Banking Careers

Your comprehensive guide to banking careers.
Explore opportunities, understand requirements, and submit your application with confidence.


🏦 Banking Sector Overview

The banking sector is a vital pillar of the global economy, offering diverse and rewarding career opportunities. From retail banking to investment banking, from traditional institutions to innovative digital banks, the sector provides professionals with dynamic roles that combine financial expertise, technology, and client service.
Banks serve as financial intermediaries, managing deposits, providing loans, facilitating payments, offering investment services, and supporting economic growth. The sector has evolved significantly with digital transformation, creating new roles in fintech, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital customer experience.

Key Functions of Banks
💰 Deposit Management

Accepting and managing customer deposits, providing secure savings and current accounts.

💳 Lending Services

Providing loans, mortgages, credit facilities to individuals and businesses.

📊 Investment Banking

Capital raising, mergers & acquisitions, securities trading, and financial advisory.

🌐 Payment Systems

Processing transactions, international transfers, and digital payment solutions.

📈 Career Progression Pathways

Typical Career Ladder

Banking careers offer structured progression paths with clear advancement opportunities. Understanding these pathways helps you plan your career trajectory and identify the skills needed at each level.

Entry Level (0-2 years)

  • Roles: Banking Associate, Junior Analyst, Customer Service Representative, Teller
  • Focus: Learning fundamentals, building technical skills, understanding banking operations.

Mid Level (2-5 years)

  • Roles: Relationship Manager, Financial Analyst, Credit Officer, Operations Manager
  • Focus: Client management, analytical expertise, process improvement, team collaboration.

Senior Level (5-10 years)

  • Roles: Senior Manager, Branch Manager, Portfolio Manager, Risk Manager
  • Focus: Strategic planning, team leadership, P&L responsibility, client portfolio management.

Executive Level (10+ years)

  • Roles: Director, Vice President, Head of Department, C-Suite (CFO, CRO, COO)
  • Focus: Business strategy, organizational leadership, regulatory compliance, stakeholder management.
Specialized Career Tracks
  • Investment Banking Track: Analyst → Associate → Vice President → Director → Managing Director
  • Risk Management Track: Risk Analyst → Risk Manager → Senior Risk Manager → Chief Risk Officer
  • Technology Track: IT Analyst → Systems Manager → Technology Lead → Chief Technology Officer
  • Compliance Track: Compliance Officer → Compliance Manager → Head of Compliance → Chief Compliance Officer


📋 General Requirements


Educational Qualifications
Entry Level Positions

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields. Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 preferred.

Mid to Senior Positions

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (MBA, MSc Finance) strongly preferred. Professional certifications highly valued.

Professional Certifications

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), FRM (Financial Risk Manager), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), ACCA, CAIA, PMP.

Technical Certifications

SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure).


Core Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills

Financial analysis, accounting principles, risk assessment, regulatory knowledge, data analytics, banking software (SAP, Oracle Financial Services, Temenos)

Analytical Skills

Critical thinking, quantitative analysis, problem-solving, financial modeling, market research, trend forecasting.

Communication Skills

Professional written and verbal communication, presentation skills, client relationship management, negotiation, cross-cultural communication.

Software Proficiency

Microsoft Excel (advanced), Bloomberg Terminal, financial modeling tools, CRM systems, core banking systems, business intelligence tools.

Soft Skills

Attention to detail, time management, adaptability, ethical judgment, teamwork, leadership, stress management, customer service orientation.


💵 Salary & Benefits


Salary Ranges by Region (USD Annual)

Vietnam

  • Entry: $5,000 – $12,000
  • Mid: $12,000 – $30,000
  • Senior: $30,000 – $80,000
  • Executive: $80,000 – $200,000+

Asia-Pacific (Singapore, HK)

  • Entry: $40,000 – $65,000
  • Mid: $65,000 – $120,000
  • Senior: $120,000 – $250,000
  • Executive: $250,000+

North America & Europe (USD, EUR, GBP)

  • Entry: 41,000 – 50,000
  • Mid: 50,000 – 70,000
  • Senior: 70,000 – 150,000
  • Executive: 300,000+

Investment Banking

  • Analyst: $85,000 – $125,000
  • Associate: $150,000 – $250,000
  • VP: $250,000 – $500,000
  • MD: $500,000+
Comprehensive Benefits Package
  • Performance-Based Compensation: Annual bonuses (10-100% of base salary depending on level and performance), profit sharing, stock options and equity grants (for senior positions);
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), life and disability insurance, mental health support programs, gym memberships, wellness allowances;
  • Work-Life Balance: 12-25 annual leave days, sick leave, parental leave (maternity/paternity), flexible working arrangements, remote work options (varies by role);
  • Professional Development: Training and certification sponsorship, tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees, conference attendance, mentorship programs, internal mobility opportunities;
  • Financial Benefits: Employee banking services at preferential rates, mortgage discounts, investment advisory services, retirement savings plans (401k, pension funds), financial planning assistance;
  • Additional Perks: Transportation allowances, meal vouchers, relocation assistance, travel allowances, annual health check-ups, company events and team building.


