25 Bank Manager Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Bank Manager interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. How do you feel about having to discipline employees?
How to Answer
Sometimes bank managers have to reprimand employees. The interviewer wants assurance that you will be able to handle this. Talk about any experience you have in this area. Be sure to emphasize that you are willing to do this when necessary but that you would take care of it in a calm, measured, and respectful manner.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Although it doesn't happen often, as a manager in my current role at a financial company, I do have experience doing this. When it appears that an employee isn't fulfilling expectations, I typically take time to first observe the situation and gather information. Once I'm positive that a meeting is warranted, I arrange a time to meet privately with the employee to discuss my concerns. We generally establish an action plan to fix the problem. If the issue continues to persist, at that point I may have to give additional warnings or write-ups that go in their HR file. I might also have to let my own manager aware of the situation. In all cases, I make sure to be respectful, professional, and calm."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Behavioral
2. If I called your boss right now and asked them what area you could improve in, what would they say?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know about your greatest weakness. Be honest in your response, but if at all possible, talk about a weakness that can be spun in a positive way. Make sure to discuss the steps you are taking to overcome and/or combat your weakness.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I think that my boss would say that I like to be in control. This is true because I have high standards, and I expect all employees to provide the bank's customers with exceptional service. And I will speak up if I notice they aren't. But, having said this, I recognize that this is an area where I can still improve so I work consistently and on a daily basis to better myself here. I focus my efforts on building a team of people around me who I know share similar standards and will always treat customers professionally and respectfully. I also remind myself that there is more than one way to achieve great results and that it doesn't always have to be my way."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Behavioral
3. What have you done in past situations to contribute toward a teamwork environment?
How to Answer
Part of a bank manager's duties revolves around driving the employee experience. The interviewer wants to know that you will encourage an atmosphere of teamwork. Provide an example or two of times when you've promoted cohesiveness and collaboration within a team.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Whenever I've held leadership positions, I have always believed that the best way for me to encourage teamwork was to model it myself. I make sure to show that I am open to the ideas and input of others. I am respectful and approachable. I also frequently speak about having a team mentality where we all work together toward shared goals. Within my last role, I also initiated team get-togethers so we could get to know each other outside of work. It worked well; the team bonded, truly becoming friends, which benefited us all as we worked together to achieve business objectives."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Competency
4. What steps do you take before making a decision?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are methodical and structured when it comes to making large decisions. Walk them through the process you would typically take in this situation. Consider including an example of a time when you had to make a big decision and show how you successfully handled it.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I recognize that bank managers need to be decisive. In order to be objective in all situations, whenever I have to make an important decision I follow a process that I have developed and honed over time. I start by making sure that I have defined the problem that needs to be solved or the decision that has to be made. I then go about gathering all the information I need, listing all the choices I could make, and then consider possible outcomes for each of them. I also think about the choices I have in terms of my values, feelings, and priorities. Sometimes I also list pros and cons and talk to people I trust to get their opinions as well. Ultimately, I choose the best alternative as I see it and then commit myself to that decision and move forward. I continually evaluate my progress and remain open to making changes in the future if needed or if circumstances change."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Competency
5. How do you keep track of work so that it gets done on time?
How to Answer
Bank managers typically have to juggle multiple priorities and responsibilities every day. The interviewer wants assurance that you don't let things fall through the cracks and that you meet deadlines. Talk about how you stay organized and what you do to keep tabs on various projects.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I rely heavily on my calendar and to-do list app to prioritize and remain organized. Whenever I make an appointment with someone, I put the meeting on my online calendar which emails out invites and reminders. Any tasks with deadlines are put on my to-do list which is found on an app on my phone. Every morning I look at my to-do list so I know what I need to tackle and in what order. Whenever possible, I delegate tasks but I always follow up to make sure the work has been completed and in a satisfactory manner. Sometimes I might also use a Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet to track the tasks for a specific project. Using all of these methods allows me to stay on top of the various deadlines, priorities, and projects that fill my days."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Competency
