8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Knew -Thrifty Nifty Mommy (2024)

By: Author Janice

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My mother worked at a bank, my aunt worked at a bank, my sister worked at a bank, and I have worked at a bank now for quite a few years. There are many things you may be curious about. What goes on behind the scenes of the teller line? Do they just sit around in their chairs and count money? Well, I’m about to spill the beans on all the dirty, money secrets!

Read on…

8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Would Know

1) Please, bring your deposit tickets. I cannot tell you how many times a day I would write a deposit ticket for a customer. Is it checking or savings? I probably mutter those words in my sleep. Nothing is more valuable than either A) knowing your account number and filling it out on a slip OR B) having your pre-printed deposit ticket ready to go! Your account number is individualized. That is YOUR account. Not only does it save time for both you and the teller, but it also leaves no room for error when you have the number ready for the teller behind the line. Most banks will even order your deposit tickets for you-at no charge!

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2) Send in your photo ID whenever you are receiving cash or a balance. There are so many instances I can remember where I would ask someone for their ID and they would get upset with me for asking. If you do not know the teller by name, chances are they do not know you! Tellers see hundreds of faces every day-they cannot remember every one. They do not ask for your ID to be annoying, they ask because they are looking out for you. Sending in your debit card is nota photo ID; it actually does not help, except for telling them the name on the account.

3) A checkbook register is your best friend. You may wonder what people did to keep track of their balances and purchases before the time of telephone, internet, text, and mobile banking. Well, they used something called a checkbook register and chances are your bank also offers these for free. While checking your account online is a wonderful way to remind you of purchases, some transactionsdo not always come through the moment you swipe that card, nor does it keep track of that check you wrote out a month ago that has yet to be cashed.

4) When a teller greets you in the lobby and politely says, “We will be with you in a moment” is not an invitation to walk up to their teller window and wait. Usually when a teller says this, it means that they see you, but are currently occupied and will be with you in a moment. They do not like you waiting at theirwindow, because chances are they have other customer’s informationat their station. They are trying to protect the other customer’s privacy, just as you would want them to protect yours.

5) They like to go home at a reasonable time, too. Please, try not to wait until 2 minutes before the bank is supposed to close to bring your large transaction. If you have ever worked retail, it’s kind of like that customer that walks into the store a few minutes before closing time when you’ve already gotten everything ready for you to leave.

6) A bank teller does not control fees-nor do they have any “power” in changing them. They do not set the amount of the fee a bank charges for an overdraft, a wire, an official check, a return check, or a early closeout. If you walk into the bank, wanting to get a fee refunded, ask to see the manager.

7) Personal checks are usually cheaper if you order them from a company not through the bank. Do your research when you order checks. Call your bank to see how much it costs you to go through their check ordering company, then check online. You can even order checks through Amazon now. Don’t use checks that often but want to have some just in case? Most banks offer “variety packs,” which consist of around 50 checks of different graphics. It never hurts to have a few on hand. A lot of gyms and places of employment like to use at least one voided check to get your routing and account number.

8) A routing and account number – how do I know which is which?! When looking at your checks, there should be 3 sets of numbers at the bottom. One is the check number (which should also be the top right number in the corner too), and then two other (longer) numbers. Your routing number will always be the number between the smiley faces. Didn’t know you had smiley faces on your checks?! Give it a look! The bottom of your check will look something like this:

|: 050110203 |: 05697656 00101 See the smiley face now?

Do you currently or have you worked at a bank? Do you feel like I missed something important?

Do you still have lingering questions about banking? Ask me and I’ll try to answer as best as possible!

As always, thank you for reading! Like what I write? The biggest compliment you can give me is to refer my writing to a friend, share it on your Facebook, or Pin it! on your Pinterest

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8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Knew -Thrifty Nifty Mommy (2024)

FAQs

What does a bank teller have to know? ›

Normally, a head teller or another experienced teller trains them. During this training, tellers learn how to balance cash drawers and verify signatures. They also learn the computer software that their bank uses and the financial products and services the bank offers.

Why do bank tellers ask so many questions? ›

On top of protecting users, all financial institutions have a legal duty to ask questions to ensure there are no unlawful issues or money laundering occurring within their branches. A financial professional would never assume illegal activity is occurring.

