20 Hancock Whitney Bank Interview Questions and Answers

Hancock Whitney is a regional bank headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, with over $30 billion in assets and more than 300 locations across the southern United States. The bank offers a full range of banking services, from personal checking and savings accounts to commercial loans and lines of credit.

If you’re applying for a job at Hancock Whitney, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Hancock Whitney interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Hancock Whitney Bank Interview Process

The interview process at Hancock Whitney Bank is generally pretty straightforward. Most positions will require at least one phone screening interview with HR, followed by a phone interview with the hiring manager. From there, candidates may be invited to an in-person interview with two hiring managers. Finally, job offers are typically made via phone call from HR. Some positions may also require additional steps like fingerprinting, a background check, and/or a drug test.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be easy or relaxing. However, some noted that the process can take a few weeks to complete. Additionally, it is important to be prepared for questions about your work history and experience, as well as general questions about your goals and ambitions.

1. Do you have any experience working in the banking industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working in a bank, which can be beneficial to them. If you do not have banking experience, it is important to highlight your transferable skills and how they could benefit the company.

Example: “I worked as a teller at my local Hancock Whitney Bank for two years before I graduated from college. During that time, I learned valuable customer service skills and developed my ability to work with others. I also gained knowledge of financial products and services, which helped me decide what career path I wanted to pursue.”

2. How would you deal with an angry customer?

This question can help interviewers assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would respond to a challenging situation and how you would use your problem-solving skills to resolve the issue. In your answer, demonstrate that you have strong communication skills and are willing to do what it takes to make customers happy.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble accessing their account online. I asked them if there was anything else we could do for them while we waited for the website to load. The customer said no, so I stayed on the phone with them until they were able to access their account. This helped calm them down and made them feel more comfortable.”

3. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. Employers ask it to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They also want to know if you can recognize your weaknesses and work on them. When answering this question, be honest but try to focus on your strengths.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to remain calm under pressure. I have had many situations where I needed to stay focused and keep my emotions in check. This skill has helped me solve problems and make quick decisions when necessary. My weakness is that I sometimes get overwhelmed by large projects. To overcome this, I break the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for myself.”

4. Tell us about a time when you had to make a decision that was not clear-cut, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to analyze all of the information available to you and how you came to your conclusion.

Example: “In my last position as a loan officer, I had a client who was looking for a home loan with a low interest rate. However, they were also looking for a mortgage that would allow them to pay off their house early without any penalties. At first, I thought there was no way we could offer both options, but after talking with my manager, we decided to offer a slightly higher interest rate in exchange for allowing the client to pay off their loan early.”

5. What do you think are some of the biggest issues facing banks today?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the banking industry and how you might approach challenges that arise. Use examples from your experience to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “I think one of the biggest issues facing banks today is customer service. Customers are looking for more personalized experiences when they interact with their financial institutions, but many times, this isn’t possible due to limited resources. I would implement a training program for all employees on how to better serve customers by listening to them and understanding their needs.”

6. Why do you want to work for Hancock Whitney Bank?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know that you have done some research on the organization and are excited about working there. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description and look at any recent news articles or social media posts from the company. This will help you understand what they value as an organization and show that you share those same values.

Example: “I am very interested in working for Hancock Whitney Bank because of its reputation for being a leader in the community. I feel like I would be able to use my skills and talents to help the bank achieve even more success. I also love the idea of working for a smaller financial institution where I can get to know all of my coworkers and clients.”

7. Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle large sums of money and keep track of transactions. This skill is important because you may be responsible for handling large amounts of cash at once, such as when making deposits or withdrawals from customers’ accounts. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you have experience with handling large sums of money in previous roles.

Example: “I am comfortable handling large amounts of money. In my last role, I was responsible for counting out stacks of bills and coins to make sure they were accurate before depositing them into the bank’s vault. I also had to count out larger checks and ensure that there was enough money in the account to cover them.”

8. Have you ever worked on a team before? If so, tell us about your experience.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new team members. It’s also an opportunity for you to share any previous work experience that may be relevant to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I’ve worked on teams before, and I find it beneficial because it allows me to collaborate with others and get different perspectives on projects. In my last role as a teller at Hancock Whitney Bank, I was part of a team that helped develop a new customer service training program. We all had different ideas and experiences we could contribute to the project, which made our final product even better.”

9. Describe your experience managing accounts and helping customers achieve their financial goals.

This question helps the interviewer determine your experience with customer service and how you interact with clients. Use examples from previous work to describe what types of accounts you managed, how you helped customers achieve their financial goals and any other skills that contributed to helping customers succeed.

Example: “In my last role as a personal banker at Hancock Whitney Bank, I worked with both individual and business clients to help them understand their account options and find solutions for their financial needs. For example, one client came in looking for ways to save money on his monthly expenses. After reviewing his current account, I recommended he change his savings account to an interest-bearing checking account. He was happy with this solution and appreciated my advice.”

10. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this role. Before your interview, read up on the company’s mission statement, values and recent news releases. You can also learn more about the position by reading through job descriptions for similar roles in the past.

