A personal banker interacts directly with customers, advising them on financial matters relating to savings, account openings, securities and investments, as well as carrying out clerical duties. These professionals also sell bank products and services to customers. A personal banker works in a busy environment with regular customer traffic throughout the day. Working as a personal banker has both challenges and advantages.

Building Social Skills

A typical day in the bank involves meeting people from diverse cultures. You get to talk to a lot of people and assist them with their financial problems. For example, you inform customers about the different programs offered by the bank, such as opening a certificate of deposit or money market account that may help them to make more money than in an ordinary savings account. The daily interaction with customers makes it important for a personal banker to develop confidence and build social skills.

Benefits and Compensation

Most personal bankers, whether working on part-time or full-time, are entitled to a number of benefits. Most banks offer comprehensive medical coverage for both inpatient and outpatient services. In addition, the bank may offer vision and dental coverage. Personal bankers also get retirement benefits through a 401(k) whereby the bank matches part of or all of every dollar invested. Personal bankers are also entitled to a paid vacation of at least two weeks, a children's college saving plan and tuition assistance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median salary for personal bankers and financial advisers was $64,750 in 2010.

Learning and Training

A personal banker undergoes weeks of intensive trainiprovided by the institution on accounts, interest rates, loans offered, projected trends and financial products and services. It is through this training that a personal banker learns about the specific services and products offered by the financial institution, and this helps him to advise clients appropriately. Personal banker training may also include communication skills, because they interact directly with customers. During their daily interaction with customers, personal bankers also learn a lot about finances, investments, accounting and securities.

Building Personal Skills

Bankers undergo rigorous training on all aspects of finance and banking. By dealing with other people’s money, bankers learn the virtue of integrity and honesty. Bankers must also record all transactions accurately, balance all the accounts and protect the confidentially of information. If a banker decides to change jobs, he can use all the skills that he has acquired in the new position. Employers usually give priority to people with prior experience of working in a bank when they are filling banking and finance jobs. Bankers' personal attributes such as honesty, reliability, confidentiality and integrity are essential in any job.