Personal Banker Resume: Overview
As a personal banker, you help clients manage their finances by providing services like account management, financial advising, and loan processing. You provide personalized financial guidance, help customers open accounts, manage loans and make investments. Personal bankers can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Retail banks
- Credit unions
- Corporate banking departments
- Investment firms
- Private wealth management
The most critical skills for a personal banker are customer service, financial knowledge, and problem-solving. Personal bankers should also have excellent communication skills and the ability to manage details precisely.
Ready to write a resume that highlights your expertise? Check out our Resume Builder, resume examples, and downloadable templates to craft the perfect personal banker resume today.
Personal Banker Resume: Choose a Format
Choosing the right format for your personal banker resume is key to effectively presenting your qualifications. Your format should emphasize your career experience, skills, and achievements in the best way possible.
When writing a resume for a personal banker, there are three formats to consider: chronological, functional or combination. Each format works a little differently, so let’s take a closer look!
Chronological resumes for personal bankers
A chronological format highlights your career timeline by listing your work history in reverse chronological order. This format is ideal if you have consistent experience as a personal banker and want to showcase your career progression. Chronological resumes are easy to follow and compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to pre-screen resumes.
However, if you have gaps in employment or are looking for your first personal banker job, another format may work better.
Functional resumes for personal bankers
A functional resume focuses on your skills and qualifications instead of your work history. A functional format is a good choice if you’re new to banking or transitioning from a different industry, as it emphasizes Your transferable skills like customer service and financial literacy without focusing on your previous job titles.
While functional resumes can help highlight your strengths, they may also raise questions about your work history or lack of direct experience in banking. Also, this format is not compatible with most ATS. That doesn’t mean you can’t use this format, but be aware that it has some limitations.
Combination resumes for personal bankers
A combination format mixes elements of the chronological and functional formats, allowing you to showcase skills first, followed by a detailed work history. A chronological resume is particularly effective if you have relevant financial and customer service expertise and at least some experience as a banker.
However, this format can be tricky to organize, making your resume longer than ideal. A personal banker’s resume should be one or two pages at most, so stay focused on your most relevant banking experience.
Choosing a resume format
Choosing a resume format is an important first step in landing your next personal banker job. A chronological resume is always a great choice if you are still determining which format is best for you. Its clean and straightforward layout makes it easy for hiring managers to follow your career journey. It is also the most ATS-friendly format, improving your chances of getting your resume past the initial screening process.
But what If you don’t have experience as a personal banker? Don’t worry! You can still make a chronological format work in your favor by emphasizing transferable skills and aligning your past roles with the job requirements.
Think about experiences where you used customer service, communication or organizational skills — all essential for personal bankers. For instance, if you worked in retail or as a server, highlight how you handled cash transactions, managed customer inquiries, or solved problems efficiently.
Even if your background isn’t in finance, focusing on transferable skills will demonstrate your ability to succeed as a personal banker while presenting your experience in a way that resonates with hiring managers.
How to Write a Personal Banker Resume
Writing a personal banker resume that stands out from the competition is straightforward. First, create a resume outline that includes the following sections:
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Objective
- Work History
- Skills
- Education
This resume writing guide will walk you through each section to help you create a resume that gets attention! Then, we’ll tell you about additional sections that can enhance a personal banker’s resume and help you land the job!
Contact information
Start by placing your name and contact information at the top of your resume in an easy-to-read font. Include your full name, city and state, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile. Remember to check for typos. An error could prevent hiring managers from reaching you for an interview.
Your contact information should look something like this:
John Lowell Smith
Denver, CO
(555) 123-4567
john.l.smith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/johnlowellsmith
Your email address, voicemail and LinkedIn profile should be professional and up-to-date to make a positive first impression.
Summary or objective
Start your resume with a summary or objective statement introducing your skills, career experience and goals. This introduction should set the tone for your resume and catch the hiring manager’s attention in a concise two or three sentences.
A resume summary is ideal if you have experience as a personal banker. It gives employers a quick glimpse of your banking experience, relevant skills and qualifications.
For example, a resume summary for a personal banker might say:
Experienced personal banker with 5 years of success in client portfolio management and exceeding sales targets. Skilled in financial advising, loan processing, and providing exceptional customer service.
An objective statement is better suited for those new to banking. A resume objective focuses on your relevant skills, career goals and genuine interest in the job. For example, an objective statement for a personal banker might say:
Motivated and detail-oriented professional seeking a personal banker role to utilize exceptional customer service and financial skills in helping clients achieve their financial goals. Skilled in providing tailored advice, managing transactions, and building strong client relationships, with a proven ability to deliver outstanding results in fast-paced environments.
Whichever you choose, tailor this introduction to each job application using keywords and phrases from the job description to stand out as a candidate and make your resume ATS-friendly.
