The banking industry is a whole ecosystem, that spreads from the local to the global, from the individual customer to the high-stakes world of company mergers. If you’re a wizard with numbers, a strategic thinker, a people person, or have an analytical mind with an eye for detail – there are careers in banking waiting for you. Let’s deposit 10 ideas in your memory bank to get the ball rolling.
#1 Personal banker
In this role you’ll establish and nurture close relationships with clients of your institution. It’s about providing the personal touch. You’ll strive to understand each customer’s financial goals, needs, and preferences to provide personalised service and support to help them flourish. Moreover, you could be involved in account management by moving funds to generate the best returns for a client. Also, you could provide advice on investing, saving and retirement planning. And you will sell a variety of banking products and services to meet the needs of your customers – so everyone makes money.
#2 Data analyst
It’s the digital age, in banking as much as any other industry. So if you really like to crunch the numbers and dig into the data, this one’s for you. You’ll gather and organise data from various sources within the bank, including transaction records, customer information, market data, and external sources. You’ll then use statistical analysis and data modelling techniques to identify trends, correlations and exceptions. This analysis can be used to guide decision making, optimise customer experience, manage risk, detect fraud or report on performance.
Did you know? Study our Bachelor of Business1 or Bachelor of Computer Science and you’ll have the opportunity to gain real work experience through our paid internship program with IBM Australia.
#3 Risk analyst
As a risk analyst you’ll be responsible for assessing, analysing and managing various types of risks that the bank may face in its operations. The list of potential perils is long, including credit risk, market risk, operational risk, liquidity risk and compliance risk. In this role, you’ll analyse data, identify vulnerabilities in banking systems, recommend and manage control systems to reduce the likelihood of risks actually coming to pass, and ensure there is no risk that the bank falls foul of regulation. You might also be involved in stress testing – simulating various scenarios to evaluate the potential impact of things like adverse economic conditions and market shocks on the bank’s financial health.
#4 Compliance officer
A compliance officer is responsible for ensuring that the bank adheres to all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies to prevent financial crimes, maintain regulatory compliance, and uphold ethical standards. You’ll be heading off legal and reputational risks at the pass. Compliance officers are involved in the development, review and implementation of compliance policies, procedures and controls within the bank, as well as training employees in those procedures.
#5 Wealth manager
Fancy one of the careers in banking that focuses on HNWIs? In case you’re wondering, that’s ‘high net worth individuals’. As a wealth manager, you might also work with business or families, but the thing they will have in common is money. Lots of it. You’ll advise them on investments – and may even manage their portfolio for them – estate planning and tax compliance (especially in this age of global commerce). Think of it like creating a roadmap to help people achieve their financial goals.
#6 Credit analyst
In this role you’ll be investigator, judge and jury when it comes to whether to lend money. Essentially, you assess the credit worthiness of individuals and businesses to determine how risky it would be for the bank to lend them money. You’ll look into key metrics to determine the health of a potential borrower’s financial situation, provide risk analysis, factor in larger market trends, and devise suitably structured and priced loans based on your conclusions.
#7 Investment banker
In this banking career you’ll be responsible for helping clients raise capital and facilitate mergers and acquisitions. You’ll also provide strategic advice on corporate finance and market transactions. As an investment banker, you’ll be there from the start, working on valuations, identifying buyers and sellers, structuring deals, and also advising on negotiation tactics. You’re the trusted adviser of corporate clients, institutional investors and private equity firms. You’re important.
#8 Fraud analyst
The clue’s in the name; you’ll be looking for clues that suggest fraudulent activity within an organisation. You’re on the protection beat, making sure assets, resources – and reputation – are secure. You’ll investigate transactions, looking for irregularities. Analyse data and patterns in the movement of money to identify suspicious activity. And pursue the wrongdoers when you find a case of financial crime. It’s a role that requires collaboration across an institution, as well as a hand in fraud prevention strategies.
Did you know? If you're keen to find out more about working in fraud, we have a suite of financial crime micro-credentials you can take to get a taste of this fascinating field.
#9 Treasury analyst
Cash. Pretty much all careers in banking involve it. But a treasury analyst is super-involved with the cheddar. In this role, you keep the cash flowing, ensuring that an institution has enough liquidity to meet both its day-to-day operations, and its strategic goals. You’ll combine risk management, forecasting, investment management and debt assessment to keep the company running – and making money.
#10 Operations manager
Get on the floor. By which we mean, of course, work as an operations manager and oversee the quotidian operations of a bank or department. This role is all about ensuring efficiency, compliance, and also delivering customer satisfaction. And helping staff do the best job. You’ll make sure policies and procedures are followed correctly. Optimise workflows for peak performance. Oversee professional development for your team. Communicate effectively. And make sure that the end user – the bank customer – gets the service, products and security they need.
Careers in banking start with a bachelor’s
Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Business opens doors to careers in banking. You can choose to major in finance, so you gain top-notch skills in everything from fund management and investment to law, planning and how financial institutions operate. What’s more you’re totally in control of your degree. Study full-time or part-time. And choose to learn online or combine online and on-campus study (we call it blended learning).
Did you know? You could get a place in our Bachelor of Business based on your soft skills – and before you sit your final exams. Check out the Charles Sturt Advantage.
Chat to our team of uni advisers for more info.
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