – JAIIB - CAIIB

After Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies, you can work in public or private sector bank for some time. Then you can become a member of the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance and study towards becoming a JAIIB (Junior associate of Indian Institute of Banker). You need to complete stage by stage examinations for obtaining a JAIIB qualification. You will also need to be in the senior management position of a bank such as the position of Chief Manager or its equivalent. Later you can apply for CAIIB (Chartered Associate of Indian Institute of Banker). You need to have a minimum of 2 years of work experience post-CAIIB and also be at the position of at least a Deputy General Manager or equivalent.​​​​​​​

Required Qualification & Competencies 

Undergraduate studies after school:

1. To become Banker, you can study any subject at undergraduate level. However, you can opt for Business Administration / Finance / Banking/ Bank Management / Banking and Financial Services / Economics/ Commerce/ related subjects for advantageous start. 

2. You can also opt for a CA / CMA / CS / CFA.

3. You can also opt for 5 years integrated B.A. LL.B. / B.Sc. LL.B. / B.Com. LL.B. /B.B.A. LL.B.
UGC has recently recognised the CA/CS/ICWA Qualifications as equivalent to Postgraduate Degree.

Post Graduate studies:

4. As the career of Banking needs more knowledge of finance, marketing and sales, it is recommended to take a 2 years Degree or Diploma in Management / Business Administration / Finance / Banking / Bank Management / Banking and Financial Services / Economics / Accountancy.

5. You can also opt for specialised diploma course in Retail Banking, Investment Banking Financial Analyst etc. from banking institutes like Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, BSE, etc.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

You should have the following occupational interests:

1. Enterprising - You should have interests for Enterprising Occupations. Enterprising occupations involve taking initiatives, initiating actions, and planning to achieve goals, often business goals. These involve gathering resources and leading people to get things done. These require decision making, risk-taking and action orientation.

2. Conventional - You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.

3. Realistic - You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.

Following personality attributes are required:

1. You always or mostly prefer to stick within a routine or carry out routine and repetitive activities.

2. You are always practical or in most situations.

3. You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.

4. You are always or mostly a soft-hearted person.

You should have the following skills and knowledge:

1. Communication skills - You should possess excellent communication skills, as you may have to work on project teams with various departments.

2. Coordination - Skills in working together with other people to get things done.

3. Reading Comprehension - Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

4. Administration -  Knowledge of various administrative and operational functions in managing a business or an organisation such as general administration, facility management, front office management, back office management, etc.

5. Customer Service - Knowledge about how to provide customer services. This includes understanding customer needs, helping customers to use products and services, answering customer queries, handling customer complaints and grievances, and evaluating customer satisfaction.

6. English Language - Knowledge about English grammar, words, spelling, sentence construction, using English to communicate with others, reading in English, etc.

You should have the following aptitudes and abilities:

1. Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

2. Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3. Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4. Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

In public sector banks (banks owned by the Government of India) such as SBI, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, and Punjab National Bank, you can start your career as a Probationary Officer after your graduation and qualifying through a Bank PO competitive examination followed by an interview. Public sector banks also recruit Post Graduates in Business Administration / Management / Bank Management Economics / Commerce/ Agricultural Science as well as CAs, CMAs, CS, Lawyers, etc.

In private sector banks, you can join as an Executive Trainee after your graduation or as an Executive or Management Trainee after post-graduation. At the end of the training period, depending upon your qualifications and performance, you are placed in different departments in different roles.

Work Environment

We might see that bank closes by 4 PM for the general public, but banking does not stop. A banker does not work till 3-4 pm rather they continue the work post 4 PM also. Most of them over work with 10-12 hours of work being normal and even more at the year-end. Even public sector bank officers work very hard these days, and most of the days, they work late. Although most of the jobs and most of the time, bankers work out of the office and work with computers.

In retail banking, they might be in roles which are customer facing, but there are other roles also. In customer-facing roles, bankers work till the banking hours are over, depending on a bank’s branch timings. At head offices of banks, there are no banking hours.