Work history
The work history section is your chance to show potential employers how your previous experience has prepared you to excel as a personal banker. Start by listing your jobs in reverse chronological order — your most recent job should come first. For each role, include your job title, employer, location and dates of employment.
Then, under each job entry, write three to five bullet points explaining your responsibilities and accomplishments. Focus on results! Ask yourself how your efforts improved or supported the business. Did you increase client satisfaction, exceed sales goals or process a high volume of applications?
Use action verbs like “managed,” “advised,” “streamlined” or “achieved” to make your job descriptions engaging. Numbers are your friend here — quantify your accomplishments to show your impact. Instead of saying, “Assisted clients with loan applications,” write, “Processed 100+ loan applications per quarter with a 95% approval rate, contributing to a 10% increase in branch revenue.”
A well-written job entry for a personal banker’s resume will look something like this:
Personal Banker
First National Bank – Denver, CO
January 2020 – Present
- Built and managed a portfolio of over 50 clients, driving a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores through personalized service.
- Processed 100+ loan applications per quarter with a 95% approval rate, consistently exceeding branch goals.
- Provided tailored financial advice that led to a 15% growth in managed assets over two years.
Skills
Next, you will create your skills section. This is your chance to give hiring managers a quick snapshot of your most relevant qualifications. A personal banker role requires a balance of technical skills and interpersonal abilities. Include both hard and soft skills to show that you can excel in all aspects of the job.
Hard skills are the technical abilities needed to perform banking tasks, like financial analysis or familiarity with computers and CRM software. Soft skills, however, show that you work well with others. Skills like communication, attention to detail and problem-solving are crucial for managing day-to-day client interactions.
Here are some of the top skills for a personal banker resume:
Top hard skills for personal banker resumes
- Financial analysis: Assessing client portfolios and providing smart financial advice is a cornerstone of personal banking. This skill helps you guide clients toward their financial goals confidently.
- Loan processing: Handling loan applications accurately and efficiently is a must. It shows you can navigate a key part of banking operations precisely and carefully.
- Risk assessment: Spotting potential financial risks and helping clients minimize them demonstrates your expertise and protects their investments.
- Sales proficiency: Meeting revenue goals by recommending the right financial products highlights your ability to boost the bank’s success while helping clients.
- CRM software proficiency: Using tools like Salesforce or other CRM platforms shows you can manage client data effectively and streamline workflows.
Top soft skills for personal banker resumes
- Communication: Explaining financial concepts in a clear, friendly way is essential for building trust and making clients feel comfortable with their decisions.
- Problem-solving: Clients often come to a personal banker with challenges. Resolving issues quickly and effectively ensures they walk away satisfied.
- Attention to detail: In banking, every number and document matters. This skill ensures you handle transactions and paperwork with absolute accuracy.
- Time management: Juggling multiple clients and tasks during a busy day is no small feat. Strong time management keeps everything running smoothly.
- Empathy: Understanding what clients need — and genuinely caring about their financial goals — helps you build lasting relationships and loyalty.
The skills section of a personal banker resume should look something like this:
Skills
- Customer service
- Financial analysis
- Communication
- CRM software proficiency
- Problem-solving
- Time management
Education
Next, you will provide your educational background to show you meet or exceed the employer’s requirements. A personal banking job may only require a high school degree, but most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in a related subject.
List your degree, followed by the name and location of the institution. There’s no need to include your graduation date. Leaving off the date avoids potential age bias and keeps the focus on your qualifications.
The education section for a personal banker resume will look something like this:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Finance
University of Colorado – Boulder, CO
You can also include relevant courses or certifications in this section. However, creating a separate section can make your most relevant qualifications stand out.
Additional sections
Once you have the essentials covered, consider some optional sections for your resume. Additional sections enhance your resume by highlighting unique qualifications to present a complete picture of your abilities. Consider including sections like:
- Certifications: Certifications demonstrate advanced knowledge in financial fields.
- Languages: Being multilingual is valuable when serving a diverse clientele.
- Volunteer work: Volunteering shows your commitment to the community and provides valuable experience.
Top certifications for personal bankers
For personal bankers, certifications can highlight specialized knowledge and skills, making you a more attractive hire. Here are some top certifications to consider including on your personal banker resume.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP): The CFP certification is one of the most recognized credentials in financial planning. It demonstrates your ability to create financial plans, assess client needs, and provide sound advice.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): CFA certification is a globally recognized credential focused on investment management, portfolio strategy and ethical standards.
- Series 6 License: The Series 6 License is essential to sell investment products like mutual funds or variable annuities. It demonstrates your knowledge of investment products and regulatory standards.
- Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC): AFC certification is beneficial if you work with clients who need guidance on managing debt, improving credit scores or creating budgets.
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): From creating financial reports to managing client data, this certification proves your proficiency in Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
10 Tips for Writing a Personal Banker Resume
- Tailor your resume to each job description. Every bank has slightly different priorities, so read the job description carefully. If the employer emphasizes customer service, ensure your resume highlights roles where you provided exceptional client care. Use keywords like “financial advising,” “client retention” or “loan processing” to show you’re the right fit and to help your resume pass ATS screenings.
- Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities. Don’t just list tasks you performed — show how you excelled at them. For example, instead of saying, “Assisted customers with account management,” write, “Increased client satisfaction by providing personalized account management services.” This approach shows the value you bring to the role.
- Quantify your accomplishments for measurable results. Numbers make your resume more impactful. If you manage a portfolio of clients, mention how many. If you exceeded sales goals, state the percentage. For instance, “Boosted branch revenue by 15% through effective cross-selling of financial products.”
- Highlight technical skills like CRM software proficiency. Personal bankers often use CRM tools to manage client relationships and data. Mentioning your familiarity with software like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics demonstrates your technical capabilities and efficiency in handling client information.
- Include certifications to demonstrate expertise. Certifications show that you’ve gone the extra mile to develop your skills. Include relevant ones like Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Series 6 License, as they reassure employers of your financial knowledge and ability to serve clients professionally.
- Use action verbs to make descriptions more dynamic. Action verbs make your resume engaging and professional. Replace dull phrases like “responsible for” with “managed,” “developed,” or “optimized.” For example, “Managed a portfolio of 50+ clients, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”
- Add hard and soft skills for a well-rounded impression. Banks value technical expertise and interpersonal abilities. Pair skills like financial analysis or risk assessment with communication or problem-solving to show you’re a versatile candidate who can handle the technical and personal aspects of the job.
- Ensure formatting is clean and easy to read. A professional layout makes your resume look polished and easy to navigate. Use consistent fonts, clear headings, and bullet points to organize information. Avoid clutter— hiring managers spend seconds scanning resumes, so simplicity is key.
- Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. Even minor errors can give the impression of carelessness. Double-check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. A polished resume shows attention to detail, which is critical for a personal banker handling sensitive financial data.
- Proofread carefully to ensure your resume is polished. Don’t rely solely on spell-check software. Read your resume aloud or ask a friend to review it for clarity and accuracy. This final step ensures your resume represents you as a professional ready to succeed in a detail-oriented role like personal banking.
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Key Takeaways
A personal banker resume should emphasize financial expertise, customer service skills, and measurable achievements.
The chronological format is a safe and ATS-friendly option for all experience levels.
Include a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to personal banking to attract potential employers.
Tailor your summary or objective statement to the job description and employer’s needs.
Use quantifiable data to highlight your accomplishments and stand out from other applicants.
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FAQ
To make your personal banker resume stand out, use a visually appealing resume template and a well-organized format to catch the eye of hiring managers. Emphasize measurable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. For example, highlight accomplishments like “Increased client retention by 20% through personalized financial advising” or “Generated $2M in new loans within six months by developing strong client relationships.”
Tailor each section of your resume to the job description — include keywords that align with the employer’s priorities, such as “customer service,” “portfolio management” or “cross-selling financial products.” Use action verbs like “achieved,” “managed” or “streamlined” to make your resume more dynamic and engaging. Finally, consider including additional sections like certifications or volunteer experience to showcase your unique qualifications.
A personal banker’s role requires a balance of technical knowledge and people skills. So, highlight a mix of hard and soft skills to show you are a perfect fit for the job. Include hard skills like financial analysis, CRM software proficiency, and risk assessment, as these demonstrate your ability to handle the technical aspects of the role.
But don’t forget soft skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving, essential for building trust and effectively addressing client needs. For example, your ability to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms can make a big difference when working with clients new to investing.
If you have employment gaps, consider using a functional or combination format to emphasize your skills and qualifications. Regardless of your format, highlight relevant expertise, like customer service or financial management, that you gained in previous roles or other experiences.
If the gap is significant, consider mentioning how you stayed productive during that time in a cover letter or additional section. For example, if you took time off to pursue further education or volunteer work, include that information to show that you remained engaged in professional development. Employers value candidates who demonstrate resilience and a commitment to growth, even during career breaks.
Use keywords directly from the job description to help your personal banker resume pass through ATS screening. For example, if the employer mentions skills like “loan processing,” “portfolio management” or “customer relationship management,” include these exact terms in your work history or skills section.
It is also crucial to avoid overly creative formatting. ATS systems may not scan graphics or tables correctly. Stick to standard headings like “Work History” and “Skills,” and use a simple font and layout to make your resume ATS-friendly.
It’s not necessary to include references directly on your resume. Instead, create a separate reference sheet that you can provide upon request. Use the space on your resume to focus on your accomplishments, skills and experience.
Instead, you can prepare a separate document listing your professional contacts, which you can share with potential employers when asked. Choose references who can speak to your abilities in customer service, financial management, or teamwork — ideally, former supervisors or colleagues with firsthand knowledge of your performance in relevant roles.