New Accounts Clerks

On the Job

Overview

New accounts clerks interview people who want to open bank accounts.


One of a child's favorite activities is pretending to be a grown-up. Children love to play dress-up, hold tea parties, play house, even play bank. It's common for kids to write pretend checks and deposit play money. Understandably, it's exciting when children are old enough to have their very own bank account. Whether you're young or old, opening a bank account is a common task.New accounts clerks gather information from people who want to open bank accounts or rent safe deposit boxes. They help customers complete their application forms. Then clerks verify the information on the applications and enter it in the computer. If necessary, they obtain applicants' credit records. In addition to gathering information, clerks answer applicants' questions and explain the bank's services. They also file the applicants' forms and documents. They may refer customers to other bank employees for more complex financial matters.

When accounts are approved, clerks collect deposits and fees from customers. They record these transactions and give customers receipts. If account owners want to transfer funds from another bank, clerks set up those transfers. If customers find errors with their accounts, clerks investigate their claims and correct the errors.

When customers are approved for safe deposit boxes, clerks give them keys. They also admit customers to the vaults where the safe deposit boxes are kept. In addition, when customers lose their keys, clerks help them get new copies. If the locks on safe deposit boxes do not work, clerks schedule repairs.

Clerks may sometimes act as tellers when needed. They may help customers who wish to travel overseas by issuing traveler's checks. They may also change American money into foreign currency.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Interview customers to obtain information needed to open accounts or rent safe-deposit boxes.
• Help customers complete application forms.
• Answer customers' questions and explain available services. Refer to other bank employees when necessary.
• Obtain credit records.
• Enter account information into computers. File forms and documents.
• Collect and record fees and deposits from customers. Issue receipts.
• Make wire transfers of funds.
• Investigate and correct errors upon customers' request.
• Issue initial and replacement safe-deposit keys to customers. Admit customers to vault.
• Schedule safe-deposit lock repairs.
• May sell traveler's checks and convert dollars to foreign currency.
• Obtain credit reports.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Use computers.
• Work with the public.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Process information.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Communicate with people from outside the organization.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Perform administrative tasks.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Document and record information.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Coach others.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with customers, credit agencies, and other staff.
• Communicate by telephone, letters and memos, e-mail, and in person on a daily basis.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situation where people might become rude or angry. Customers may be unhappy if they are denied an account, for example.
• Are somewhat responsible for the results done by other workers.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

Physical Work Conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work near others. They often share the same office space.

Work Performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could keep applicants from opening accounts.
• Make decisions that greatly impact their employer and customers on a daily basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor first.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere. They must abide by strict daily and weekly deadlines.
• Repeat the same activities, such as talking on the phone and processing applications.

Hours/Travel

• May work full time or part time. Most work full time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.