40 Bank of America Interview Questions & Answers
Behavioral
1. Our clients here at Bank of America expect top-tier service and products, and we will expect you to offer that in this role. Have you ever gone the extra mile for a client when it wasn't expected? Why did you do so?
How to Answer
Bank of America strives to set itself apart from its competition by delivering the best service possible. As a customer service professional, you are likely used to doing this. Think of a time you went above and beyond the call of duty and impacted the overall customer experience. Explain why you felt it was important to take that action and describe the results of your actions.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, when I worked customer service in retail, I had a customer looking for a discontinued item of clothing for her sick mother. The easy route would have been to simply look it up, tell her it was discontinued, and send her on her way. Instead, I took down the customer's contact information and let her know that I could contact our person that handled archived products. If we could track it down, I would be in touch. With a simple phone call, my colleague was able to track the item down from the supplier and ship it directly. We put the customer in direct contact with the supplier, and she was as happy as could be. Looking back on that situation, I felt that it was the right thing to do given her situation and the fact that she was a loyal customer."
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role in hospitality, I often work with high profile customers who come to our hotel. Last year, a touring manager for a musician contacted me regarding an upcoming stay for the musician. I proactively asked for their dining and entertainment preferences, and with that list, I was able to work with our catering staff to ensure we had his preferred items on the menus for the nights he stayed and a customized video game package in the musician's room for his extended stay. Before his departure, his manager reached out to thank me for the great service!"
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
2. Have you ever had to work with a difficult colleague? How did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
A job with Bank of America will put you in a branch office with many different people and personalities. Conflict in the workplace is common, and your interviewer wants to hear how you manage interpersonal conflicts with your coworkers.
Use a real-life situation and talk openly and honestly about how you handled it. Focus on the positive things you did to make things work out. Demonstrate that you are a true team player no matter who you work with.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
1st Answer Example
"In my current job, I am paired with a colleague who can be rather difficult at times. We handle a lot of work over the phone, and he can be very loud and boisterous at times. On top of that, he tends to get very upset following phone calls with certain clients. When I was first paired with him, I was taken aback by his behavior and remained quiet. One day, at the advice of our manager, I talked to my colleague and told him that I would be very thankful if he could tone his voice down in our office and use more healthy ways of handling anger on the job. He thanked me for the feedback and told me that his old officemate handled frustration in the same way. Knowing that I didn't care for that approach, he vowed to be better, and things are great to this day."
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"I consider myself to be a great team player, and any of my current or past coworkers would echo thought. While I work well in teams, conflict is inevitable, and I feel that I excel in working with difficult teammates. A couple of years ago, I was on a project team with a person who tried to take over meetings and wouldn't listen to other people's ideas. After seeing a few of our team members become visibly frustrated during our first gathering, I took it upon myself to talk with this person face to face. The person became very confrontational and angrily questioned the overall knowledge of the members of the team. I decided that I would let that conversation sink in with the individual and see how the next meeting the following week went. When the belittling and combative behavior continued, I approached the project lead to see what could be done. While the difficult decision was made to remove that person from our project team, I have no regrets in the approach I took because it was good for the overall health of the team."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
3. Tell me about a time your attention to detail protected your employer's assets.
How to Answer
Offer examples of how your attention to detail benefitted the team. Describe the ways you've handled your work with diligence and accuracy. Touch on your organization skills, your methodology or approach to your attention to detail, and the standard you set for your work.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"At my last job, I was going over orders that were already punched. I'm a math whiz, and I noticed that the number punched didn't match the running total. I was able to locate the mis-punch, which was a high-ticket item that doesn't move very fast and is prone to shrinkage. My boss was present when I discovered it, so I got a nice pat on the back that day."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"When I worked at my last bank, someone came in who was a super crafty short change artist. They didn't come to my counter, but I listened to what was happening a couple of counters away. As soon as I sensed something was awry, I stood by as a second set of eyes and said, 'Hey, this got confusing fast. Why don't I double-check these numbers for you? Let's start over.' We started over, and the short change artist stopped their games and bowed out."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
4. Tell me about a risk you've taken that paid off.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if you are a risk-taker or risk-averse. You want to present yourself as someone who takes calculated risks as opposed to a habitual risk-taker. Innovation is partly achieved by taking calculated risks. Some are risk-averse, maintaining the status quo. For some, taking risks comes naturally. Others might take risks compulsively, which could be costly for a company. They want to know how you evaluate risk.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
5. The banking industry is built on trust, and this is no different at Bank of America. Do the people you have worked closely with consider you to be trustworthy?
