I’m new to the banking industry. I transitioned from food service, where I worked my way up to district manager. I’ve been a teller for six months and recently got promoted to level 2 banker.
I’d like some advice on how to earn further promotions and eventually move into lending. Any tips on getting started in lending or standing out in general would be much appreciated.
If you’re interested in lending, my advice is to build good relationships with underwriters and learn from them. They can teach you what makes a strong loan application. If you make a mistake, own it and correct it. Most importantly, share what you learn with others so everyone grows together.
If you want to pursue lending, commercial lending is a better long-term option—it pays more and is more stable. If that’s your goal, skip consumer lending and focus on finding a bank with a strong training program (though those are rare). Alternatively, aim for a credit analyst role, where you analyze financial statements. That’s a stepping stone to becoming an underwriter and eventually a lender. Make your ambitions clear to your managers; they may be able to connect you with training opportunities.
Can you do referrals, like suggesting credit cards or personal loans? It shows you understand the products and are comfortable engaging with clients to educate them on what your bank offers.