20 BNY Mellon Interview Questions and Answers

BNY Mellon is a global financial services company with more than $35 trillion in assets under management. The company provides a comprehensive range of investment, wealth management, and banking services to clients around the world.

If you’re hoping to land a job at BNY Mellon, you can expect the interview process to be pretty competitive. To give yourself the best chance of success, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and skills.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample BNY Mellon interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

BNY Mellon Interview Process

The interview process at BNY Mellon is generally pretty short, with most candidates hearing back within a few weeks of their initial interview. However, some positions may take longer to fill, and the process for internships and executive-level positions can be more involved. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with most interviewers being friendly and accommodating.

1. What is your experience with handling client assets?

This question is a great way to determine how much experience you have with handling client assets. It’s important for employers to know that you’re familiar with the company’s products and services, so they can be sure you’ll be able to handle your job responsibilities effectively. In your answer, try to explain what you did in your previous role and highlight any specific skills or knowledge you gained from working with clients’ assets.

Example: “In my last position as an investment advisor, I was responsible for helping clients manage their portfolios by recommending appropriate investments based on their risk tolerance and financial goals. I also worked closely with BNY Mellon to ensure all of our clients were receiving the best service possible.”

2. What do you know about BNY Mellon’s investment services and products?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of their company and its services. It’s important that you thoroughly research BNY Mellon before going into the interview, as this will help you answer questions more confidently and effectively.

Example: “I know that BNY Mellon offers investment management solutions, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, private equity funds and hedge funds. I also understand that they offer wealth management services, such as financial planning, retirement planning and estate planning. Finally, I know that they provide custodial services, which include safekeeping assets and securities.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to work on multiple projects at once, how did you manage it?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills. Employers want to know that you can work on multiple projects at once and still meet deadlines. Use examples from previous jobs or describe how you would handle working on multiple projects in this role.

Example: “In my last position, I had to manage multiple clients while also completing tasks for the company. I used project management software to keep track of all of my assignments. This helped me stay organized and ensure that I met all of my deadlines. If I ever got overwhelmed with too many projects, I asked for help from my supervisor.”

4. Why do you want to work for BNY Mellon?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what you like about BNY Mellon and why you’re excited to work there. Your answer should include specific details about the company that make it unique or interesting.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in finance, so I’m excited to get my career started at such an innovative company. I read about BNY Mellon’s new blockchain technology and how it can help businesses save money on transactions. It seems like this company is really ahead of its time when it comes to financial innovation, which makes me even more eager to join the team.”

5. Describe your experience in the financial industry.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new employer. It’s also an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you’re passionate about this industry and have relevant experience. When answering, be sure to include details of what you did in your role and how it helped your company or clients.

Example: “I’ve been working in the financial industry since I graduated college with my bachelor’s degree. My first job was as a customer service representative at a bank where I answered questions from customers over the phone. After two years there, I moved up to a position as a personal banker where I worked directly with clients to help them manage their finances. In both positions, I learned valuable skills that I use every day.”

6. How would you handle an angry client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. It’s important to show that you have empathy and patience when dealing with clients who are upset or angry.

Example: “I would first try to calm them down by listening to their concerns and asking questions to understand what they’re experiencing. I would then apologize for any inconvenience caused and offer a solution, such as a refund or an alternative product. If it’s within my power, I would also ensure that the client is satisfied with the outcome of our conversation.”

7. Do you have any experience working with foreign clients?

BNY Mellon is a global company, and they want to know if you have experience working with foreign clients. This question can also help them determine whether or not you are comfortable traveling internationally for work. If you do have experience working with foreign clients, share an example of how you handled the situation. If you don’t have any international client experience, explain that you would be willing to learn more about it.

Example: “I have worked with several foreign clients in my previous role as a financial advisor. I was able to communicate with many of my clients through email and phone calls, but I did meet some of them in person when they visited our office. I am very comfortable communicating with people from different countries and cultures.”

8. Can you tell us about a project that you worked on where you were able to add value to the company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are able to take on projects and complete them successfully. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or task that you completed and the results of your work.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating an online database for our sales team to use when they were out in the field. This database would allow them to enter information about their clients and track their sales calls so that we could analyze the data later. I took on this project because I had experience using Salesforce before and knew how to create a database like this one. After working on the project for two weeks, I presented the database to my manager and the sales team. They loved it and started using it right away.”

9. Describe a situation where you had to deal with difficult or upset customers.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to help customers feel satisfied.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I had the opportunity to work with many upset customers. One time, a customer called in because they were having trouble accessing their account online. After asking them some questions about their login information, I was able to determine that there was an issue with their username. I helped them reset it, and they were happy once they could access their account.”

10. If hired, what are some areas of improvement you would like to see in the company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you would like to see changed but also focus on areas that are within your control to improve.

