17 Banking Relationship Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A banking relationship manager is responsible for developing and maintaining positive relationships with banking clients. They work with clients to identify and meet their financial needs.

If you’re looking for a job in banking, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One of the best ways to prepare for a banking job interview is to familiarize yourself with the most common questions asked. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of questions and answers that will help you stand out from the competition and land the job you want.

Are you comfortable working with clients who have high net worth?

Banking relationship managers often work with clients who have high net worth. This question helps employers determine if you’re comfortable working with these types of clients and how you plan to handle them. In your answer, explain that you are willing to work with all types of clients and provide examples of how you’ve worked with clients in the past who had high net worth.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with clients who have high net worth. I enjoy learning about their financial goals and helping them achieve those goals. In my previous role as a banking relationship manager, I helped a client who had $10 million in assets. We discussed his investment options and decided on a few mutual funds that would help him reach his retirement goal.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a banking relationship manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important qualities, such as communication skills, problem-solving skills and customer service skills.

Example: “I believe that a banking relationship manager needs to have strong interpersonal skills. This is because they are responsible for interacting with customers and helping them solve any issues they may have. They also need to be organized and detail-oriented since they will be working with financial information. Finally, I think it’s important to have excellent time management skills so you can meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.”

How would you describe the role of a banking relationship manager?

This question helps the interviewer understand your understanding of what is expected in this role. Your answer should include a description of the responsibilities and duties you would have as a banking relationship manager, including how it relates to customer service.

Example: “As a banking relationship manager, I would be responsible for maintaining relationships with current customers while also finding new clients through sales techniques. This means that my primary duty would be providing excellent customer service to ensure our bank’s reputation remains positive. In addition, I would use my sales skills to find new clients who could benefit from our services.”

What is your experience working with investments and financial products?

Banking relationship managers often need to be knowledgeable about the products and services their bank offers. This question helps employers determine if you have experience with their specific offerings, as well as how much experience you have working with investments and financial products in general. In your answer, share what types of products or services you’ve worked with in the past and explain why they’re beneficial for customers.

Example: “In my previous role, I helped customers open new investment accounts and assisted them with any questions they had about their portfolio. I also helped customers understand our other banking products that could help them manage their finances more effectively. For example, I would recommend a checking account that has online bill pay so customers can easily make payments from their investment accounts.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide negative news to a client.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to take responsibility for your actions.

Example: “In my previous role as a relationship manager, I had a client who was looking to open an investment account with us. After meeting with him, he decided to deposit $10,000 into his checking account instead of opening the investment account. When reviewing his account information, I noticed that he hadn’t deposited the $10,000 into his account yet. I called him to let him know that we would need to close his account if he didn’t deposit the money within five days. He ended up depositing the money before the deadline.”

If a client came to you with a proposal for a new business venture, what would be your advice?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a client’s request for funding. Use your answer to highlight your ability to make sound financial decisions and provide guidance to clients who are looking for loans or other types of financing.

Example: “If a client came to me with an idea for a new business venture, I would first ask them about their previous experience in this industry. If they had no prior experience, I would advise them against pursuing the project until they gained more knowledge and developed some skills. However, if they already had some experience, I would encourage them to apply for a loan so that they could start their company.”

What would you do if you noticed a pattern of risky investments among some of your clients?

Banking relationship managers are responsible for ensuring their clients’ financial needs are met. This includes making sure they’re not taking on too much risk with their investments. A hiring manager may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of protecting your customers from risky situations. In your answer, explain that you would first try to educate them about why these investments might be a bad idea. If they still want to pursue those options, you would encourage them to do so in smaller amounts and over longer periods of time.

Example: “I would first try to talk my client out of investing in these types of products. I know how important it is to protect our customers from losing money unnecessarily. However, if they insisted on pursuing these investments, I would encourage them to invest only small amounts at a time and over long periods of time. That way, if something goes wrong, they won’t lose all of their money.”

How well do you understand the regulations and policies of the banking industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the banking industry and how it relates to customer service. Use examples from your experience that show you understand the regulations and policies of the banking industry, as well as how they relate to customer service.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance, so I am very familiar with the rules and regulations of the banking industry. In my last role, I was responsible for ensuring all employees understood the bank’s policies and procedures. For example, we had to follow strict guidelines when handling customers’ money, including keeping track of cash at all times and reporting any discrepancies immediately.”