How to Answer
The interviewer expects you to talk about a specific situation where you proved your trustworthiness in the workplace rather than simply give a yes or no response. Think about a time you were trusted beyond your normal job duties and describe the situation to your interviewer. Explain why the situation was important, what you learned from it and how it makes you a trustworthy candidate for this role at Bank of America.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Behavioral
6. Give an example of a time you showed resilience or motivation in the last 6-12 months.
How to Answer
Kill two birds with one stone in your answer to this question. Give the interviewer insight into your personality and what motivates and inspires you, and explain how you stayed motivated in your work, how you approached your work, and whether the task was high-pressure or monotonous.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
7. Discuss a time you helped a client through a difficult financial situation. What were the keys to making it a success for the client?
How to Answer
Your interviewer poses this question to see how you will handle a client working through a difficult time. As you talk about how you managed that situation, your interviewer will want to hear that you have the interpersonal skills to be effective from the client's perspective. Explain the importance of an empathetic approach with your clients and how that approach helps them get through a difficult time.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Behavioral
8. Tell me about a project you worked on and the difficulties you faced in getting it done.
How to Answer
Innovation is integral to leadership. The interviewer wants to know your preferred working style, how resourceful you are, and whether you exhibit 'outside-of-the-box thinking. Discuss eeting deadlines, overperforming, learning, and innovating in your example. Frame yourself as resourceful, with a propensity to think fast on your feet. Demonstrate that you aren't easily discouraged. You want your answer to exhibit determination.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
9. How would you respond to a customer complaint?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you can professionally handle customer complaints. Give an example of a time you helped resolve a customer's issue.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
10. At Bank of America, our Personal Bankers work with clients from all walks of life. How do you handle working with many different personalities throughout the day?
How to Answer
As a Personal Banker with Bank of America, you will deal with a wide variety of clients, and your interviewer will want to hear that you can tailor your approach to different personalities while maintaining a knowledgeable and professional approach to each person. In your answer, stress that you have the patience to work with all different types of people effectively and the calmness to handle demanding customers. If you worked in a role that required you to work with customers, feel free to bring examples of times you had to work with differing personalities firsthand.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Behavioral
11. Tell me about a time when you thought it was important to adhere to a rule.
How to Answer
Policies often come into play throughout the growth of a company. From procedural rules to safety protocols, every position in every company has rules and established systems to ensure things run smoothly with as little rework as possible. Stress your understanding of the value of rules and explain that you'll abide by them, regardless of whether you like them or not. You want to come across as a supporting influence for your employer.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
12. How do you work in environments with people who are different from you?
How to Answer
The banking industry thrives on team players with communication and listening skills who can build internal and customer relations with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Give an example of how you led a team or collaborated with a group for a school project to show Bank of America that you are perceptive and sensitive to the needs of others.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Behavioral
13. Tell me about a time you showed integrity in your work.
How to Answer
Integrity is best displayed through honesty and consistent moral values. The banking industry relies on trustworthy, reliable employees. Give an example that shows how you have demonstrated these qualities in the past.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Communication
14. How would you rate your communication skills?
How to Answer
Communication is an integral part of any business. Solid communication is a necessity to ensure all the company's systems run smoothly. Explain what you do to ensure communication is effective between all parties. Consider offering a positive example of a time you identified a communication breakdown.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Communication
15. Give me an example of how you keep track of details while engaging in conversation.
How to Answer
Multi-tasking is a great skill to have within the banking industry. Share a situation that demonstrates your ability to handle the daily tasks of a busy banking environment.
Direct
16. How far are you willing to travel? What location do you prefer?
How to Answer
Volunteer if you're willing to travel for work or have done it before. If you're not open to traveling or prefer not to have a long commute, don't say 'no' straight out. If you weren't aware that this was a prerequisite for the position, ask if it is. Tell the interviewer you're interested in the position and that you'd be open to discussing it further. Ask more questions about the position and be flexible and open to negotiation.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Direct
17. How do you feel about standing for long periods of time?
How to Answer
It's illegal for an interviewer to ask you about disabilities or medical conditions. This question may seek to reveal the same information without asking it directly. Speak with confidence in your ability to perform the required functions of this role. Assure them that you have no limitations in performing the duties of the job where true. If you have a disability that you don't believe will hinder your success, then there is no legal or ethical reason to reveal that information and render yourself open to ill-informed bias.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Direct
18. Are you willing to work longer hours than scheduled?
How to Answer
Depending on the position you are applying for, there may be a high demand for less desirable shifts, expectations for putting in overtime or weekend hours, or expected on-call coverage during staff shortages. The interviewer wants to evaluate your flexibility and expectations for the position. It is best to be honest. If you have other priorities or demands on your time that aren't conducive to working lots of overtime or covering other shifts, then it is worth clarifying this now. It is better for both employee and employer to learn that the job isn't a good fit earlier rather than later.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Direct
