Top Personal Banker Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Personal Banker interview by going through these most asked Personal Banker interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: What is inflation and how does it affect the economy?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to be able to explain the basics of inflation to clients. They will need to know how it affects the economy and how it affects the value of money. The personal banker will need to be able to explain this in layman's terms so that clients can understand.

    Sample Answer: Inflation is an increase in the general level of prices for goods and services. Inflation is caused by an increase in the money supply.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Understanding of the basics of inflation
    • - Ability to explain it in layman's terms
    • - Knowledge of how it affects the economy

  • Question: How comfortable are you lending to affluent clients?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker must be comfortable working with clients who have a lot of money. They will be called upon to sell them financial products. The personal banker will need to be able to handle the pressure of selling to these clients and not let it affect their judgment.

    Sample Answer: I am very comfortable working with affluent clients. I have worked with many of them in the past and have always been able to build a good relationship with them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell to affluent clients
    • - Comfort with high-net-worth clients
    • - Willingness to learn about the products that are sold to them

  • Question: How would you define good customer service?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will be the face of your company. They will be the one who greets customers and makes them feel at home. They will be the one who is there to answer questions and help them with their financial needs. You want to find a personal banker who will be able to provide good customer service.

    Sample Answer: Good customer service is when the customer leaves feeling like they received the right product for their needs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to make customers feel comfortable
    • - The ability to explain complex products in simple terms
    • - The ability to listen and understand customer needs

  • Question: Tell me about a time you didn't meet your sales target, and what did you do next?
  • Question Overview: Personal bankers are expected to meet sales targets. If they do not meet their targets, they will not be able to keep their jobs. The candidate will have to explain what they did to get back on track. You will want to hear that they took the initiative to find new customers and sell more products.

    Sample Answer: I did not meet my sales target last month. I had a few customers who were difficult to reach and I was not able to reach them in time. I decided to call them again and left a message. I also went out of my way to visit them in person and was able to sell them the products they needed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The ability to take initiative
    • - The ability to learn from mistakes
    • - The ability to work independently

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team.
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will be working with other employees of the bank. They must be able to work well with others and not be a disruptive force. You will want to know how the candidate interacts with others and how they handle stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I have always been part of a team. I have worked in a team environment since I started my first job.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Teamwork skills
    • - Ability to work well under pressure
    • - Ability to handle stressful situations

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will be selling your company's products. They will be representing your company and will be the face of the company to many customers. You want to make sure that they are dedicated to your company and that they want to work for you.

    Sample Answer: I have been a loyal customer of this bank for many years. I am very impressed with the way you run your business and I would love to be a part of it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Dedication to the company
    • - Passion for the job
    • - Desire to work for a specific manager

  • Question: How will you handle an angry customer?
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will have to deal with angry customers. It is part of the job. You will want to know how the candidate handles these situations. They must remain calm and not let the customer get to them. They must be able to diffuse the situation and keep it from escalating.

    Sample Answer: I always try to remain calm when dealing with angry customers. I try to listen to their concerns and address them in a way that keeps them from getting even angrier.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Tactfulness in diffusing a situation
    • - Ability to walk away

  • Question: Why should we hire you over other candidates?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to sell themselves to the interviewer. They will have to convince the interviewer that they are the best candidate for the job. The candidate will need to highlight their strengths and explain why they are the best choice.

    Sample Answer: I am a hard worker and I am always willing to go the extra mile for my clients. I am also very knowledgeable about financial products and I am committed to continuing my education.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-confidence
    • - Ability to sell themselves
    • - Confidence in their abilities

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that you will find in many job interviews. The candidate will have to think on their feet and come up with a weakness that is not a weakness. You want to hear that the candidate is self-aware and knows their weaknesses.

    Sample Answer: I am a perfectionist. I always want to do my best and sometimes I can be too hard on myself.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A self-aware candidate
    • - A candidate who is honest
    • - A candidate who can turn a weakness into a strength

  • Question: Why did you choose banking as your career?
  • Question Overview: The candidate's answer to this question will give you a sense of their career goals. You want to hire someone who is committed to the industry and has a passion for it. If they are just looking for a job, they may not be as dedicated as you would like.