6. In your opinion, what are the top priorities of a bank manager?
How to Answer
Bank managers have many different, high-level responsibilities and priorities. The interviewer wants to make sure that you understand what your job will entail if they hire you. Talk about the various priorities you will focus on if hired as their bank manager.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Bank managers naturally have to juggle a lot of different duties and priorities. In my view, if you hire me my top priority will be to plan and execute all aspects of the branch's performance. This will include driving revenue and customer loyalty. Another high priority will be to lead the sales process that our salespeople use to achieve their targets. I will focus on business development and coaching our sales team to use a consultative approach to sell and build loyalty with our clients. Beyond these two, other top priorities will include creating and maintaining inclusive, technology-driven, and differentiated customer and employee experiences and managing all types of risk. I am confident that I have the experience and skillset to handle all of these priorities - and more - efficiently and effectively for the overall success of the bank."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Competency
7. What was the biggest mistake you have made when delegating work? The biggest success?
How to Answer
A bank manager needs to be able to delegate tasks or else they will become overwhelmed with work. The interviewer wants assurance that you are an effective delegator. Talk about some experiences you've had delegating. When you discuss the mistake(s) you made, be sure to focus on the lessons you carried away from the experience.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"When I was younger, the mistake I made when it came to delegating was to not do it! I thought that I needed to do everything myself. This mentality didn't last long because after a while I felt burned out. Clearly, I couldn't take it upon myself to do everything! The lesson I learned is that it's highly important to trust others and to delegate certain tasks whenever possible. Now, later in my career, I believe that I am a successful delegator. I look for the strengths that others have and assign tasks that suit them. I lay out clear expectations, request occasional status updates, and give deadlines, but then I allow them to take control and complete the task or project as they see fit. This strategy has worked very well for me."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Discovery
8. Why do you want a career as a bank manager?
How to Answer
The interviewer may ask you this question to get a general sense of why you're in this field. Emphasize how motivated, experienced, and skilled you are in order to show that you're the ideal fit for the position. Discuss your strengths, why you'll excel, and the reasons why you're so interested in this specific position and company.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"When I was in college, I began working as a teller in a local bank. I chose this job because I'm both analytical and personable. I ended up really enjoying the work because I was able to handle money and crunch numbers while also providing an exceptional experience for customers. After some time, I moved up to the head teller position, which allowed me to develop my leadership skills, and I also graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance. Given my strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, coupled with my degree and multiple years of experience working within a bank, I know that I am well suited to be a successful and effective bank manager."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Discovery
9. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
This question gives you a great opportunity to really sell yourself. When you answer, make sure to emphasize your strengths, skills, and experience as they relate to the role. Do your best to differentiate yourself from other candidates so the interviewer can see why they should hire you over someone else.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I believe that you should hire me because I have all the qualifications and skills to excel and be successful within the role. I have over ten years of experience working within a bank environment, five of which have been in management roles. I am a strong leader who empowers and motivates my employees. In addition, I'm highly organized, technologically savvy, able to manage multiple priorities, and knowledgeable about banking regulations and practices. I pride myself on being customer-focused, and I would love the opportunity to serve your bank's customers and employees."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Discovery
10. As a bank manager, what do you believe is your best asset?
How to Answer
This question is a great opportunity to really sell yourself. Make sure to highlight a strength of yours that is relevant to the bank manager position. Clearly explain how this strength will help you to excel within the role.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I believe that my greatest asset when it comes to this role is my deep knowledge about banking. I've worked in banks for over fifteen years now, and during this time, I have become an expert in the issues, regulations, business practices, and operations of retail banking branches. I know that the knowledge I possess allows me to better assist customers and to lead, empower, and motivate the bank employees. While I'm also an effective communicator, delegator, and salesperson, I believe that my expertise in the area of banking is what gives me an edge over my competition."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Leadership
11. How do you think previous employees would rate you as a manager?
How to Answer
A large part of a bank manager's job is to oversee others. The interviewer wants to know whether people who have worked below you in the past would say you're a good manager or not. Be honest but definitely emphasize your strengths and experience in this area.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I've been managing others for many years now and am a strong leader who inspires and motivates others. I believe that employees who have worked under me would say that I'm empathetic and fair. I also think they would say that I have high standards. I expect employees to work hard and to deliver an exceptional customer experience; however, I am quick to praise and reward them for doing so. In addition, they would likely say that I strive to ensure that employees receive access to lots of growth and development opportunities. This is because I believe that if employees are growing and learning, their satisfaction will spill over into how they are performing their job. In addition, I am an inclusive leader who values diverse perspectives."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Leadership