19. What do you understand about Bank of America's company culture and values?
How to Answer
It's expected that an applicant is playing the numbers game while pursuing opportunities, hoping to land a role somewhere. The interviewer will evaluate your level of enthusiasm to work with Bank of America. They'll gauge this by determining how much work you put into preparing for your interview. This exhibits not only a passion for what Bank of America does but how your vision aligns with theirs, setting you up as a viable candidate.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Direct
20. What are the differences between Bank of America and other competitors in the market?
How to Answer
The interviewer is testing the scope of your industry knowledge and their competitors. They hope to gain insight into how engaged you are in your career. Share the scope of your knowledge and explain how BofA rises above its competitors. Going above and beyond in your interview is a good indicator that above and beyond is your performance standard.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Direct
21. Why are you leaving your current job?
How to Answer
This question seeks to reveal how forthright you are about the conditions through which you left your previous employer (whether you quit, were fired or laid off, etc.). They are also curious about the terms your employment was severed, amicably or acrimoniously. Focus on the positives. Don't reveal anything that would paint you in a negative light. If there were reasons which might sound defamatory towards yourself or others, keep those details to yourself. For example, when someone has outgrown a position, and it isn't advancing their career, looking for career growth elsewhere reveals a dedication to one's well-formulated career plans. Not burning bridges and revealing professional appreciation for what you gained from your previous employers can go a long way toward exhibiting emotional maturity.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Discovery
22. What interests you about this position?
How to Answer
The interviewer at Bank of America wants to learn more about how your educational or professional background led you to apply for this position. Share what part of this role you are most looking forward to and explain how it relates to your previous experience or future goals.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Education
23. What is the highest level of mathematics that you completed during your schooling?
How to Answer
Working as a Teller for Bank of America will require you to have basic math skills and the ability to count cash accurately and efficiently. Your interview will expect you to have completed high school math. Describe the math courses you completed and explain how your mathematical skills will be able to apply to the job you are interviewing for. Make sure that your interviewer walks away from your conversation confident in your abilities.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Experience
24. What customer service experience do you have that would greatly benefit the customers at Bank of America?
How to Answer
As the face of the organization, your interviewer expects you to bring your A-game to the job every day when it comes to customer service. As you prepare for your interviewer, consider what part of your customer service experience would most apply to being a successful Teller. Talk about serving customers and putting a smile on their faces with each interaction you had. Don't hesitate to use a real-world example of a time you went the extra mile to provide the best service possible.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
General
25. Take a couple of minutes to sell this notepad to me.
How to Answer
To be successful in the financial advising field, you must be able to sell your service to your clients. For this task, your interviewer will slide a notepad to you across the table and ask you to sell it to them. First and foremost, your interviewer expects you to project confidence in your pitch. As you sell them the notepad, be confident and creative and ask questions. This question is a fun opportunity to show your advising skills in a nontraditional way.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Management
26. Tell me about your favorite manager. What did you enjoy most about working with them?
How to Answer
Bank of America wants to hear what excites you and keeps you motivated in your relationship with your boss. They are interested in your values and want to hear about your experience developing relationships with managers.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Operational
27. As a Personal Banker with Bank of America, why is providing tailored customer service important? How would you make this a priority if hired for this role?
How to Answer
In the banking industry, customers have unique financial situations and personality types, so a customized approach is required to make each customer feel valued. In this role as a Personal Banker, your customers will expect you to tailor your approach to meet their needs. Talk about how you get to know your customers to best work with them. Explain the importance of taking an empathetic approach with your customers and talk about why an empathetic approach is important when working with a customer on their financial needs.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
28. What experience do you have in multitasking different duties in your prior work experiences?
How to Answer
As a Teller with Bank of America, you will need to have excellent organizational skills to handle multiple tasks throughout each workday. Customers often have multiple transactions to process, and your job will be to ensure that the needs of the customer are handled accurately and efficiently. Describe a time you had to multitask on the job. Point out the organizational skills you used to ensure that all of your duties were handled. If you are a new graduate, talk about multitasking in your school or personal life as long as it is relevant to this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
29. How would you rate your ability to learn new software programs on a scale of 1 to 10?
How to Answer
In today's digital age, a majority of bank transactions are handled through digital software, and for you to be successful in this role, your interviewer will expect you to be able to quickly learn the programs you would be required to work with at Bank of America.
Talk about times you had to learn new software programs on the job and describe your best methods for learning on the job. Openly talk about the programs you are proficient in to give them an idea of what type of training you would need if hired.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
30. We want our advising team at Bank of America to be happy and healthy. How do you manage the day to day stress of being a financial advisor?