Do you have experience working with small businesses?

Banking relationship managers often work with small businesses to help them establish accounts and find the right financial solutions. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working in a similar role before. In your answer, share two or three experiences where you helped small businesses open new accounts or apply for loans. Explain how you helped these clients achieve their goals.

Example: “I worked as an account manager at a local bank for five years. During that time, I met many small business owners who were looking for ways to grow their companies. I helped several of these clients create budgets and find financing options. One client was able to use my advice to secure a loan from another bank. They used the money to hire more employees and expand their product line.”

When working with clients, how do you ensure that you are clear and concise?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with clients and other banking professionals. Showcase your communication skills by explaining a time when you had to explain something in an easy-to-understand way.

Example: “I find that it’s important to be clear and concise when working with clients, especially if I’m having a phone conversation or meeting with them in person. In my last role as a relationship manager, I was helping a client who wanted to open up a new checking account. They were confused about some of the fees they would have to pay for using their debit card at different locations. I explained each fee clearly so they understood what they would be paying for.”

We want to attract more high-net-worth clients. What strategies would you use to market our services to this demographic?

This question helps the interviewer evaluate your marketing skills and how you can help their bank attract more high-net-worth clients. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your ability to develop a strategy that increases customer acquisition.

Example: “I would start by researching our current client base to identify which demographics we have the most success with. Then, I would use this information to create an effective marketing campaign that targets these specific groups of people. For example, in my last role, I helped my team increase our high-net-worth clientele by 20% by creating targeted advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.”

Describe your process for onboarding a new client.

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you approach new clients and develop relationships with them. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, communication abilities and customer service orientation.

Example: “I begin by meeting the client in person or on the phone to introduce myself and learn more about their banking needs. I also want to know what they like and dislike about their current bank so that I can better serve them. After our initial conversation, I send a welcome packet that includes information about my services, helpful tips for managing finances and a calendar of upcoming events at the bank. This helps me build rapport with the client and shows them that we care about their experience.”

What makes you stand out from other banking relationship managers?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have unique skills and talents. Use this time to highlight a skill or talent that makes you an asset to their team.

Example: “I think what sets me apart from other banking relationship managers is my ability to build strong relationships with customers. I am always looking for ways to make our customers’ experience more enjoyable, which has led to many of them becoming loyal clients. In fact, I recently had a customer who was so pleased with my service that they referred me to another bank where they work.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

Banking relationship managers often have experience working in the banking industry. However, they may also work in other industries that require strong customer service skills and financial knowledge. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any relevant experience you have outside of the banking industry.

Example: “I’ve worked as a banking relationship manager for five years now. Before that, I worked as an administrative assistant at a law firm for three years. In both positions, I was responsible for managing client relationships and maintaining excellent communication with clients. These experiences helped me develop my skills as a banking relationship manager.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and what skills you use to provide excellent customer service. Use examples from previous experience that show you value quality customer service and are willing to go above and beyond for customers.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is listening to a customer’s needs and providing solutions that meet their expectations. I always make sure to ask questions to understand exactly what a customer wants, so I can find the best solution for them. In my last role as a relationship manager, I had a customer who was looking for a new checking account because they were unhappy with their current one. After asking them about their preferences, I found an account that met all of their needs and helped them feel more satisfied with their banking experience.”

How often do you recommend that clients review their investment strategy?

This question can help the interviewer understand your investment knowledge and how you apply it to clients. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped clients review their strategy, such as when they first started working with you or at regular intervals throughout the year.

Example: “I recommend that my clients review their investment strategy annually. This allows them to see if there are any changes in their financial situation that may affect their goals. For example, a client of mine was saving for her daughter’s college tuition but had a change of plans when she got pregnant again. I helped her adjust her savings plan so she could save for both children’s education.”

There is a new investment product on the market that you don’t know much about. What is your process for researching it?

This question is a great way to see how you approach new challenges. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to learn and adapt. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you researched something new in your role.

Example: “I would first look at what information I already know about the product. Then, I would research who offers the product and if they have any educational resources on it. If there isn’t much information available, I would reach out to my colleagues or other banking professionals for their opinions. Finally, I would do some online research to find reviews from customers who have used the product.”