    Sample Answer: I have always been interested in finance and have always been fascinated by the stock market. I enjoy helping people manage their finances.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A genuine interest in the industry
    • - A desire to help customers
    • - A desire to work with people

  • Question: What are your plans for the future?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will be working with clients for a long time. You want to know that they are committed to the job and will not leave in a year or two. The candidate should have a clear vision of where they see themselves in the future.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a personal banker for many years to come. I am committed to this position and I am excited about the opportunities it offers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A clear vision of the future
    • - A desire to grow within the company
    • - A desire to learn and advance

  • Question: What is a time when you had to handle a difficult situation?
  • Question Overview: Personal bankers are in the service industry and will have to deal with difficult customers. You will want to know how they handle these situations. The personal banker must be able to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. They must also be able to diffuse a situation before it escalates.

    Sample Answer: I had a customer who was upset because the bank had made a mistake on her account. I was able to calm her down and explain that the bank would fix the problem.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to diffuse a situation
    • - Tact and diplomacy
    • - Ability to walk away from a situation

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with stress.
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will have to deal with stressful situations. They will have to deal with angry customers and will have to make quick decisions. You want to know how they handle stress.

    Sample Answer: I was working at a bank where we were short-staffed and the phones were ringing off the hook. I had to deal with angry customers who were calling in and I had to make a decision on how to handle it. I was able to stay calm and make the right decision.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to stay calm under pressure
    • - Ability to think clearly in stressful situations
    • - Ability to remain focused

  • Question: Why did you choose to work in this field?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to be passionate about the job. They will have to be able to deal with people all day long, and they will have to be able to handle the stress of the job. You want to make sure that the personal banker is not just in it for the money.

    Sample Answer: I have always been interested in finance and helping people. I enjoy being able to help people with their finances and make their lives easier.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the industry
    • - Desire to help people
    • - Desire to work in a service industry

  • Question: How does your current job prepare you to work in this position?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will be responsible for building relationships with customers. The candidate must be able to explain how their current job has given them the skills to succeed in this position.

    Sample Answer: My current job has given me the opportunity to build relationships with many different types of people. I have learned how to work with people from all walks of life.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in building relationships
    • - Ability to work with different types of people
    • - Experience in a customer-service oriented job

  • Question: Why do you want to be a personal banker?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can reveal a lot about the candidate. If they are not excited about being a personal banker, then they will not be a good fit. You want to find someone who is passionate about the job and wants to help people.

    Sample Answer: I have always wanted to work in a customer-focused environment. I want to help people make their financial dreams come true.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Excitement about the job
    • - Passion for helping people
    • - Desire to work in a customer-focused environment

  • Question: How comfortable are you in selling products?
  • Question Overview: Personal bankers are expected to sell products. They will be expected to sell the products that they know and also be able to sell other products that they are not familiar with. You will want to know how comfortable the candidate is in selling products.

    Sample Answer: I am very comfortable in selling products. I have always been a people person and I enjoy helping people with their finances.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Comfort level in selling products
    • - Willingness to learn about new products
    • - Ability to sell complex products

  • Question: How do you get coaching and development at your current position?
  • Question Overview: Personal bankers are expected to be self-starters. They will need to be able to learn on their own and develop their skills without much guidance. You will want to know how they go about learning new skills and what they do to improve their performance.

    Sample Answer: I have a mentor at my current bank who helps me with my development. I also read up on the latest in financial products and attend seminars.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-motivation
    • - Desire to improve
    • - Willingness to take initiative

  • Question: What do you like about your current job?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to work with many different people. The candidate will have to be able to work with people from different backgrounds and personalities. You will want to know how the candidate interacts with others.

    Sample Answer: I enjoy the variety of my job. I get to meet new people every day and help them with their financial needs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate's ability to work with others
    • - The candidate's ability to work in a team
    • - The candidate's ability to work independently

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a system change?
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will have to deal with many system changes. They will have to learn the new system and get up to speed on the new procedures. The candidate will have to explain how they handled this change and what they learned from it.

    Sample Answer: When the bank introduced a new online banking system, I was a little nervous about learning it. However, I was able to adapt quickly and learn the new system in a short amount of time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The ability to adapt
    • - The ability to learn quickly
    • - The ability to handle change well