Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Banking Advisor Intern

💰 $30,000 - $45,000 (annual pro-rated; varies by region)

BankingInternshipCustomer ServiceFinanceRetail Banking

🎯 Role Definition

The Banking Advisor Intern supports branch or contact center teams by delivering high-quality customer service, assisting with account administration, performing basic transactional duties, participating in sales and service conversations, and learning compliance and risk controls. This role is designed to develop foundational skills in retail banking, digital banking adoption, customer relationship management, product knowledge (deposits, cards, loans), and regulatory procedures (KYC, AML). Successful interns demonstrate strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive learning mindset.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University student (undergraduate or postgraduate) studying Finance, Business, Economics, or related fields
  • Customer service or retail positions seeking transition into financial services
  • Campus recruitment or scholarship internship pipelines

Advancement To:

  • Banking Advisor / Personal Banker
  • Relationship Manager (Retail)
  • Consumer Lending Specialist
  • Branch Sales Supervisor
  • Financial Services Associate

Lateral Moves:

  • Teller or Branch Operations Specialist
  • Contact Center Customer Service Representative
  • Digital Banking Support Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Greet customers in branch and via phone/chat, actively listening to their needs and providing clear, friendly guidance on banking products and services including checking/savings accounts, debit/credit cards, and digital banking features.
  • Assist customers with account opening and closing processes, ensuring accurate completion of application forms, proper identification collection, and secure handling of personal information in compliance with bank policies.
  • Conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) verifications and support Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures by collecting documentation, flagging suspicious activities, and escalating compliance concerns to the appropriate risk or compliance teams.
  • Process routine banking transactions including deposits, withdrawals, transfers, check cashing and check deposits while maintaining accuracy, balancing cash drawers, and following cash-handling controls.
  • Provide product information and cross-sell relevant bank products by identifying customer needs, proposing appropriate solutions (e.g., savings plans, credit cards, personal loans), and referring opportunities to senior advisors or sales teams.
  • Support onboarding of customers to digital channels (mobile banking, online banking), demonstrating app features, assisting with initial login setup, and troubleshooting basic digital access issues.
  • Maintain and update customer records in the bank’s CRM system, logging interactions, follow-up actions, and outcomes with clear and compliant notes to support relationship continuity.
  • Participate in branch sales and service campaigns, helping to meet individual and branch performance targets through outbound calling, scheduled appointments, and in-branch consultations.
  • Respond to customer inquiries and resolve routine service issues such as card replacements, PIN resets, stop-payment requests, and statement inquiries, escalating complex cases to senior staff when required.
  • Support account maintenance tasks including address updates, beneficiary changes, signature verification, and periodic account reviews as part of standard service operations.
  • Assist with basic lending support activities, such as collecting initial documentation for personal loan and mortgage applications, preparing preliminary loan files, and coordinating with underwriting or credit teams.
  • Execute accurate data entry and documentation for compliance, ensuring all customer interactions and transactions are traceable and meet internal audit standards and external regulatory requirements.
  • Observe and participate in branch risk management activities, including daily reconciliations, suspicious activity reporting procedures, and support with internal control checks.
  • Shadow experienced advisors during client appointments, learning consultative sales techniques, needs-based conversations, and how to structure financial recommendations tailored to customer goals.
  • Participate in quality assurance and call monitoring reviews, incorporating feedback to improve customer interactions and adherence to bank scripting and compliance requirements.
  • Prepare and distribute branch communications, marketing materials, and product literature to customers and community events as part of customer acquisition and retention efforts.
  • Handle inbound customer service calls and live chats, using the bank’s phone and digital platforms to resolve queries efficiently while meeting service-level objectives.
  • Support account reconciliation tasks and assist with basic reporting tasks such as preparing daily transaction logs, exception reports, and summarizing branch activity for management review.
  • Aid in fraud prevention by recognizing unusual account activity, verifying customer identity for suspicious requests, and collaborating with fraud or security teams to protect customer assets.
  • Contribute to process improvement initiatives by documenting repetitive customer issues, suggesting workflow optimizations, and participating in pilot programs for new tools or digital features.
  • Demonstrate strict confidentiality and data protection practices in all customer interactions and documentation to protect customer privacy and comply with data privacy laws and bank policies.
  • Assist with administrative and operational tasks such as filing, scanning, preparing customer correspondence, and maintaining branch supply inventories to ensure smooth daily operations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support outbound outreach programs and customer retention initiatives by contacting targeted customers to renew products, remind about dormant accounts, or invite them to financial literacy events.
  • Participate in community engagement and campus recruitment events to promote the bank’s brand, internship programs, and product awareness.
  • Contribute to training materials and knowledge base updates by summarizing frequently asked questions and effective troubleshooting steps observed during customer interactions.
  • Assist with pilot testing of new digital features, providing user feedback to product teams and documenting common usability issues.
  • Support basic analysis of customer feedback and service metrics to help branch teams identify areas for improvement and training needs.
  • Help coordinate appointment scheduling, follow-ups, and handoffs between customer-facing teams and specialist units (mortgage, investments, business banking).
  • Support senior advisors with preparation of onboarding packages, disclosure forms, and educational materials related to responsible banking and budgeting.
  • Aid in reconciliation of ATM cash and lodgment records during peak periods under supervision, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Assist with ad-hoc reporting requests for branch management such as customer segmentation lists, cross-sell opportunity logs, and basic transaction trend summaries.
  • Participate in mentoring circles and peer feedback sessions to continuously develop customer service, sales, and compliance competencies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software proficiency (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics CRM, or bank-specific CRM) — accurate logging and follow-up tracking.
  • Fundamental knowledge of retail banking products and services including checking/savings accounts, cards, consumer loans, and basic investment products.
  • Basic understanding of KYC, AML, FATCA, and other regulatory requirements applicable to account opening and transaction monitoring.
  • Cash handling and reconciliation skills, including experience or training in balancing registers and basic tills.
  • Proficiency with digital banking platforms and mobile banking features; ability to guide customers through digital onboarding and troubleshooting.
  • Data entry accuracy and comfort with transaction processing systems, online forms, and secure document uploads.
  • MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook) — capable of preparing simple reports and correspondence.
  • Familiarity with branch banking operations and workflows, including front-line service metrics and escalation protocols.
  • Basic numeracy skills and comfort reviewing account statements, transaction histories, and simple calculations.
  • Knowledge of privacy and data protection best practices when handling sensitive customer information.

Soft Skills

  • Professional, empathetic verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain financial products in plain language.
  • Strong customer-service orientation and active listening skills to understand needs and provide tailored solutions.
  • High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when processing transactions, documentation, and compliance checks.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot issues and escalate appropriately when necessary.
  • Time management and multitasking capability to handle peak branch periods and manage follow-up tasks.
  • Sales aptitude and consultative selling approach while maintaining ethical standards and customer-first values.
  • Team player mentality with openness to feedback, coaching, and continuous learning.
  • Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment with evolving product, regulatory, and digital landscapes.
  • Professionalism and integrity, maintaining confidentiality and trust with customers and colleagues.
  • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with diverse customer populations; multilingual skills are a plus.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; actively enrolled in or recently completed undergraduate studies preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree (completed or in progress) in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Information Systems with a focus on financial applications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–2 years; ideal for students seeking internships, recent graduates, or candidates with retail/customer service experience.

Preferred:

  • Previous internship or part-time experience in banking, retail sales, customer service, call centers, or financial services support roles. Experience with CRM systems, cash handling, or compliance-related tasks preferred but not mandatory for entry-level candidates.
Explore More Careers