Commercial Banker

Commercial banks increasingly regard themselves as marketing-minded service businesses. They offer a wide variety of services to companies and consumers.  The position of  Commercial Banker Relationship Manager is currently very valued in the sector as banks compete to attract clients.

The relationship manager has to understand clients' businesses as well as their needs. More importantly, the relationship manager needs to ensure that there is a positive relationship between the clients and the bank. 

Sample Companies:

The companies hiring are any major bank. Some examples are:

JP Morgan Chase
Bank of America
Citigroup
Wells Fargo
HSBC
PNC Financial Services Group
Fifth Third

Most banks, especially the larger ones, will prefer to hire from within after completing their training programs.

Salary:

Annual earnings of commercial bankers vary greatly depending on certifications and skills. They can range anywhere with the bottom 10% being at around $70,000 and the top 90% being about $124,905. The median salary is $92,768.  

How to get there:

You will need a college degree and a background in econ, finance, or business. Although graduate school is not required, a Master’s degree can be helpful for advancement. Commercial bankers usually start with an entry-level position as analysts. In this kind of position, the analyst will cycle through the different areas of banking.  After two years of training the analyst can become a banker in a specialized area, such as asset management or commercial banking.

Important Qualities:

Integrity
Time Management
Self-reliant
Hard working
Confident and enthusiastic
Initiative
Interpersonal skills
Independence
Multi-tasking
Self-motivation
Ability to work with others
Communication skills

Advancement:

Most banks are located in areas that are banking heavy, such as large cities. Chicago, New York, and Boston are the top places to look for a job in the banking field.

The position of Commercial Banker Relationship Manager will require some travel. The Relationship Manager is in charge of meeting with the clients and businesses wherever they are located.

Relevant Classes:

Composition I and Advanced Composition/Writing
CMN 101- Public Speaking
CMN 211- Business Communication
ECON 303- Macrotheory Economics
ECON 426- Monetary Economics and Policy
ECON 460- Financial Economics

Relevant Clubs & Organizations:

Commercial Banking Association
Finance Club
Econ Club
Illini Business Financials

Sources:

http://work.chron.com/job-description-commercial-banking-relationship-manager-21461.html

http://www.jobdescriptions.net/business/commercial-banking/

https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/commercial-banker-salary