Maturity, tact, and the ability to quickly explain bank procedures and services are important in helping customers complete transactions or make financial decisions. In general, banks prefer applicants who have had high school courses in mathematics, accounting, bookkeeping, economics, and public speaking. New tellers, especially at larger banks, receive at least 1 week of formal classroom training. In addition to instruction in basic duties, many banks now include extensive training in the bank's products and services so that tellers are able to make appropriate product referrals to customers communication and sales skills, and instruction on equipment such as ATM's and on-line video terminals. Often banks simultaneously train tellers for other clerical duties.
Advancement opportunities are good for well-trained, motivated employees.
Experienced tellers may advance to head teller, customer service representative, or new accounts clerk. Outstanding tellers who have had some college or specialized training offered by the banking industry may be promoted to a managerial position. Banks encourage this upward mobility by providing access to education and other sources of additional training. Tellers can prepare for better jobs by taking courses offered or accredited by the American Institute of Banking, an educational affiliate of the American Bankers Association, or the Institute of Financial Education. These organizations have several hundred chapters in cities across the country and numerous study groups in small communities, and they offer correspondence courses.