Example: “I think one area of improvement for BNY Mellon would be to increase communication between departments. I’ve noticed that there seems to be some miscommunication at times, which could lead to errors or delays in projects. If hired, I would make sure to create more opportunities for collaboration among employees so we can work together to solve problems.”

11. Give us an example of a time when you had to explain something technical to someone who was not familiar with the subject matter.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to simplify complex ideas. When answering this question, try to think of an example that highlights your ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms.

Example: “When I was working as a software engineer, my manager asked me to help train some new employees on our company’s coding language. At first, I thought it would be easy because I had been using the language for years, but when I started explaining it to them, I realized there were many aspects of the code that they didn’t understand. So, I broke down each part of the code into simpler terms until they understood how everything worked together.”

12. Do you have any experience performing data analysis?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific skill that’s important for this role. If you have relevant experience, share what type of data you analyzed and how you did it. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about your interest in learning more about data analysis.

Example: “I’ve performed data analysis on several projects throughout my career. In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing customer feedback to identify trends and make recommendations based on those trends. This helped me understand which products our customers were most interested in and allowed us to improve our marketing strategies.”

13. How would you describe the current state of the financial industry?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your knowledge of the financial industry. It also helps them determine whether you are aware of recent changes and trends in the industry. Use examples from your own experience to describe how the financial industry has changed over time, including any challenges or opportunities that have arisen as a result.

Example: “The current state of the financial industry is one of rapid change. With new technologies emerging every day, it’s important for companies like BNY Mellon to stay on top of these advancements so they can provide their clients with the best possible service. In my last role, I helped develop a digital platform that streamlined our client onboarding process and reduced costs by 20%. This allowed us to offer lower fees to our customers while still maintaining profitability.”

14. If you could change one thing about the way our team works together, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your leadership skills and ability to make improvements. Your answer should show that you are willing to help improve the team’s processes, but also highlight how you can work with others to implement change.

Example: “I think one thing I would change about our team is the frequency of communication between employees. In my last role, we had weekly meetings where everyone could ask questions or share updates on projects. This helped keep us all informed about what was going on in the company and allowed us to collaborate more effectively. I would suggest implementing something similar here.”

15. Have you ever been involved in developing a new product?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to work on a team and complete projects. Use examples from previous jobs or school experiences that show you have strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I worked with a group of five other accountants to develop a new accounting software program for our company. We met weekly to discuss ideas and test them out in the field. It was important to us that we developed a product that would be useful for our clients while also being cost-effective for our company. After six months of development, we launched the new software program.”

16. How well do you think you can adapt to different cultures?

BNY Mellon is a global company, and they want to know that you can adapt to different cultures. They are looking for candidates who have experience working with people from other countries or backgrounds. Use your answer to highlight any previous experiences adapting to new environments.

Example: “I think I am quite good at adapting to new cultures. In my last position, I worked with several colleagues from different parts of the world. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress on projects and how we could work together better. I learned some valuable tips from my international colleagues about how to communicate more effectively with others.”

17. Would you say you are more of a leader or a follower?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your leadership skills. It’s important that you show you can be both, but it’s also beneficial if you lean more toward one side or the other.

Example: “I would say I’m more of a leader than a follower. However, I think this is because I’ve always been in positions where I had to lead others. In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of five people and making sure they were all on task with their work. While I did have some help from my manager, I was ultimately responsible for ensuring everyone met deadlines and followed company policies.”

18. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful analyst?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in their role. Use your answer to highlight your analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. You may also want to mention any other skills that are relevant to this position.

Example: “I think a successful analyst needs to be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently. These skills allow me to complete my projects on time while maintaining high quality. I am also very comfortable communicating with others, which is important for collaborating with team members and clients.”

19. Tell us about a time you faced a challenge while working in a group setting. How did you overcome it?

This question can help the interviewer assess your teamwork skills. It also helps them understand how you respond to challenges and solve problems. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you faced a challenge while working in a group setting and how you overcame that challenge.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant, I was part of a team that worked on projects together. One day, one of our coworkers went out of town for a family emergency. This left us with only two accountants to complete all of our work. We had to adjust our schedules so we could get everything done before the deadline. While it was challenging to do more work than usual, we were able to overcome the challenge by adjusting our schedules and delegating tasks.”

20. Provide an example of a time when you used logic to solve a problem.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can use logic and critical thinking to solve problems on the job. When answering this question, think of a time when you used logic to solve a problem at work or in your personal life.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for managing client accounts. One day, one of our clients called us because they noticed their account balance was lower than usual. After looking into it, we discovered that there was an error with the bank’s software. The company fixed the issue, but I had to call all of our clients to let them know about the error. I used logic to determine who needed to be contacted and how best to communicate the situation.”