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Bank Tellers

(D.O.T.  211.362, except -010; 211.382-010; and 219.462-010)

Nature of the Work

Most bank customers have contact with tellers.  Tellers generally
handle a wide range of banking transactions, such as cashing checks,
accepting deposits and loan payments, and processing withdrawals.
They sell savings bonds; accept payment for customers' utility
bills; receive deposits for special accounts; keep records and
perform the necessary paperwork for customer loans; process the
proliferating variety of certificates of deposit and money market
accounts; and sell travelers' checks.  Some tellers specialize in
handling foreign currencies or commercial or business accounts.

   Before cashing a check, the teller must verify the date, bank name,
and identity of the person to receive payment, and see that the
document is legal tender, that written and numerical amounts agree,
and that the account has sufficient funds to cover the check.  The
teller must carefully count out the cash to avoid errors.  Sometimes
a customer withdraws money in the form of a cashier's check, which
the teller prepares and verifies.  When accepting a deposit, the
teller checks the accuracy of the deposit slip and processes the
transaction.  Tellers may use machines to calculate and record
transactions and to prepare documents, such as receipts and drafts.
In some banks, they type or write deposit receipts and passbook
entries by hand, but this is uncommon.  In most banks, tellers use
computer terminals to record deposits and withdrawals.  Some banks
use very sophisticated computer systems that give tellers quick
access to detailed information on customer accounts.  Tellers may
use this information to tailor their services to fit the customer's
needs, or recommend an appropriate bank product or service.

   Tellers' duties begin before and continue after banking hours.  They
begin the day by receiving and counting an amount of working cash
for their drawer; this amount is verified by a supervisor, usually
the head teller.  Tellers use this cash for payments during the day
and are responsible for its safe and accurate handling.  After
banking hours, tellers count cash on hand, list the
currency-received tickets on a balance sheet, and balance the day's
accounts.  They sort checks and deposit slips.  Tellers also spend
time learning about the bank's products and services and changes in
the bank's procedures.  They also spend time training to refresh and
upgrade their skills.

   Tellers process numerous mail transactions.  Some tellers replenish
cash drawers and corroborate deposits and payments to automatic
teller machines (ATM's).  Head tellers supervise the work of other
tellers and ensure that ATM's function properly.

   Because banks offer more and increasingly complex financial
services, most bank tellers are now being trained to act as customer
service representatives in addition to their other duties.  These
tellers can briefly explain to customers the various types of
accounts and financial services offered by their bank, and refer
customers to more experienced customer service representatives or
bank managers.  (New accounts clerks, who also may act as customer
service representatives, are discussed in the Handbook statement on
interviewing and new accounts clerks.  Bank managers are covered in
the Handbook statement on financial managers.)

   Tellers explain banking products and services to customers.

Working Conditions

Tellers generally work during the day, Monday through Friday; some
evening and weekend work is required.  The job offers ample
opportunity to work part time with flexible hours; in some banks, 90
percent of tellers work part time.  Banks often hire part-time, or
peak-time, tellers for busy banking periods such as lunch hours and
weekend mornings.  Some tellers work outside the traditional bank
setting in shopping malls, supermarkets, or other large retail
establishments.  Continual communication with customers, repetitive
tasks, prolonged standing within a fairly small area, and a high
level of attention to security also characterize the job.

Employment

Bank tellers held about 525,000 jobs in 1992; over one-fourth worked
part time.  The overwhelming majority, about 96 percent, worked in
commercial banks, savings institutions, or credit unions.  The rest
worked in personal, business, or Federal credit institutions;
mortgage banks; security and commodity brokerages; and holding and
other investment offices.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

In hiring tellers, banks seek people who have good numerical,
clerical, and communication skills, and enjoy public contact.
Tellers must feel comfortable handling large amounts of cash and,
since their work is highly automated, working with computers and
video terminals.  In some metropolitan areas, banks seek bilingual
tellers or those with a working knowledge of several languages.

   Although tellers work independently, their recordkeeping is closely
supervised.  Accuracy and attention to detail are vital.  Tellers
should be courteous, attentive, and patient in dealing with the
public, because customers often judge a bank by the way they are
treated at the teller window.  Maturity, tact, and the ability to
quickly explain bank procedures and services are important in
helping customers complete transactions or make financial decisions.