Example: “I know that Hancock Whitney Bank has been around since 1856 and has over $1 billion in assets. I am impressed with the bank’s commitment to customer service and its dedication to helping small businesses succeed. I have noticed that the bank offers many different financial services, including loans, checking accounts and investment advice.”

11. Would you be okay working weekends and/or holidays?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re okay with working outside of normal business hours. They want employees who are willing to work when the bank is open and close, so they can provide excellent customer service at all times. In your answer, explain that you understand these shifts may be required from time to time. Explain that you would do everything in your power to ensure customers received quality service during these times.

Example: “I am a night owl, so I’m used to working late into the evening. However, I also know how important it is for businesses to have staff available on weekends and holidays. I would do whatever was necessary to ensure our customers had access to their accounts whenever they needed.”

12. How would you approach a difficult client?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would approach a difficult client, what steps you would take to resolve the situation and how you would use your communication skills to maintain a positive relationship with the customer.

Example: “In my previous role as a financial advisor, I had a client who was very upset about her investments. She felt like she wasn’t getting enough return on her money and wanted to know why we weren’t investing more of it in stocks. I listened carefully to her concerns and explained that our investment strategy is based on risk management. We try to balance high-risk investments with lower-risk ones so that we can minimize losses while still achieving growth.

She seemed satisfied with this explanation but asked if there were any other options for her portfolio. I suggested some alternative investments that might be better suited to her goals and preferences. She agreed to consider them and scheduled another appointment to discuss her decision.”

13. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you treat customers and whether you’re willing to go above and beyond for them. Use your answer to highlight a time when you went out of your way to help a customer, even if it wasn’t in a financial setting.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with their computer. They were trying to complete an important project, so they came into our office asking for help. I spent over two hours helping them fix their computer, going through each step until they could do it on their own. The next day, they returned to thank me personally and told me that they completed their assignment.”

14. Can you give an example of a situation where you were able to meet or exceed sales quotas?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to meet or exceed goals and quotas. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as the interviewer may ask you for specific details about how you met those quotas.

Example: “In my previous position at a small bank, I was tasked with increasing customer satisfaction by 10%. After conducting research on what customers were looking for, I implemented several strategies that increased customer satisfaction by 15% within six months of implementing them. This led to more customers opening accounts, which resulted in higher revenue.”

15. What is your experience using Microsoft Office?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience using the Microsoft Office suite of programs, which include Word, Excel and PowerPoint. This is a basic computer skill that many employees in business use on a daily basis. If you have limited experience with these programs, consider taking a class or practicing at home before your interview.

Example: “I’ve been using Microsoft Office since my first job as an administrative assistant for a small marketing firm. I learned how to use all three programs—Word, Excel and PowerPoint—to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. I also used them to organize client information and keep track of important deadlines.”

16. Do you have any experience with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the bank’s AML policies and procedures. If you don’t, it can be beneficial to explain how you would learn about them.

Example: “I’ve never worked at a financial institution that had specific anti-money laundering regulations, but I understand the importance of preventing money laundering. In my previous role as an accountant, I was responsible for ensuring all transactions were recorded accurately. This included monitoring accounts for any suspicious activity or large sums of money being deposited into accounts. I believe these skills are transferable to working in your organization.”

17. Do you have any certifications related to the position you are applying for?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they can benefit the company. If you have certifications, be sure to list them in your answer. You can also mention any relevant experience that helped you earn these certifications.

Example: “I am a Certified Financial Planner Professional through the CFP Board of Standards. I earned this certification after completing three years of education and training at the University of California, Berkeley. In my role as a financial advisor, I use this certification to help clients create long-term financial plans that meet their unique needs. I also hold an Investment Advisor Representative certification from FINRA.”

18. What is your salary expectation?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are in line with the salary range for the position. Before your interview, research what others in a similar role at the company earn and use that as a guide when answering this question. If you do not have access to this information, look at salaries for similar positions in other companies or industries.

Example: “I am looking for a salary of $50,000 per year. I know that is slightly above average for someone in my field, but I feel my experience makes me worth it. I also understand that there may be room for growth within the company, which would allow me to reach that goal.”

19. Do you have any experience with data security?

Hancock Whitney Bank is a financial institution that handles sensitive information, so they want to make sure you have experience with data security. This question helps them determine if you can handle the responsibility of protecting their customers’ personal and financial information. In your answer, explain how you would keep customer information safe.

Example: “I’ve worked in banking for five years now, and I know how important it is to protect our customers’ information. When working with confidential information, I always ensure my computer is secure by using antivirus software and firewalls. I also use strong passwords and two-factor authentication when logging into company accounts.”

20. When was the last time you used a computer program that you were unfamiliar with? How did you learn how to use it?

This question can help the interviewer determine your computer skills and how you approach new challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you are willing to learn new programs or software, even if it’s not part of your job description.

Example: “At my last job, I was asked to use a new accounting program for our company. At first, I was unsure about how to navigate through all the different features. However, I took the time to read through the manual and watch some online tutorials. After a few days, I felt comfortable using the program.”