12. Describe your leadership style and give an example of a situation when you successfully led a group.
How to Answer
There are various leadership styles out there from authoritarian to participative. Prior to the interview, brush up on the one(s) that you ascribe to so you can talk fluently about it/them. Then provide the interviewer with an example of a time when you used this leadership style to successfully lead a team.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Although my leadership style continues to evolve, I would say that I'm a mix between participative and delegative. I'm participative in that I like to involve my team in making decisions. I value their input and thoughts. I am also delegative to an extent as well in that I like to identify each team member's strengths and then delegate tasks that suit them. I trust that they are competent and responsible so I don't hang over them constantly. Instead, I request occasional status updates and trust that the work will be completed within the deadline. Although this example is from outside of work, I am currently the president of a charitable organization in my community. Under my leadership, we have raised thousands of dollars in charitable donations, and our membership is engaged, motivated, and excited. I view this as a great example of my success as a leader."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Management
13. Talk to me about the methods you use to help integrate new employees into the team.
How to Answer
One of the responsibilities of a bank manager is to acquire and retain talent by onboarding, coaching, and developing new employees. The interviewer wants to know what kind of experience you have in this area. Talk about the steps you would take to help a new employee adjust to being part of your team and how you would motivate and teach them.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"To start, I would work hard to be a good role model by always being professional, empathetic, and respectful at all times. My goal is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment for my team to work in. I help new hires feel comfortable and included by introducing them to everyone both individually and via a team meeting. I talk to them about both my expectations and the team expectations so we're all on the same page. I also pair them with more senior member of the team who can serve as a mentor or buddy if they have any questions or concerns as they get adjusted."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Scenario
14. How would you handle a customer who is unhappy about a bank policy?
How to Answer
There may occasionally be times when customers are unhappy about bank policies. It will be up to you as the bank manager to calmly explain the bank's point of view on the topic. Talk to the interviewer about how you will handle this type of situation.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"As a head teller for several years now, I'm accustomed to handling disgruntled customers. While the bank manager typically takes over if someone is extremely unhappy, I have learned how to deescalate situations on my own so I don't normally have to call over the bank manager. I am very careful about the tone of voice and body language I use. I also take particular care to use words that won't inflame the situation. I remain factual, professional, and respectful at all times. I am confident that I will be able to handle any and all unhappy customers as bank manager. While I'll stand firm on the bank's policies, I will explain them in a friendly, patient, and helpful manner."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Scenario
15. How would you work with a personal banker who wasn't reaching their target goals?
How to Answer
One of your roles as a bank manager will be to ensure that all your employees are meeting their sales goals. Talk to the interviewer about how you plan to do this. Be detailed and provide the various steps you will take.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"If I realized that one of our employees wasn't meeting their targets, first I would take some time to look into the situation to determine exactly where the deficiencies were. Next, I would meet with their direct manager to raise my concerns and get their thoughts. If meeting with their direct manager didn't change the performance issues, then I would meet with the individual one-on-one. I would encourage them to talk through their sales process with me so I could make personalized recommendations and provide advice. Together we would put together an action plan and then I would check in on them on a weekly basis until I felt confident that they were on the road to where they needed to be. In most cases, if I approach this type of issue in this manner, I am able to get the banker to the point where they are meeting and even surpassing their targets."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Scenario
16. Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
As a bank manager, you will need to make sure that your employees are meeting their performance expectations. Sometimes this will require you to have difficult conversations or to give feedback they might not want to hear. Explain to the interviewer how you will handle this type of situation. Provide an example of a time when you did this successfully in the past.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Part of being a bank manager is managing your people and making sure they're doing what they need to do. Sometimes an employee isn't meeting your expectations for whatever reason and you have to tackle it. In my current role, we had a newer employee who wasn't meeting sales expectations. When I looked into it further, I concluded that he hadn't received sufficient training during his onboarding experience because at that time the bank had been moving to a new online platform and our focus on been on that to his detriment. I met with him privately and explained that although he wasn't meeting his sales goals, I believed it was due to a lack of training. I told him that we would fix this problem. We set up a few more weeks of training, and I paired him with a senior salesperson for mentoring purposes. Several weeks later, he was meeting and even exceeding his sales goals. Whenever I have to give difficult feedback, I always try to combine it with an action plan so the person feels hopeful and sees that we can fix the issue."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Scenario
17. Tell us about a problem that you solved in a unique or unusual way. What was the outcome? Were you satisfied with it?