🕐 Working Conditions

Work Environment

Office Setting: Professional corporate environment, modern office facilities with ergonomic workstations, collaborative spaces, meeting rooms with latest technology, access to research databases and financial tools.
Working Hours:

Retail Banking

Standard hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday-Friday), some Saturday morning shifts, regular schedule with minimal overtime.

Investment Banking

Extended hours: 70-100+ hours/week common, evening and weekend work frequent, deal-driven schedules, high-pressure deadlines.

Risk & Compliance

Standard hours: 40-50 hours/week, occasional deadline-driven overtime, more predictable schedule, work-life balance improving.

Technology & Operations

Flexible hours: 40-50 hours/week, remote work increasingly common, on-call rotation for critical systems, project-based intensity.

Work Culture & Expectations
Professional Standards

Business formal or business casual dress code, high ethical standards and integrity expected, confidentiality and discretion critical, regulatory compliance mandatory.

Performance Environment

Meritocratic culture with clear performance metrics, regular performance reviews (quarterly/annual), continuous learning and upskilling expected, competitive yet collaborative atmosphere.

Technology Integration

Heavy reliance on specialized banking software and platforms, digital transformation initiatives ongoing, automation increasing efficiency, cybersecurity protocols mandatory.

Stress Factors

High-pressure deadlines, especially during month-end/quarter-end, market volatility impact, regulatory changes requiring adaptation, client demands and expectations, error-zero tolerance in critical operations.

Growth Opportunities

Structured career advancement pathways, international assignment possibilities, cross-functional project exposure, leadership development programs, networking with industry professionals.

💼 Diverse Career Opportunities

The banking sector offers hundreds of specialized roles across different departments, functions, and seniority levels. Below is a comprehensive list of career opportunities available in banks worldwide.


Corporate & Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Analyst: Entry level – Financial modeling, valuation, pitch books.
  • Equity Research Analyst: Entry-Mid level – Stock analysis, reports, recommendations.
  • M&A Associate: Mid level – Mergers & acquisitions advisory.
  • Leveraged Finance Associate: Mid level – Leveraged buyouts, high-yield bonds.
  • Fixed Income Trader: Mid-Senior level – Bond trading, portfolio management.
  • Corporate Banking Relationship Manager: Mid-Senior level – Client relationships, lending solutions.
  • Derivatives Specialist: Senior level – Structured products, hedging strategies.
  • Capital Markets Manager: Senior level – IPOs, debt issuance, capital raising.


Retail & Consumer Banking
  • Personal Banking Officer: Entry level – Account opening, customer service.
  • Teller/Cashier: Entry level – Cash handling, transactions.
  • Mortgage Specialist: Mid level – Home loan processing, advisory.
  • Consumer Lending Officer: Mid level – Personal loans, credit assessment.
  • Personal Financial Advisor: Mid level – Wealth planning, investment advisory.
  • Customer Experience Manager: Senior level – Service quality, satisfaction initiatives.
  • Credit Card Product Manager: Senior level – Product development, strategy.
  • Branch Manager: Senior level – Branch operations, team leadership.

Risk Management
  • Credit Risk Analyst: Entry-Mid level – Credit assessment, default probability.
  • Fraud Detection Analyst: Entry-Mid level – Fraud patterns, investigation.
  • Operational Risk Specialist: Mid level – Process risks, control frameworks.
  • Model Validation Analyst: Mid-Senior level – Risk model review, backtesting.
  • Market Risk Manager: Senior level – VaR modeling, stress testing.
  • Regulatory Risk Manager: Senior level – Compliance with capital requirements.
  • Liquidity Risk Manager: Senior level – Cash flow management, funding strategies.
  • Chief Risk Officer (CRO): Executive level – Enterprise risk strategy.


Compliance & Legal
  • AML/KYC Analyst: Entry-Mid level – Anti-money laundering, due diligence.
  • Compliance Officer: Mid level – Policy implementation, monitoring.
  • Regulatory Affairs Manager: Senior level – Regulatory reporting, liaison.
  • Data Privacy Officer: Senior level – GDPR, data protection compliance.
  • Legal Counsel: Senior level – Contract review, legal advisory.
  • Ethics & Conduct Manager: Senior level – Code of conduct, ethical standards.