How to Answer
The daily stressors of a career in financial advising can be burdensome and overwhelming and can lead to burnout on the job. Your interviewer wants to delve into your personal life to see how you manage stress. Talk about what you do on the job to avoid stress and outside of work to avoid burnout. Point out that you have the resources and ability to care for yourself to keep you at the top of your game on the job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
31. Bank of America strives for client loyalty to keep us running strong into the future. What do you feel are the keys to retaining clients for the long haul?
How to Answer
Businesses in financial advising are constantly pushing the limits to ensure that they retain clients, and Bank of America doesn't take client retention lightly. One slip up and a high profile client will take their business to a competitor. Your interviewer expects to hear that you understand your role in customer retention and you take pride in that in your everyday work. Talk about the small things you do to keep clients happy.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
32. Due to the continued explosion of the digital world, Bank of America is becoming more virtual every day. What job duties would you see as being fluid in this role as a Teller with us?
How to Answer
The traditional Teller job description has changed with the advancements in technology. With this question, your interview is simply looking to gauge how flexible you would be if hired for this role because Bank of America will be relying on the person hired for this role to be highly adaptable in a changing work environment. As you answer, let your interviewer know that you are aware of how rapidly the banking industry is changing and give examples of times you had to be flexible in your job duties. Then, put thought into what you feel are ways that the traditional Teller job role has changed and will continue to change over time.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
33. How do you check your work for accuracy?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you are detail-oriented in checking your work. Explain the steps you take to eliminate minor mistakes and ensure your customer transactions and paperwork are accurate.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Operational
34. How do you keep up with recent changes in the banking industry?
How to Answer
This question offers you an opportunity to show off your knowledge of your industry and how up-to-date you are. It also serves to reveal how serious or passionate you are about your career. The interviewer wants to know if you can talk the talk and walk the walk. They want to know if you pursued this career or just fell into it. You want the interviewer to see you as a proactive worker rather than a reactive follower. Exhibit a growth mindset at all times. If you take advantage of learning through continuing education credits, seminars, conferences, journals, or any other means, let them know.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 13th, 2022
Operational
35. As a Personal Banker at Bank of America, how would you select products to suggest to our customers?
How to Answer
The role of a Personal Banker requires sales skills and customer service skills to match products that best suit each customer's needs. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you can do just that. Highlight your ability to learn the entire catalog of financial products you would have at your disposal, and then talk about tailoring packages to each individual based on their needs. To sell your interviewer on your ability, use a real-world example where you used features and benefits to meet someone's needs in a sales-related situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Operational
36. If hired for this role here at Bank of America, how would you manage your daily tasks on the job to complete your work in a timely and efficient manner?
How to Answer
Your interviewer poses this question to gain insight into how you use resources and technology to stay on track and prioritize the small details. Be specific as you describe your ability to multitask many duties throughout a given workday and talk about the tools you use to stay on track. Discuss why paying attention to detail is important in your work. Use real-world examples to demonstrate your time management and project management skills.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Situational
37. If a customer at Bank of America had increased savings as their main personal financial goal, what steps would you take with them to get them started down the right path?
How to Answer
You should expect a question or two that digs into your technical abilities in the form of a hypothetical situation. This question allows your interviewer to gain insight into your knowledge of sound financial savings philosophies, so be sure to talk about important aspects of a customer's finances that can impact their ability to save. Explain that you would use a logical, yet tailored, approach with each customer in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Situational
38. How would you handle communication with a customer who is visibly upset?
How to Answer
In this position with Bank of America, you may face an upset or angry customer. As a Teller, you will be expected to deescalate the situation through solid and effective verbal communication.
Talk about your ability to remain calm, cool, and collected in any situation, and describe your empathetic approach to all customers. If you have an example of a similar situation, don't hesitate to describe that situation and explain how you handled it.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Situational
39. If you weren't able to answer a customer's question or solve their problem on your own, how would you handle the situation?
What You Need to Know
As the client services representative with Bank of America, you may be asked serious financial or market-related questions that you either don't know or aren't qualified to answer. In those situations, you will be expected to explain to the customer how their question will be answered and then deliver a timeline of when it can be answered. Even if you are unable to answer a customer's question, you need to be able to point them in the right direction or know where to turn to find the answer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020
Situational
40. What was the most stressful situation you faced in the workplace, and what did you do to navigate that situation successfully?
How to Answer
At times, the work at Bank of America can get stressful in a customer-facing role, and your answer to this question gives your interviewer insight into how you will handle the stress of this role if you are hired. Speak openly and honestly, describe the situation, and explain why it was stressful for you. Then, talk in detail about the things you did to work through the situation to reach a positive outcome. Explain that you are not easily stressed out on the job and can work through high-pressure situations with ease.
Written by Ryan Brunner on October 8th, 2020