High School

To prepare for a career as a branch manager, take as many business, economics, mathematics, statistics, and accounting classes as possible. English and speech classes will be extremely useful because as a branch manager you’ll constantly be communicating with your employees, higher-ups, and the general public face to face and in writing. Taking a foreign language—such as Spanish—will allow you to interact with customers who do not speak English fluently. Other important classes include computer science, psychology, advertising, marketing, history, and social studies.

Postsecondary Education

Some banks hire branch managers with only a high school diploma and some experience in management, banking, and financial service, but the majority of employers prefer applicants who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics, or business administration with an emphasis on accounting or finance. Most programs also require an internship at a bank, credit union, or other finance-related business.

Certification

The American Bankers Association (ABA) offers a branch manager certificate that covers banking essentials, business management, sales, and employee relations. To earn the certificate, applicants must complete 66 classes, including Banking Basics, Employment Law, Ethical Issues for Bankers, Fundamentals of Consumer Lending, Fundamentals of Small Business Banking, and Overcoming Objections. The ABA estimates that it will take 14 hours to complete the certificate program. Visit http://www.aba.com/training/dc/pages/bmcertificate.aspx for more information.

Other Education or Training

Participating in continuing education (CE) classes and webinars is a good way to keep your skills up to date and stay abreast of industry developments (e.g., new types of loans, new compliance-related legislation, etc.). The American Bankers Association is a major provider of CE opportunities. It offers diploma programs in financial management, bank operations, consumer banking, general banking, and other areas, as well as classes and webinars. The Independent Community Bankers of America’s Leadership Academy offers in-person classes and webinars that focus on topics such as communication, customer service, bank compliance, management and leadership, and financial operations for community banks. State and local banking associations also provide professional development opportunities. 

Certification or Licensing

Certification is offered by state-level banking associations. For example, the Michigan Bankers Association offers the branch manager certification to those who complete four educational sessions on topics such as customer service, sales lead generation, successfully managing employees, and online banking. The Michigan Bankers Association also offers certification. Visit https://www.aba.com/advocacy/state-association-alliance/state-association-contacts for a list of state-level banking associations.

Other Requirements

Some employers may require branch managers to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry.

Three to five years of experience in lower-level management positions, as well as sales and customer service experience, are required to work as a branch manager.

Branch managers have excellent math skills, a strong work ethic, a broad understanding of the banking industry, as well as unfailing organizational skills. Being a branch manager requires being attentive to detail and a tactful, even-tempered attitude. You can’t be too heavy handed when disciplining employees or address customer complaints. Other important traits include strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills; the ability to work in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment; and sales acumen and the ability to proactively solicit new business. Branch managers also need knowledge of all types of banking services, including consumer, business lending, and credit administration, as well as regulatory, policy, and compliance issues.