How to Answer
Bank managers are constantly putting out fires and solving varying problems. It's essential that you are a critical thinker and an excellent problem solver. Tell the interviewer about a time when you successfully solved a problem by thinking outside of the box.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I think that one of my strengths is my ability to think on my feet and solve complex problems, especially when they pertain to customers. I am always open to doing things differently in order to delight a customer. In one of my past roles, there was a customer who was having trouble using some of the features on our online platform. Typically, we helped customers with this sort of problem over the phone, but in this case, I knew that the customer was extremely busy during regular business hours and wouldn't have time to resolve this then. So I offered to stay an hour late at work one night so they could drop by my office and I could provide them with an in-person demo. They were so pleased by my willingness to do things differently, and by the end of the session, they were able to confidently use all of the features of our product. In the end, it was a win-win for both of us."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Scenario
18. Give me an example of a project that best describes your organizational skills.
How to Answer
A bank manager needs to be organized because they have to handle multiple priorities, projects, and responsibilities on a daily basis. Using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method, provide the interviewer with an example of a project that shows how organized you can be.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"When it comes to the sales portion of the bank manager role, it's imperative that I be organized. I accomplish this by using various tools. First, I rely heavily on my online calendar to keep track of meetings and calls. Second, I typically use a CRM program like Salesforce to track leads and status updates. I also use this type of program to automate certain repetitive tasks which frees up more of my time for other higher-value tasks. Finally, I use a to-do list app that I look at every morning and throughout the day that helps me to prioritize items in terms of urgency and importance. Altogether, these three tools help me to stay extremely organized and on top of all of my responsibilities."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
19. What was your biggest success in hiring someone? What did you do?
How to Answer
Bank managers are usually in charge of finding and hiring new employees. The interviewer wants to know that you have a track record of doing this successfully. Discuss a time when you hired someone who turned out to be an excellent employee. Explain the tactics you used to locate and win over this person.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I have a lot of experience in finding and acquiring new talent. As a bank manager, I usually delegate certain parts of this process. For instance, I recently hired a new employee who has turned out to be an exceptional salesperson and great with customers. When the need arose to hire someone, I told my colleague specifically what we were looking for to fill the position. We discussed the different places where we could run job ads that would bring in high-quality candidates. Then I let them run with it. Later on in the process, we had several promising candidates to interview. I made sure that we conducted the interviews in a standardized, fair manner. The person we selected went through several interview rounds. In the end, she was the perfect hire for our bank. I believe that delegating most of the hiring process was a smart move because it freed me up to work on other projects, but my guidance and oversight helped to ensure the success of the hiring campaign."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
20. Give me a specific occasion when you conformed to a policy that you didn't agree with.
How to Answer
This type of question can be somewhat tricky and hard to answer. Prior to the interview, think of an example that you could provide in response to a question like this one so you are able to answer without hesitation. Emphasize that you always respect the rules that are set forth at work, even when you don't agree with them.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"I once had a manager who was quite controlling. He liked to know exactly what was happening at all times. While I'm an advocate of frequent status updates during projects, this specific manager implemented a policy that required my entire team to report exactly what we had accomplished every hour. I disagreed with this policy because of the amount of time I felt we wasted reporting our activities. My team members and I felt like our manager didn't trust us, which was a demoralizing feeling. I decided that when I one day became a manager myself, which happened a few years later, that I would trust my team and give them more independence to complete their projects as they saw fit as long as they met the deadlines I set. In my experience, this approach works much better."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
21. Tell me about a time when you successfully coached a fellow employee. What was their problem and what was the outcome?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are able to coach and guide others, whether they be employees or fellow colleagues. Describe a time when you helped a coworker with an issue. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to explain the steps you took and what the end result was.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Within my last role as a bank manager, one of my colleagues came to me one day looking for advice. They had been at the bank for several years by then and felt like they had stagnated. They were considering looking for another job, but they liked certain aspects of our bank and felt torn. A huge part of the problem was that they felt that there were no growth opportunities available to them. First, I listened to and empathized with them. I understood their frustration. Given that I was very involved in creating growth and development opportunities for the employees at the bank, I immediately realized that I needed to initiate more of these kinds of opportunities. I arranged a meeting with management and moved forward with implementing some new programs that included continued education, training, rewards and recognition, and leadership development. These changes reverberated throughout the entire bank, not only improving the satisfaction of my colleague, but also of many others."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
