Good Company Overall, Sales Pressure Overwhelming
Pros
The people you work with day in and day out are great. More experienced people at other branches are always willing to help you out, and regularly reach out to give advice. HR is top notch (the recruiting/hiring/training) process is seamless and enjoyable. The pay is definitely low for what you are asked to do, but probably on par, or slightly above the industry average. Overall, I would recommend a friend to work for Fifth Third, but steer clear of retail, particularly the Personal Banker role.
Cons
No matter how many times in training they will say that Fifth Third is more customer based, and less sales-driven than other banks, it is simply not true. As a Personal Banker, you will get multiple calls each day from your Regional Manager asking why you are not hitting your daily numbers. In branch, the Financial Center Manager (FCM) will document every conversation you have, and every interaction is turned into a " coaching session". These will be later used against you, essentially digging yourself into a hole. The advice you receive from your FCM and Regional Manager will constantly contradict one another. They are not on the same page. No matter how good or smart of an employee you are, your FCM will not trust you, and you will be micromanaged to the largest degree. Each morning, I must send my manager my hourly schedule (10-11am I will be doing this, 11-12 I will be doing this, etc.). It truly does not make you feel like a "'professional", and after 5 years in the industry, it's very tough to be treated like a child. I understand having structure, but no one can, nor should be asked to work in this way. Speaking as a Personal Banker, count on working 2-3 nights per week after 7PM.