What is a bank answers? ›

A bank is a financial institution licensed to receive deposits and make loans. Banks may also provide financial services, such as wealth management, currency exchange and safe deposit boxes. There are two types of banks: commercial/retail banks and investment banks.

Can bank tellers see your statement? ›

Anytime you access your business banking account at a branch, your bank teller can see your account information, including: Your balance. Transaction history. Credit products, such as personal lines of credit, credit cards, etc.

What is the most important skill for a bank teller? ›

What are the top skills of bank tellers?
  • Mathematics and numeracy.
  • Finance rules and procedures.
  • Knowledge of bank standards and processes.
  • Cash drawer maintenance.
  • Accuracy.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Written and verbal communication.
  • Interpersonal skills.
Aug 1, 2023

What is the hardest part of being a bank teller? ›

Bank Tellers often face a fast-paced environment, managing financial transactions with precision while providing excellent customer service. Stress can arise from handling large sums of money, adhering to strict security protocols, and dealing with diverse customer needs.

What annoys bank tellers? ›

Let's go!
  • #1 You don't know your account number. ...
  • #2 You don't know the last check you wrote. ...
  • #3 You cut in line. ...
  • #4 Yes, tellers have to take their lunches. ...
  • #5 You want a loan for $20,000. ...
  • #6 …Or you do have a lot of money and are a valued customer of the bank.
Jan 4, 2021

Why do banks ask why you're withdrawing cash? ›

Withdrawals over $10,000 may trigger Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing red flags and cause the bank to ask questions about your cash. These should be pretty easy to answer and leave with your money. For withdrawals under $10,000 there is less reason for the bank to want to know why you want your own cash.

How do you nail a bank teller interview? ›

During the interview, be prepared to provide specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role. Show enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic. And also, don't neglect your appearance because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

What is secret question in banking? ›

Secret questions usually ask for an obscure fact that hopefully only the account owner would know and supposedly would never forget. Many Web sites assume that the user providing the answer to the question is sufficient to identify the user.

Why do I want to work at a bank answer? ›

"I am interested in banking because it's a good match for my hard-working and highly ambitious nature. I have always enjoyed pushing myself and being part of an environment that celebrates hard work. Being surrounded by intelligent, driven peers also inspires me to do my best work.

What are the five most important banking services? ›

The 5 most important banking services are checking and savings accounts, loan and mortgage services, wealth management, providing Credit and Debit Cards, Overdraft services. You can read about the Types of Banks in India – Category and Functions of Banks in India in the given link.

Can a bank deny you access to your money? ›

A bank account freeze means you can't take or transfer money out of the account. Bank accounts are typically frozen for suspected illegal activity, a creditor seeking payment, or by government request. A frozen account may also be a sign that you've been a victim of identity theft.

Can I write a check to myself with no money in my account? ›

Can you legally write a check to yourself? Yes, it is legal to write a check to yourself, as long as you're not writing the check for more money than you have in the bank. It would be illegal to write a check for more funds than you have and then try to cash it.

Will the bank ask where you got money? ›

If you've had this happen before, it can feel like quite an invasion of privacy. Even if you've not done anything wrong, it can feel like you're being somewhat interrogated, which isn't a nice feeling for anybody. The short answer to this question is: Yes, a bank can ask you where you got your money from.

How do I prepare to be a bank teller? ›

If you'd like to become a bank teller, you can follow these steps:
  1. Pursue education. Earn your high school diploma or GED and consider taking advanced math courses in accounting or statistics. ...
  2. Gain relevant experience. ...
  3. Consider certification. ...
  4. Build your resume.
Jan 26, 2023

Is it hard to be hired as a bank teller? ›

The teller position in a bank is generally an entry-level position open to high school graduates. Most successful job applicants have records of high performance in other jobs that include substantial customer service components.

Is it hard being a bank teller? ›

Bank Tellers in busy branches with high customer traffic may experience more stress, especially during peak hours when they must handle numerous transactions quickly. 2. Handling large sums of money and complex transactions can add stress.

How to pass a bank teller interview? ›

During the interview, be prepared to provide specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role. Show enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic. And also, don't neglect your appearance because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

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