22. Describe a situation when people you were working with did not agree with your ideas. What did you do?
How to Answer
As a bank manager, you're going to be leading others and driving change. Sometimes colleagues may not agree with your ideas. Consider using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to tell the interviewer about a time when someone didn't agree with you. Be sure to talk about the lessons you took away from the experience.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"In my previous role as a bank manager, I led the sales teams and made sure that they executed against strategic plans that centered on deepening client relationships, increasing market share, and driving sales. I also ensured that our salespeople were building a strong pipeline of prospects and clients. When I joined the bank, each salesperson tracked their own progress within a program of their choice. I felt strongly that it would be beneficial to move everyone to a standardized CRM program like Salesforce. When I proposed this to the teams, there was some pushback because several people weren't open to changing their processes. I chose to meet with these individuals privately so they could air their concerns and I could further explain my reasoning. Doing this allowed me to show them how this change would benefit them by increasing their sales and automating many of their redundant tasks. In the end, we moved forward with switching to Salesforce and saw great results from it. I learned that meeting individually with people and actively listening to them was helpful when trying to communicate something new."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
23. Give me a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are motivated and someone who will go above and beyond to do a great job. They don't want a new hire who doesn't work hard or care about their job or the customers. Describe a time when you put extra effort in. Emphasize your strong work ethic and how you continually strive to make customers happy.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"It's very important to me that the bank's customers receive exceptional service. Within my last role as a bank manager, I was in charge of driving all aspects of my branch's performance. This meant driving revenue and customer loyalty through a consultative approach with customers. One day someone came into the branch who was dissatisfied with their current bank. She had significant assets, and I knew our bank could provide both the customer service and financial services that she needed. After one of my colleagues had spent time with her and she was about to head out without making any decisions, I came over and asked to speak with her privately. We discussed the issues she was having with her current bank, and I clearly outlined how we could serve her better. At the end of the conversation, she decided to switch her funds over to our bank and left much happier than when she had come in."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
24. Talk about a time when you experienced conflict with one of your coworkers.
How to Answer
It's important that a bank manager be able to resolve conflict. Talk to the interviewer about your skills and experience in the area of conflict resolution. Using the STAR method, provide an example of a time when you had a disagreement with a colleague and discuss how you handled it.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"Obviously there are times when conflict arises because people don't always agree. In these kinds of situations, I start by being an active listener who tries to understand the other person's perspective. Sometimes this leads me to change my mind and there isn't any resulting conflict at all! Recently, my colleague and I had a difference of opinion on how to handle an issue that a customer was having. We met privately to discuss our views and came to a compromise that we felt would lead to a satisfied client. In the end, everyone was happy - me, my colleague, and the customer."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Situational
25. Describe a difficult project and how you overcame it.
How to Answer
Everyone encounters challenging projects and situations at work and the interviewer knows this. They want to find out how you have handled this type of stress in the past and what you learned from it. Consider using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to describe a time when you had to handle a difficult situation. Be sure to emphasize how you successfully navigated it and what lessons you learned.
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"In my current role as a bank manager for Acme Bank, I am in charge of driving the employee experience. This means that I'm responsible for hiring and retaining new talent and overseeing onboarding, coaching, and employee development. When I came into the position, morale at the bank was extremely low and we had a retention issue. The employees were unmotivated and unhappy. I believed it was time for a change and a breath of fresh air. I started initiating team-building activities and events into our monthly schedule so everyone could get to know each other better and have some fun together. I also met with management and paved the way for more growth and development opportunities for the employees. Nowadays, morale has greatly improved and our retention problem has disappeared."
Written by Marcie Wilmot on July 8th, 2021