Technology & Digital Banking
  • UX/UI Designer: Mid level – Digital interface design, user experience.
  • Cybersecurity Analyst: Mid level – Threat detection, security protocols.
  • Banking Systems Developer: Mid level – Core banking software development.
  • Data Scientist: Mid-Senior level – Predictive modeling, AI/ML applications.
  • Blockchain Specialist: Senior level – DLT implementation, crypto assets.
  • Cloud Architect: Senior level – Cloud migration, infrastructure.
  • Digital Banking Product Manager: Senior level – Mobile app, online banking features.
  • Chief Technology Officer (CTO): Executive level – Technology strategy, innovation.


Finance & Accounting
  • Treasury Analyst: Entry-Mid level – Cash management, funding.
  • Tax Specialist: Mid level – Tax compliance, planning, advisory.
  • Internal Auditor: Mid level – Audit execution, control testing.
  • Management Accountant: Mid level – Budgeting, variance analysis.
  • Financial Controller: Senior level – Financial reporting, accounting oversight.
  • Financial Planning & Analysis Manager: Senior level – Forecasting, strategic planning.
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Executive level – Financial strategy, stakeholder relations.


Operations & Administration
  • Transaction Processing Specialist: Entry level – Payment processing, reconciliation.
  • Trade Finance Officer: Mid level – Letters of credit, documentary collections.
  • Settlement & Clearing Specialist: Mid level – Trade settlement, clearing operations.
  • Quality Assurance Analyst: Mid level – Process quality, error reduction.
  • Operations Manager: Senior level – Process optimization, efficiency.
  • Business Continuity Manager: Senior level – Disaster recovery, resilience planning.

Wealth Management & Private Banking
  • Investment Advisor: Mid-Senior level – Investment recommendations, portfolio construction.
  • Private Banker: Senior level – High-net-worth client advisory.
  • Trust Officer: Senior level – Trust administration, estate planning.
  • Wealth Manager: Senior level – Portfolio management, financial planning.
  • Family Office Manager: Executive level – Ultra-high-net-worth client services.

Human Resources & Talent
  • Recruitment Specialist: Mid level – Talent acquisition, candidate assessment.
  • Compensation & Benefits Analyst: Mid level – Salary benchmarking, benefits administration.
  • Learning & Development Manager: Senior level – Training programs, capability building.
  • HR Business Partner: Senior level – Talent strategy, employee relations.

Marketing & Communications
  • Digital Marketing Specialist: Mid level – Online campaigns, social media, SEO.
  • Product Marketing Manager: Senior level – Go-to-market strategy, product launches.
  • Brand Manager: Senior level – Brand strategy, market positioning.
  • Corporate Communications Manager: Senior level – PR, media relations, crisis communication.

🏛️ Major Banking Institutions

🇻🇳 Vietnam – State-Owned Commercial Banks
  • Vietcombank (VCB)
  • BIDV
  • VietinBank (CTG)
  • Agribank
🇻🇳 Vietnam – Joint-Stock Commercial Banks
  • SHB
  • ACB
  • MB Bank
  • Techcombank (TCB)
  • Sacombank (STB)
  • Viet Capital Bank
  • HDBank
  • LienVietPostBank (LPB)
  • MSB
  • OCB
  • SeABank
  • Bac A Bank
  • Nam A Bank
  • Timo Bank (Digital)
  • PG Bank

🇻🇳 Vietnam – Joint-Venture & Foreign Banks
  • VIB (Joint-venture)
  • HSBC Vietnam
  • Standard Chartered Vietnam
  • ANZ Vietnam
  • Citibank Vietnam
  • Shinhan Bank Vietnam
  • Woori Bank Vietnam
  • CIMB Vietnam
  • UOB Vietnam
  • Hong Leong Bank Vietnam
🇻🇳 Vietnam – Central Bank & Policy Banks
  • State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)
  • Vietnam Development Bank (VDB)
  • Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP)
🌏 Asia-Pacific – Major Commercial Banks
  • DBS Bank (Singapore)
  • OCBC Bank (Singapore)
  • UOB (Singapore)
  • HSBC Asia-Pacific
  • Standard Chartered Asia
  • Bank of China (Hong Kong)
  • ICBC Asia
  • China Construction Bank
  • Maybank (Malaysia)
  • CIMB Group (Malaysia)
  • Bangkok Bank (Thailand)
  • Kasikornbank (Thailand)
  • Bank Mandiri (Indonesia)
  • BCA (Indonesia)
🌏 Asia-Pacific – Investment Banks
  • UBS Asia
  • Credit Suisse Asia
  • Morgan Stanley Asia
  • Goldman Sachs Asia
  • J.P. Morgan Asia
  • Nomura Holdings
  • Daiwa Securities
  • CLSA
  • Macquarie Group
🌏 Asia-Pacific – Digital/Neo Banks
  • Grab Financial (Singapore)
  • Revolut Asia
  • Kakao Bank (South Korea)
  • Toss Bank (South Korea)
  • WeBank (China)
  • MyBank (China)
  • Judo Bank (Australia)
🇺🇸 United States – Major Banks
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Bank of America
  • Wells Fargo
  • Citigroup
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Morgan Stanley
  • U.S. Bank
  • PNC Financial
  • Truist Financial
  • Capital One
🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Major Banks🌏
  • HSBC Holdings
  • Barclays
  • Lloyds Banking Group
  • NatWest Group
  • JStandard Chartered
  • Santander UK
  • Metro Bank
  • Monzo (Digital)
  • Revolut (Digital)
  • Starling Bank (Digital)
🇪🇺 Europe – Major Banks
  • BNP Paribas (France)
  • Crédit Agricole (France)
  • KSociété Générale (France)
  • Deutsche Bank (Germany)
  • Commerzbank (Germany)
  • UBS (Switzerland)
  • Credit Suisse (Switzerland)
  • ING Group (Netherlands)
  • ABN AMRO (Netherlands)
  • UniCredit (Italy)
  • Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy)
  • Santander (Spain)
  • BBVA (Spain)

