Why You Should Consider a Career in Banking

Banking is an exciting industry to work in. It offers a variety of roles and responsibilities, as well as opportunities for progression and personal development. In fact, the jobs market in general is currently experiencing something of a renaissance, with demand for workers growing in almost every sector.

With so many great opportunities available, now might be the perfect time to think about a career in banking. The financial services industry offers excellent opportunities for individuals who are analytical, numerate, and able to deal with complex problems on a daily basis. As you’ll see from this article, it isn’t just about counting money or signing cheques anymore;

working in finance today means analysing risks, advising businesses on their financial plans and uncovering new market trends. If any of these things appeal to you, read on to find out more about why a career in banking could be right for you...

A brief history of banking

At its most basic level, a bank is a place where you can deposit your money in exchange for an agreed interest rate. As you might expect, the idea of banking is centuries old. Archaeologists discovered clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia that detailed loans and interest rates from around 3000 BC.

The first banks in Europe were created in Italy during the Middle Ages, with the first modern bank opening in Amsterdam in 1609. Banks were originally designed to store gold and silver bullion, but branched into lending money with the establishment of the Bank of England in 1694.

Although each bank had its own particular rules and practices, the majority of banks followed a similar pattern. First, a customer would deposit their money with the bank, usually in the form of gold or silver. The bank would then lend that money to another customer, often in the form of a mortgage.

Why choose a career in banking?

As mentioned above, banking is an incredibly broad industry that covers everything from storing money to lending money. To put it simply, banking is the process of accepting money from one person and then lending it to another person.

Banks do this by accepting deposits and issuing loans, which they use to generate revenue. Banking is incredibly important to modern economies, as it helps people to invest their money and grow their future. It also allows people to purchase homes and start businesses.

Banking also allows businesses to extend credit to their customers, which is essential for the running of our economy. If you’re interested in a career in banking, it’s important to note that the industry is incredibly broad. Banking jobs span numerous fields, from sales and marketing to risk management and compliance.

If you aren’t sure which branch of the industry would be best for you, it’s a good idea to speak to a career coach. They’ll be able to help you explore different career paths and decide which industry would be best for you.

Banking roles you can look forward to

As we’ve seen, banking is a broad industry. It covers everything from simple lending and deposits to a wide range of investment products and complex financial instruments. Despite this, there are still several core banking roles that you can expect to find in almost every financial institution.

The first role is that of the teller. As you would expect, this role involves interacting with customers and processing their transactions. If you’re looking for a role that involves more contact with customers, this one might be a great fit.

The next role is that of the credit analyst. In simple terms, the job of a credit analyst is to grade potential borrowers. The credit analyst will look at a potential borrower’s credit history, current financial situation, and any other relevant factors in order to decide whether or not to extend them a loan.

If you’re numerate, organised, and able to make quick decisions, this could be the perfect career for you.

The future of banking

As we’ve seen, banking is an industry with a long and varied history. However, things are changing a little, especially with regards to the delivery of banking services. In recent years, many banks, such as Barclays and HSBC, have been investing in fintech (financial technology) companies.

The idea is that banks can use fintech to offer their customers a better experience. For example, many banks now allow customers to deposit cheques via their smartphones. This is an exciting time for the banking industry, and there’s no telling what the future holds.

With the rise of cryptocurrencies, for example, the financial services industry is likely to see some major changes in the next few years. The rise of cryptocurrencies has posed some challenges for traditional banks, but it’s not likely to cause their downfall. In fact, many banks are partnering with cryptocurrency exchanges and exploring ways to incorporate blockchain technology into their operations.

Overall, the banking industry is a very stable one and is expected to grow over the next few years. This is thanks to a combination of greater regulation and more investment in fintech.

Bottom line

Banking is an industry that has stood the test of time. In fact, the first banks were created thousands of years ago. Today, the banking industry is more important than ever, as it helps individuals to manage their money and invest for their future. Banks also allow businesses to extend credit to their customers, which is essential for the running of our economy.

If you’re interested in a career in banking, now is a great time to get started. Banking jobs span numerous fields, from sales and marketing to risk management and compliance. You can expect to interact with a wide range of people, from potential borrowers to sophisticated investors.