Bank teller
A bank teller is a person who serves customers in a bank branch: handling account transactions, taking in and paying out cash, and giving information about products.
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Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
trace financial transactions
convert currency
process payments
offer financial services
provide financial product information
About bank teller
The teller deals with customers' everyday business at the counter and gives information on a customer's accounts and on the transfers, deposits and savings attached to them, processes payments, converts currencies, and receives and reconciles cash and cheques. They also order cards and chequebooks for customers.
The teller also promotes the bank's products and services, knows financial products and banking activity, provides customers with information about them, and offers financial services matched to the customer's needs. The job calls for knowledge of financial products, accuracy in processing payments and converting currencies, and ease in communicating with customers.
The teller works to the bank's procedures, ensures compliance with the bank's internal policy, handles the vault and the safe deposit boxes, and prepares statistical financial reports on cash held and moved and balances the till at the end of the day. A bank is obliged to identify a customer for transactions above a threshold set in anti-money-laundering law.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a bank teller.
Cash Handling and Transaction Processing
- Receive deposits and process withdrawal requests, ensuring accurate counting and documentation
- Balance cash drawers at the end of each shift and reconcile daily transactions
- Process various payments including loan payments, utility payments, and insurance premiums
- Conduct currency conversions and foreign exchange transactions according to bank rates
Customer Service and Account Management
- Assist customers with opening new accounts, closing accounts, and managing account information
- Respond to customer inquiries about account balances, transaction history, and banking services
- Order bank cards, checks, and other banking materials for customers
- Maintain detailed records of all customer interactions and transactions
Financial Product Information and Sales
- Explain financial products and services such as savings accounts, loans, and investment options
- Promote bank products and services to customers based on their financial needs
- Provide accurate financial product information to help customers make informed decisions
- Identify cross-selling opportunities and refer customers to appropriate banking specialists
Payment Processing and Transfers
- Process wire transfers, electronic payments, and mobile banking transactions
- Handle special payment arrangements and process documents related to financial transactions
- Trace financial transactions when customers inquire about payment status
- Ensure all payments are processed according to banking regulations and internal procedures
Compliance and Record Keeping
- Maintain financial transaction records accurately and ensure compliance with banking regulations
- Produce statistical financial records and reports as required by bank management
- Ensure adherence to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures
- Follow all internal bank policies and security protocols to protect customer information
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (14)
Optional (26) — show
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does a bank teller do?
Bank tellers deal most frequently with customers of the bank. They promote the banks products and services, and provide information about the customers personal accounts and related transfers, deposits, savings etc. They order bank cards and checks for the customers, receive and balance cash and checks and ensure compliance with internal policies. They work on client accounts, deal with payments and manage the use of vaults and safe deposit boxes.
What skills does a bank teller need?
A bank teller needs 14 essential skills, including financial products, banking activities, financial jurisdiction, trace financial transactions, produce statistical financial records.
Will AI replace bank teller jobs?
The AI disruption score for bank teller is 81/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: convert currency, electronic communication, perform clerical duties. Most resilient: ensure safe transport of money, protect client interests, handle financial transactions.
AI Replacement Risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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