For corporate banking customers too, there are no banking hours. Sales and business roles often involve a lot of out of office work although not much in public sector banks. Banking today is high pressure and high-stress job.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

Asset and Portfolio Manager/ Wealth Manager

Asset and Portfolio Managers/ Wealth Managers manage investment portfolios. Depending on the type of portfolio management job, they could work for individual clients or as part of a larger firm or financial institution. Portfolio means different kinds of investment options.

Financial Planner

Financial Planners oversee all related fiscal processes in a company. They work to expand business models that affect budgets, and company disbursements.

Commodity Analyst

Commodity Analysts develop, implement, and maintains a commodity inventory strategy that supports a company's supply chain. He/She also needs to evaluate market conditions to maintain inventory levels and control costs.

Retail Banker

Retail Bankers specialise in providing banking services to general consumers. They provide services related to savings accounts, mortgages, personal loans, home loans, debit cards and debit cards. They also help individual clients to take advantages of a range of Financial products and services like bank account opening, deposit and withdrawal of money, ATM, internet banking, e-Wallet, debit card, credit card, consumer loans, housing loans, personal loans, car loans, etc.

Corporate Banker

Corporate bankers specialise in providing all banking services to corporates and organisations. They are responsible for helping corporate clients with financial products and services like current account opening, business loans, internet banking, working capital finance, foreign exchange, etc.

Investment Banker

Investment bankers specialise in providing financial advice about investment to individuals, government, corporates, bodies, other banks, etc. They help them invest their money in the financial instrument like share, stocks, mutual funds, hedge funds, etc. to get the maximum benefit.

Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts specialise in evaluating the creditworthiness of a person, organisation or institution. They analyse total loans, total assets, loan repayment history of a person or organisation and accordingly giving the creditworthiness. They also help clients enhance their creditworthiness. Better creditworthiness means easier to get further loans/ money on credit.

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts specialise in advising clients/ employers where to buy or sell stocks based on their research. They take micro and macro factors into consideration while finding which sector, which company stocks would be purchased and which should be sold for a better return on money.

Equity & Securities Analyst

Equity & Securities Analysts are a type of Financial Analysts who specialises on the micro level of equity and security stocks research for purchasing or selling of stocks.
Securities Trader (include equities, options, futures, commodities and foreign exchange trading)
A security trader specialises in buying or selling stocks and other commodities at a stock exchange for a commission. They work for companies or individual clients.

Bancassurance Manager

Bancurrance Manager sells insurance to bank clients. They specialise in understanding insurance policies of their partner insurance company and then sell policies to bank clients.

Risk Manager

Risk Manager specialises in identifying operational risk, credit risk, market risk, foreign exchange risk, etc. in the financial market and they recommend to minimise the effect of risks.

Salary Offered  

At the entry level, banks will hire you as a PO after graduation. The starting salaries will be Rs. 68,000 - 72,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 20,000-30,000 in private bank. If you join in the management side after post-graduation, then you might start the career with Rs. 85,000 – 2, 50,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 35,000 – 2, 50,000 in Private Banks. The higher salaries are for premier B-Schools’ postgraduates.

At the junior level after 3-8 years of experience, you will be earning anywhere between Rs. 80,000 – 90,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 40,000 – 300,000 in private bank.
At the middle level of 8-12 years of work experience, your earning will rise to Rs. 1,20,000-1,60,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 80,000- 400,000 per month in a private bank.

At the senior level after 15+ years of work experience, your earning will be between Rs. 1,80,000 to 2,20,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 1,50,000 to 12,00,000 per month or even more in private bank.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Not Available

Work Activities 

1. As a Banker, you might be involved in various applied areas of Banking – these areas where different applications of Banking are used. In these areas, you might be involved in different activities such as:

2. Using computers for work - Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and process information; for writing.

3. Communicating with customers - Communicating with potential and existing customers of your organisation in writing, verbally or otherwise.

4. Analysis and interpretation of data and information - Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision making.

5. Selling - Communicating about products and services with potential customers; influencing customers' decisions to buy products and services; helping people to buy products and services.

6. Communicating with co-workers - Communicating with people in writing, verbally or otherwise inside your workplace and various other people who have professional relationships with your place of work including vendors, government officials, etc. or with people at large.

7. Calculating & Computing -  Calculating or computing using various mathematical formula and functions using computers or otherwise; doing financial or commercial calculations or computations.