Starting a new banking job, help!

[fred4]

So I got hired on with BMO to become an account manager, in personal financial services. I have an arts degree in History, and I'm really nervous about starting this job, I don't feel qualified. I never lied in my interview about my qualifications, I think they were interested in me because I was an account manager previously for a paper company, and was good at sales.

I don't know much about finance or accounting, is there anything I should do to prep before the job starts? Does anyone work as an account manager on RFD for a bank? What does your job entail? Thnx

[brucemeng]

its a sales position... u sell the bank's financial products... ur paper sales skills should transfer over fine

[UrbanPoet]

Yeah you'll be alright.
your job is to focus on sales, the administrative stuff can be learned over time.
If you can sell sell sell, then they'll be more then happy./

[sunnybono]

the bank will most likely have internal training courses avail. for new hires. Once you learn their products you better be ready to sell, sell, sell!!!!!!!

sk

[fred4]

thanks everyone. today was my first day and i simply job shadowed a CSR. I've been told I'll have to complete the IFIC from the ICB. Is this course difficult? Will i need to know a lot of finance or accounting? I don't know much about either of these. Thnx.

[UrbanPoet]

thanks everyone. today was my first day and i simply job shadowed a CSR. I've been told I'll have to complete the IFIC from the ICB. Is this course difficult? Will i need to know a lot of finance or accounting? I don't know much about either of these. Thnx.

Im guessing you work @ the branch level.

[fred4]

Im guessing you work @ the branch level.

yes.. training to be an account manager level 1.

[fred4]

thank you again to everyone for all your positive comments. fred

[V A N Q U I S H]

thanks everyone. today was my first day and i simply job shadowed a CSR. I've been told I'll have to complete the IFIC from the ICB. Is this course difficult? Will i need to know a lot of finance or accounting? I don't know much about either of these. Thnx.

Ah yes, a BMO branch, where the only training you get is to shadow someone and then they throw you in. This baptism by fire method at the branch level has to stop. Direct banking (call centre) has much better training, in a classroom, for at least 5 weeks (and we end up fixing all the mistakes you guys do at the branch). Do the accreditation, take your own time to do it because you will need it to supplement, your "training" at the branch. Either way an FSM1's duties is to create new accounts and wave at customers, it's the lowest level so you're not getting into anything heavy.

[dealtacular]

Ah yes, a BMO branch, where the only training you get is to shadow someone and then they throw you in. This baptism by fire method at the branch level has to stop. Direct banking (call centre) has much better training, in a classroom, for at least 5 weeks (and we end up fixing all the mistakes you guys do at the branch). Do the accreditation, take your own time to do it because you will need it to supplement, your "training" at the branch. Either way an FSM1's duties is to create new accounts and wave at customers, it's the lowest level so you're not getting into anything heavy.

Trust me, the branch ends up fixing many errors from direct banking as well. The problems with training and service are company-wide. Other banks, from what I've heard, have a similar love-hate thing between telephone and branch operations. Main issue is a lack of communication and interaction between these areas.

To the OP, it's really not that hard a job, just do the courses they give you. Take notes as you go along, this will be helpful when you can't remember things. Suck up to CSRs as they give you referrals. Look at the sales charts and see who is doing best. Ask a lot of questions to the senior staff, and also make an effort to know your FP.

[noob666]

Job is easy, as long as you good at sale.......but i can tell you the branch quota is ridiculous. if you are working in a busy branch then i guess you are set but if not.....good luck

course you need to finish i think is called PFP, it's not a hard course but it's really boring

[fred4]

thank you everyone. i'll get back to you in a couple of weeks with my experiences. i really appreciate your willingness to help. fred

[UrbanPoet]

Trust me, the branch ends up fixing many errors from direct banking as well. The problems with training and service are company-wide. Other banks, from what I've heard, have a similar love-hate thing between telephone and branch operations. Main issue is a lack of communication and interaction between these areas.

To the OP, it's really not that hard a job, just do the courses they give you. Take notes as you go along, this will be helpful when you can't remember things. Suck up to CSRs as they give you referrals. Look at the sales charts and see who is doing best. Ask a lot of questions to the senior staff, and also make an effort to know your FP.

I think the main thing is a lack of understanding of the branch level from the telephone reps...
I work @ the main desk of a bank, and wow.... I get the most ridiculous phone calls from the phone reps.

[V A N Q U I S H]

I think the main thing is a lack of understanding of the branch level from the telephone reps...
I work @ the main desk of a bank, and wow.... I get the most ridiculous phone calls from the phone reps.

Yeah, I guess it's both ways, I will admit that we have our own set of clowns at telephone banking. But what kills me is when branch managers call in to us asking for pointers on how to process certain things. The worst is when a CSR messes up royally and the branch is closed, we end up having to fend off the clients until the branch opens the next day.

[UrbanPoet]

Yeah, I guess it's both ways, I will admit that we have our own set of clowns at telephone banking. But what kills me is when branch managers call in to us asking for pointers on how to process certain things. The worst is when a CSR messes up royally and the branch is closed, we end up having to fend off the clients until the branch opens the next day.

Yeah... there are some really lazy phone reps that just "dump" everything on the branch that they could handle themselves...
eg... I got calls asking when CPP/OAS is deposited... thats on the service canada website! grrr.