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 kind of Sales experience do you have?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker must be able to sell products. They will be responsible for bringing in new business and must be able to close the deal. You will want to know how they have done this in the past and what their approach is.

    Sample Answer: I have been successful in selling many different products. I am very comfortable talking to people about their financial needs and helping them find the right solution.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to close deals
    • - The ability to sell complex products
    • - The ability to sell many different products

  • Question: Where would you like to work?
  • Question Overview: This question is a bit of a trick question. You want to hire someone who is willing to work hard and who will be happy working at your bank. You do not want to hire someone who is going to be unhappy and will be looking for a new job as soon as they can. You will want to find out if the candidate has any preferences on where they would like to work.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to work anywhere that I can help your company succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to work hard
    • - Desire to work in the banking industry
    • - Willingness to travel

  • Question: How have you dealt with any abusive bosses in the past?
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will have to deal with the public and sometimes the public can be abusive. The candidate will need to demonstrate that they can handle difficult situations and not let them get to them. You want to see how they deal with a difficult situation and if they can keep their cool.

    Sample Answer: I have had a few customers who were abusive. I try to keep my cool and do not let them get to me. I have also had a boss who was abusive. I learned that I could not change him so I just kept my head down and did my job.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to maintain composure
    • - Thick skin
    • - Ability to walk away

  • Question: Why do you want to work in this role?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker's answer to this question will show you how they view their role in the bank. They may have a passion for helping people or a desire to be in the financial industry. You want to find a candidate who is excited about the job and has a strong desire to work in this role.

    Sample Answer: I have always wanted to work in the financial industry and I am excited to be able to help people with their finances.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for helping people
    • - Desire to work in the financial industry
    • - Desire to work in a customer-service oriented role

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you overcame a rejection at work.
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to deal with rejection on a regular basis. They will have to deal with customers who do not want to do business with them or who do not qualify for a loan. The candidate will need to demonstrate that they can handle rejection professionally and move on to the next customer.

    Sample Answer: When I was selling mortgages, I had a customer who was not ready to buy a house. I did not let that stop me from following up with them and eventually selling them a mortgage.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to move on from rejection
    • - Ability to handle rejection without taking it personally
    • - Ability to handle rejection without letting it affect their work

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to quickly adjust your priorities for the changing demand?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to deal with changing priorities. They will have to be flexible and able to adapt to the changing needs of their customers. You want to see how well they can adjust to these changes.

    Sample Answer: I had a client who was in the process of refinancing their home. They were in the middle of selling their home and needed a new mortgage. I had to quickly adjust my priorities and get them a new mortgage before they sold their home.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to adapt to changing priorities
    • - The ability to handle multiple tasks at once
    • - The ability to prioritize tasks

  • Question: Do you have any red flags in your background check?
  • Question Overview: A personal banker will have to undergo a background check. The candidate will have to be honest about any red flags in their background. If they are not honest, you will find out and that will reflect poorly on them. You want to hire someone who is honest and trustworthy.

    Sample Answer: I have no red flags in my background check.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Integrity

  • Question: What position are you applying for?
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will be selling many different products to many different types of customers. You will want to know how the candidate will handle selling to a wide variety of people.

    Sample Answer: I am applying for the personal banker position.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The ability to adapt to different situations
    • - The ability to sell to all types of people
    • - The ability to sell products that are not their favorite

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you acted one way and then wished you had done something else.
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to deal with many different types of people. They will have to be patient with some and aggressive with others. The candidate will need to be able to explain a situation where they did not act in the best interest of the customer. It is important that they are able to recognize this and explain how they would handle it differently in the future.

    Sample Answer: I once had a customer who was very upset about a recent transaction. I should have taken more time to listen to him and try to calm him down before I made any recommendations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to recognize their own mistakes
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes
    • - Willingness to admit mistakes

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
  • Question Overview: The personal banker will have to go above and beyond for customers. They will have to be willing to do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. You will want to hear about a time when the candidate went above and beyond for a customer.

    Sample Answer: One time I had a customer who was upset because she had not received a statement. I went out of my way to find her statement and then personally delivered it to her house.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to go out of their way for customers
    • - Dedication to customer service
    • - The ability to think on their feet