Career Path Guide
If you have an interest in international banking, overseeing the work of others, and you’re a stickler for customer service, then you may want to consider a career as an international bank manager (if you haven’t already!).
This field offers excellent pay, consistent working hours, and the ability to use a wide range of business and interpersonal skills.
If this occupation sounds promising, then read on below; we’ll fill you in on what you’d be doing, how much you could make, and what you need to do to get into this field!
Education Needed to Become an International Bank Manager
Although the specific education you’ll need will vary, most employers will require that you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in a field related to banking or management, such as economics, finance, marketing, international business, management, or a closely related field.
Experience for Becoming an International Bank Manager
1. Working your way up: You will typically need 5 years or more of experience in roles of progressive responsibility in the banking industry if you plan on going this route. For example, you might start as a Loan Officer, Accountant, Auditor, Securities Sales Agent, or Financial Analyst and work your way into supervisory and management positions.
2. Through a graduate trainee program: Many banking and other financial institutions offer management training programs for university graduates who wish to become bank managers. The entrance requirements for these programs vary, although they typically include a university degree in a field such as business, economics, finance, management or marketing.
Licensing Requirements
The licensing and certification requirements for becoming an international bank manager vary from employer to employer, and from region to region. Be sure to check job postings carefully and plan accordingly, as you may need licensing or certification in one of the following areas:
• Investment Funds and Financial Securities
• Credit Management
• Personal Financial Planning
Skills You'll Need
In order to be effective in this field, you’ll need to have a certain knowledge base, as well as certain skills, including:
• Familiar with a variety of international banking concepts, practices, and procedures
• Extensive knowledge of international trade products and banking services
• Able to lead and motivate staff, and direct their work activities
• Sales and marketing skills; able to develop a business plan for the branch and ensure it is executed by staff
• A thorough understanding of financial product regulations and the legal aspects of banking
• The ability to build and maintain meaningful respectful relationships with staff and customers
• A demonstrated ability to provide advice on the best course of action to address a variety of operational issues
• An understanding of relevant corporate structures, systems, processes, products and services, policies and objectives
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Access and Excel
• Strong understanding of, and experience in, general management concepts, such as finance, human resources, marketing, sales, compliance, operations
What You'd Be Doing: General Job Description
As an international bank manager, you would be responsible for directing and overseeing the international banking policies, objectives and initiatives of a bank or other financial institution.
General Job Duties
Although the functions you would perform could vary from job to job, tasks you would be responsible for performing might include:
• Developing and maintaining banking services to international clients and accounts
• Maintaining current knowledge of changes in cultural and legal issues pertaining to international banking
• Directing and overseeing the planning and implementation of the international banking policies, objectives and initiatives of a bank or financial institution
• Leading and directing the work activities of supervisors
• Ensuring profitability of the branch
• Developing and maintaining international banking contacts
• Providing executives or board of directors with suggestions relating to the improvement of business procedures or strategies
What Kind of Salary Can You Earn?
The salary level you could earn as an international bank manager can vary, typically depending on the following factors:
• Your professional qualifications (education, experience, etc.)
• The size and budget of your employer
• The region in which you work
• The scope of your job duties
International Bank Manager Salary - Alberta: According to the 2017 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey (the latest figures available at the time of writing - February 9, 2020), the average salary level of Albertans working in the Banking/Investment Managers occupational group is $82,168 per year.
Salary - British Columbia: According to WorkBC (Province of British Columbia), the annual provincial median salary salary level of British Columbians working in the Banking, Credit and Other Investment Managers occupational group is $90,002 per year.
Salary - United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary level of Americans working in the Financial Managers occupational group is $127,990 per year (May, 2018 figures).
Who Employers International Bank Managers?
The following types of organizations typically employ international bank managers, on a full-time or contractual basis:
• Banks
• Credit unions
• Financial securities brokerages
• Commodities brokerages
• Trust companies
• Mortgage investment companies
Current Job Postings
Our job board below has "International Bank Manager" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Similar Occupations in Our Database
Listed below are occupations in our database that have similar responsibilities, and/or require similar skills, or be in the same sector of industry as 'international bank manager':
• International Business Consultant
• Investment Portfolio Manager
References
Information for this career guide was compiled from the websites listed below. Some information has also been compiled from actual job postings from various organizations, which cannot be listed here due to the brief nature of their online availability.
Occupations in Alberta: “Banking/Investment Manager.” (February 20, 2017). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
Explore Careers: “Banking, credit and other investment managers.” (December 11, 2018). WorkBC website. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
Management: “Financial Managers.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
Please Note: Much of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming an International Bank Manager
The “Relevant University Majors” section below shows fields of study relevant to this profession. You can search for scholarships matched to those fields of study on our All Scholarships by Major page.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Relevant University Majors
Studying one of the college/university majors listed below can be helpful for becoming a international bank manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
