Banking PFA

Perhaps as never before, the necessity for excellent banking software has become evident. Retail banking requires a client-focused approach that will attract new customers and maintain them in a long term business relationship. One way to ensure customer satisfaction has been to guarantee rapid response to questions as well as information-gathering for business transactions. New banking software technology can provide broad retail functionality while it supports various multi-channel models simultaneously. Scalability and resilience are also important features in quality software for banking needs. New core banking applications need to be able to address and support merger and acquisitions activities.

A new concern has been raised by the recent financial collapses within the banking industry. Astute attention to collateral management might have played a positive role in averting some of the humiliating losses that occurred and adversely affected so many smaller banks and loan institutions as well as the customers they represented. Quality banking software is being developed to include systems that monitor collateral descriptions and types. It will have the capability of maintaining customer information, collateral data, and credit count relationships. This will be a significant part of any core banking application program.

Excellent financial software is also available for corporate and correspondent banking requirements. This software can introduce new business models as it responds speedily to ever-changing market conditions. It can reduce costs and identify and manage the risk factors at work, as well. In collateral management, this feature will assist in recognizing collateral shifts in value before they can cause significant damage. An excellent banking computer program will be flexible enough to include new products as they become available and should improve the overall efficiency of the banking business. All of these improvements should add value to the customer relationship which, of course, is paramount.

When one thinks in terms of universal banking, the amount of information that must be gathered, processed, re-calculated regularly, and stored is mind-boggling. More and more banks have chosen to simply out source some of this mass of data collections, including information in collateral management, rather than handle it in-house. New technology will allow for broader functionality in the banking service. Various different kinds of banking products will be able to move across all kinds of channels, especially on the international level. This agility will enable banks to compete with the large international financial institutions that venture into their markets.

When considering the best in banking software, one must look at its “functional richness” as well as its scalability and flexibility. It must be adaptable to the latest in open technology, and it should include a system- connectivity with collateral management. Customers today want as close to real-time views as possible. They want quick access to their counter-party’s collateral and exposures. The ability to function with broad and sweeping informational strokes will strengthen the attractiveness and competitiveness of banking operations for the approaching years.

Banking is one of the most challenging industries in which to get hired. The number of applicants for each vacant position can be as high as 100-to-1. The worst thing a potential applicant can do is to make mistakes in answering banking interview questions. Here are some examples of what you do not want to do when you are interviewing for a banking position.

Lack of enthusiasm

Most interviewers will form an impression of you within the first 60 seconds based on how you act and what you say. If you fail to show interest in the position, the company will pass on hiring you. A successful applicant will show enthusiasm for their accomplishments and be able to clearly articulate how they will benefit the company. If you are unable to enthusiastically sell yourself during the interview, how do you expect to sell anything to your bank’s customers?

Dress inappropriately

I once interviewed a person for a banking position that showed up for the interview wearing shorts and flip flops. I asked him if he thought bankers wore this type of attire in their position. His response was that he thought this interview was casual and that is why he dressed the way he did. Always dress more conservatively than the position requires. You do not want to damage your chance of getting a job by dressing inappropriately.

Inefficient knowledge of key job requirements

You may expect the position you are interviewing for includes extensive interaction with bank clients during golf outings, sporting events or dinner. If your expectations for the job are way off then the company will reject your application. If your job routinely requires 80+ hour work weeks then do not ask if you can work only 50 hours.

Ringing cell phone

You should never bring a cell phone to an interview. If you must bring your cell phone, make sure to turn off the ringer before the interview starts. Nothing is more disrespectful to an interviewer than to have a cell phone ring in the middle of an interview. If it does ring, DO NOT ANSWER the phone!

Talking Negatively

If you had a conflict in your current or previous position, do not talk negatively about the issue. Companies do not want employees who are going to be negative because this impacts team dynamics and performance. You do not want to use profanity in answering questions. This shows a lack of professionalism. If you are talking with a bank client and you use profanity, it may lose their account which could be a multi-million dollar account.

An interview is a dialogue between the company and yourself. The interview benefits both parties to determine whether or not a candidate is a good fit for a banking position. Making these mistakes will terminate any chance you have of getting the position.