Pros
-Great pay -You always have tools and resources available in order to do your job efficiently -Opportunity to be part of Diverse groups (Business Relationship Group) -Training is a sufficient length of time.
Cons
-Training classes can be far away. -Trainers were often late and some classes were canceled last minute. -Having to depend on HIGH TRAFFIC in the branch to meet goals -Attending MAB (Membership Advantage Business) events to establish relationships with possible clients. The events I attended NEVER amounted to anything, only wasted time away from the branch without productivity. -Cold calling REQUIRED. -Call nights EVERY MONDAY NIGHT; no one answers the phone b/c you're calling AFTER business hours. -Although you have opportunity to join different groups, you d on't get the time to be a part of the virtual meetings due to branch needs coming first. -Some managers they hire have never had management experience, therefore making it VERY difficult to learn and get proper, clear direction. -Your "Ramp Up" time is supposed to be 3 months, however, in the 1 1/2 years I've been here, it's been an upwards of 8 months. This is unfair as you are continuously rewarded in the beginning because your goals are so low. It sets you up for failure when all of the sudden your goal is doubled. -Goals are set the same for each position, regardless of your branch traffic. -Each employee is REQUIRED to take 5 full, consecutive Vacation days in order to be audited. (Not applicable to year 1) -Your time away from work is NOT taken out of the equation to meet your goals. IE: Say YOU are scheduled 21 working days this month, but you have 5 vacation days scheduled. That leaves you with only 16 days to make your 2400 point goal. Good luck making 150 pts per DAY, EVERY day! -Having to fight for YOUR points and YOUR customers. You are told that you "own" a customer if you take "ownership" of them through your Financial Needs Assessment notes. You may have a customer waiting 30 minutes to see YOU, but if someone else talks them into sitting with THEM, they get points for anything they open. This is NOT fair if you are currently with a customer and someone else decides to walk in. I have even went as far as excusing myself and going to the lobby to let them know I would be a while and try to make an appointment, but they would want to stay and wait for me. (I strongly advise you to have your customers make appointments so this doesn't happen. Even though I say this, it has still happened.) -The most successful bankers are those who are the only ones in their branch or that have constant foot traffic in their branch! -BEFORE accepting a position at a particular branch, be sure to look into BRANCH RESULTS for the past 6-12 months. Also, look into the branch TURNOVER. I made the mistake of going by the word of the Regional when I asked "How well is the branch meeting their goals?" He said "Pretty well". I found out the branch I requested to move to hadn't met their goal since the current manager had been there (3rd quarter 2014). They had also been through 5 bankers in the past year due to management issues; employees terminated their employment. -You are not allowed a 15 min break. In my entire time working here, I have NEVER had a break, except while in training. Many times I was unable to take a lunch and many I couldn't take a full lunch. -Training & Compliance is required annually with a deadline, however, they always require you to complete courses early (due in November; must be completed by March). Note, there can be an upwards of 30 courses in one module. Plus, we were never given time away from duties to complete these. They had to be done during your lunch hour. -If you complain about an employee's practices enough, you will be told to mind your own business, even if it DOES affect you and your business. -Many people are not cut out for this job. If you do not like sitting in an office making cold calls- this isn't for you. Trust me! There's always one in the branch who will always be on their cell phone, surfing the internet, taking smoking breaks every time you turn around or just "hiding out" in the break room or bathroom. -Working with others who may say untrue things in order to get a customer to open a service or products, in which they are rewarded for because they are showing results. (IE: "I can get you a credit card for 0%" or "There are no fees for this account" without fully disclosing the requirements. -I've seen many bankers practicing unethical behaviors (in different branches) and have reported each of them to management and HR with supporting evidence, however, they ALL currently still work for the bank and continue such practices. Even as far as talking elderly customers (75+, possibly mentally incapable of making decisions) into credit products, opening (10) $1000 CD's instead of (1) $10k CD, etc. Note: This list could go on all day.