If you’ve ever interviewed for a job at a bank, talked to a bank teller’s “supervisor”, or even opened or closed a bank account, you’ve probably dealt directly with a bank’s branch manager. They may have even approved your bank loan without your knowledge. Here’s information about their authority.
Bank Branch Manager Duties
The main job of the bank branch manager is to manage the everyday operations of the bank . For example, they may look over loan applications for an applicant, while supervising tellers, interviewing, and hiring job candidates.
Branch managers also handle customer issues/problems, report to the regional manager, and discipline employees if their branches policies are broken. From time to time, they will also open accounts (checking, savings, CDs, IRAs etc.).
That’s just an overview of what bank branch managers do, but it’s a good way to begin understanding what authority it provides to them.
Bank Branch Manager Authority
In terms of customer issues, the bank branch manager acts as the liaison to solve issues. For example, they may approve the removal of overdraft fees for a customer if they feel it will best assist the customer and the bank, or they may remove certain ATM fees, online banking fees and other charges if they see fit.
Branch managers have the authority in many cases to approve loans set forth by personal bankers. They may examine in more detail a borrower’s history and ability to pay and determine if specific loans should be approved or denied.
They may also open accounts for customers, including checking, savings, CDs, IRAs and other accounts. Typically, this is done by a personal banker. However, in various cases they may handle larger accounts or assist customers during business hours when wait times are longer.
Essentially, the branch manager is the last stop for customer complaints and services, allowing customers to fix issues that personal bankers are not allowed to fix or refuse to fix, while providing lending overrides and denials in certain cases.
Bank branch managers also determine who works for them by completing job interviews with qualified (and sometimes not-so qualified) candidates. It is up to these managers to determine who they hire to work with them. This process may include running background and credit checks , interviewing, completing all necessary new hire paperwork, and assigning training.
Branch managers may also need to discipline employees for failing to follow their branch’s policies. This may include write ups, suspensions, and ultimately firing employees for blatant violations of their bank’s policies.
Finally, bank branch managers may be given some authority to provide local donations as part of the bank’s outreach programs. While outreach is not always offered by every branch, if there is money available for sponsoring baseball teams, donating to charities, or for other purposes, it is typically the bank’s branch manager who provides these funds and other types of support.
Essentially, the bank branch manager serves the same role as a manager at most companies. They assist customers with issues, monitor and discipline employees, hire and fire employees, and work with local interest groups. They control the interests of the bank’s day-to-day business.