   Most entrants transfer from other occupations; virtually all have at
least a high school education.  In general, banks prefer applicants
who have had high school courses in mathematics, accounting,
bookkeeping, economics, and public speaking.  New tellers,
especially at larger banks, receive at least 1 week of formal
classroom training.  Formal training is followed by several weeks of
on-the-job training where tellers observe experienced workers before
doing the work themselves.  Smaller banks rely primarily upon
on-the-job training.  In addition to instruction in basic duties,
many banks now include extensive training in the bank's products and
services so that tellers are able to make appropriate product
referrals to customers communication and sales skills, and
instruction on equipment such as ATM's and on-line video terminals.

   In large banks, beginners usually start as limited-transaction
tellers, cashing checks and processing simple transactions for a few
days, before becoming full-service tellers.  Often banks
simultaneously train tellers for other clerical duties.

   Advancement opportunities are good for well-trained, motivated
employees.  Experienced tellers may advance to head teller, customer
service representative, or new accounts clerk.  Outstanding tellers
who have had some college or specialized training offered by the
banking industry may be promoted to a managerial position.  Banks
encourage this upward mobility by providing access to education and
other sources of additional training.

   Tellers can prepare for better jobs by taking courses offered or
accredited by the American Institute of Banking, an educational
affiliate of the American Bankers Association, or the Institute of
Financial Education.  These organizations have several hundred
chapters in cities across the country and numerous study groups in
small communities, and they offer correspondence courses.  They also
work closely with local colleges and universities in preparing
courses of study.  Most banks use the facilities of these
organizations, which assist local banks in conducting cooperative
training programs or developing independent training programs.  In
addition, many banks refund college tuition fees to their employees
upon successful completion of their courses.  Although most courses
are meant for employed tellers, some community colleges offer
preemployment training programs.  These programs can help prepare
applicants for a job in banking, and can give them an advantage over
other jobseekers.

Job Outlook

Employment of bank tellers is expected to decline through the year
2005.  However, job prospects still should be good.  Because the
occupation is large and the turnover rate is high characteristic of
occupations that generally require little formal education and offer
relatively low pay job opportunities, arising from the need to
replace tellers who transfer to other occupations or stop working,
should be plentiful for qualified applicants.

   The projected decline in employment of bank tellers stems from
overexpansion and competition from large nonbank corporations that
offer bank-like services, including investments and lending, that
have resulted in closings, mergers, and consolidations in the
banking industry in recent years.  This trend is expected to
continue, resulting in slow employment growth in commercial banks
and savings and loan associations, where employment of tellers is
highly concentrated.  Further, teller employment will be adversely
affected by various technologies, if they are widely adopted by
banks in the future.  For example, the use of video tellers, which
allow customers at several locations to conduct transactions with
tellers at a central location, and interactive telephone systems,
which allow customers to bank by telephone, could adversely affect
employment of tellers by the year 2005.  The use of debit cards
instead of cash or checks, scanning devices that verify signatures,
and automated currency verification systems also could contribute to
the decline in teller employment.  Earnings In 1992, median annual
earnings of full-time tellers were $14,800.  The lowest 10 percent
earned about $10,500 while the top 10 percent earned around $24,300.
Some banks offer incentives whereby tellers earn supplemental
rewards for inducing customers to use other financial products and
services offered by the bank.  In general, a greater range of
responsibilities results in a higher salary.  Experience, length of
service, and, especially, the location and size of the bank also are
important.

   Some part-time tellers may not be eligible for certain benefits such
as life and health insurance, although they may have higher hourly
earnings in lieu of benefits.

Related Occupations

Tellers combine a knowledge of bank procedures with quickness and
accuracy to process money, checks, and other financial items for
customers.  Other workers with similar duties include new accounts
clerks, cashiers, toll collectors, post office clerks, auction
clerks, and ticket sellers.

Sources of Additional Information

   General information about banking occupations, training
opportunities, and the banking industry is available from:

   American Bankers Association, Center for Banking Information, 1120
Connecticut Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20036.

   For information on continuing education, preemployment training, and
banking jobs, contact:

   Institute of Financial Education, 111 E.  Wacker Dr., Suite 900,
Chicago, IL 60601-4389.

   American Institute of Banking, 1120 Connecticut Ave.  NW.,
Washington, DC 20036.

   State bankers' associations can furnish specific information about
job opportunities in their State.  Or write directly to a particular
bank to inquire about job openings.  For the names and addresses of
banks and savings and related institutions, as well as the names of
their principal officers, consult one of the following directories.

   The American Financial Directory (Norcross, Ga., McFadden Business
Publications).

   Polk's World Bank Directory (Nashville, R.L.  Polk & Co.).

   Rand McNally Bankers Directory (Chicago, Rand McNally & Co.).

   The U.S.  Savings and Loan Directory (Chicago, Rand McNally & Co.).

   Rand McNally Credit Union Directory (Chicago, Rand McNally & Co.).