🌐 Global Investment Banks
  • JPMorgan Goldman Sachs
  • Morgan Stanley
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • Citigroup Global Markets
  • Barclays Investment Bank
  • Deutsche Bank Markets
  • UBS Investment Bank
  • Credit Suisse Investment Banking
  • BNP Paribas Corporate & Institutional
🏦 Multilateral Development Banks
  • World Bank Group
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • European Investment Bank
  • African Development Bank
  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
💎 Wealth Management & Private Banking
  • UBS Wealth Management
  • Credit Suisse Private Banking
  • J.P. Morgan Private Bank
  • Citi Private Bank
  • HSBC Private Banking
  • BNP Paribas Wealth Management
  • Julius Baer
  • Pictet Group
  • Northern Trust


Apply for Banking Careers

Complete all sections to submit your application for banking positions

Personal & Contact Information
Full Name
Date of Birth
Email Address
Phone Number
Address
Introduction Video URL (Maximum 3 minutes)
Portfolio/LinkedIn Profile URL
URL Link to your CV
Educational Background
University/Institution
Program/Major
Year Graduated
Degree Type
GPA
Relevant Certificates
Honors, Awards & Competition Achievements
Banking-Specific Knowledge Assessment
What banking software, financial platforms, or analytical tools are you proficient in? (e.g., Core Banking Systems, Bloomberg Terminal, Excel, SQL, Tableau)
Explain your understanding of key banking regulations (e.g., Basel III, KYC, AML, GDPR). How have you applied this knowledge in your work? (Maximum 200 words)
What is your understanding of credit risk assessment? Describe the factors you would consider when evaluating a loan application. (Maximum 200 words)
What is your understanding of credit risk assessment? Describe the factors you would consider when evaluating a loan application. (Maximum 200 words)
How do you think digital banking and fintech innovations are changing the traditional banking sector? How would you adapt to these changes? (Maximum 200 words)
✅ Qualifications & Documents Preparation Checklist
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance, Economics, Business, Accounting, or related field;
• Professional certifications (CFA, FRM, CPA, CAMS, or equivalent);
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Updated CV/Resume highlighting banking experience;
• Cover letter tailored to the specific banking role;
• Professional references from banking or finance sector;
• Portfolio of work (for analysts/technical roles);
• Background check and compliance clearances
Regional Considerations
🇻🇳 Vietnam Banking Sector
Key Requirements: Vietnamese language proficiency essential. State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) regulations compliance mandatory. Bachelor’s degree minimum, with preference for graduates from National Economics University or Banking Academy. Party membership advantageous for state-owned banks. Understanding of Vietnamese banking law and circular requirements. Household registration (Ho Khau) may be required. Military service completion certificate for male candidates.

🌏 Asia-Pacific Region
Regional Considerations: English proficiency required across most APAC markets. Additional language skills valued (Mandarin, Japanese, Bahasa). Understanding of APAC regulatory frameworks (MAS Singapore, HKMA Hong Kong, RBI India, Bank Negara Malaysia). Recognition of regional certifications (HKSI, JFSA licenses). Cross-border banking knowledge essential. Understanding of Islamic banking for Muslim-majority countries. Awareness of regional trade agreements (RCEP, CPTPP).

🌍 Global Business Hubs
International Standards: Top-tier education from recognized universities. International professional certifications (CFA, FRM, CAIA). Multi-jurisdictional regulatory knowledge. Work authorization for respective countries. Cultural adaptability and global mindset. Understanding of international financial standards (IFRS, Basel III/IV). Experience in cross-border transactions and global markets.
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