20 Standard Chartered Bank Interview Questions and Answers

When you go for a job interview at Standard Chartered Bank, you can expect to be asked some specific questions about the company. This is your chance to show that you’ve done your research and are truly interested in working for the bank.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Standard Chartered Bank interview questions and answers. These questions will cover topics such as the bank’s history, its operations, and its plans for the future. By preparing thoughtful responses to these questions, you’ll be able to make a strong impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job.

Standard Chartered Bank Interview Process

The interview process at Standard Chartered Bank is long and difficult. It can take up to two months to complete, and the interviews are very challenging. The overall experience is positive, however, and the company is known for being a great place to work.

1. Why do you want to work at Standard Chartered Bank?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When you answer this question, it’s important to show that you have done some research on the organization and can explain why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I want to work at Standard Chartered Bank because I’ve heard so many good things about the company culture. In my research, I found out that the company offers excellent benefits and has an innovative approach to business. I’m very interested in working for a company that values its employees and strives to be successful.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I always make sure that my work is error-free and that I have all the information I need before starting a project. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on doing things perfectly that I take longer than necessary to complete projects. I’m working on improving my time management skills.”

3. How would you respond if a customer asked for advice on how to invest their money?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would use your knowledge of financial products to help customers make informed decisions. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a customer choose an investment strategy or other financial product that worked well for them.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking for advice on investing their money in stocks. I explained the different types of stocks and what they were best suited for, as well as which ones might be good investments for them based on their goals. They decided to invest in small-cap stocks because they wanted to grow their portfolio quickly. After three years, they sold their stocks at a profit and used those funds to start a business.”

4. Do you have a degree in finance, business or economics?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the education and experience needed for the role. If you don’t have a degree in finance, business or economics, explain what other educational background you do have that makes you qualified for the position.

Example: “I actually studied marketing in college. However, I took several finance classes as part of my major and really enjoyed them. After graduation, I worked at a small marketing firm where I learned more about financial management. Eventually, I was promoted to senior account manager, which required me to manage budgets and work with clients on their finances.”

5. Give an example of a time when you had to think quickly under pressure.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation in detail and explain how you solved the issue or challenge.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, there were times when I had to make important decisions quickly. For example, one time I noticed that we were running low on supplies for our restaurant. I immediately contacted the supplier to place an order for more supplies. The next day, the new shipment arrived and we were able to continue serving customers.”

6. Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team that was not effective. What did you do to improve communication?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you were able to improve communication with your team members or help them understand each other’s perspectives.

Example: “In my last role as a loan officer, I worked on a team of three other loan officers. One day, one of the loan officers was having a particularly busy day and forgot to submit some paperwork for a client. The next morning, when we all met in our office, the loan officer who forgot to submit the paperwork apologized to the rest of us. However, she did not apologize to the client.

I spoke up and said that I understood why she forgot to submit the paperwork but that I also felt like she should apologize to the client. She agreed and called the client to apologize. Afterward, we discussed how important it is to communicate with each other more often so that situations like this do not happen again.”

7. Describe what makes a good leader in your opinion.

Standard Chartered Bank wants to know that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to lead a team of employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe what makes a good leader in your opinion and how you would apply those qualities to your role as an employee at Standard Chartered Bank.

Example: “A good leader is someone who has the ability to motivate their team members while also being able to make decisions on their own. I believe that leaders should always be available to listen to their team members’ concerns and help them find solutions to any problems they may be having. In my experience, I’ve found that listening to others is one of the best ways to learn new ideas and improve processes.”

8. When was the last time you made a mistake? What did you do about it?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to challenges. It can also help the interviewer get an idea of your problem-solving skills and ability to take responsibility for your actions.

Example: “When I was working as a teller, I accidentally gave a customer $100 too much in change. When they realized their mistake, they were very upset with me. I apologized profusely and offered to give them back the money or deposit it into their account. They eventually accepted my apology and deposited the extra money into their account.”

9. Have you ever had difficulty working with someone?

This question can help employers learn more about your interpersonal skills. They want to know that you can work with others and collaborate on projects. In your answer, try to explain how you resolved the conflict or disagreement.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who was very detail-oriented. She would often correct me when I made small mistakes in my work. At first, I found it helpful because I wanted to improve my work. However, after a while, I felt like she was being too critical of my work. I talked to her about this issue, and we came up with a compromise where she would give me feedback but not correct every mistake. This helped us both feel better about our working relationship.”

10. How does this position fit into your career path?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for your career and how this job fits into it. You can answer by describing what you hope to gain from this position, such as new skills or experiences, and how you see yourself growing in your career.

Example: “I am excited about this position because I think it will be a great next step in my career. I’ve been working at smaller banks for several years now, so I’m ready to take on more responsibility and work with larger accounts. This role would allow me to do that while also developing my leadership skills. I know I could make valuable contributions to the team.”

11. What is one way you could contribute to our company’s growth?

Standard Chartered Bank is looking for employees who can help the company grow and succeed. This question helps them determine if you have ideas on how to improve your department or the bank as a whole. Use examples from your previous experience that show you are willing to take initiative and make positive changes.

Example: “I believe one way I could contribute to Standard Chartered Bank’s growth is by improving our customer service. In my last position, I noticed customers were often frustrated with their experiences in contacting us. I started an initiative where we would call every customer back within 24 hours of their initial contact. We also offered free shipping on all orders over $100. These two things helped increase sales by 10%.”

12. If a colleague came up to you with an idea that was different from your own, how would you react? Would you be open to discussing it?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. It also helps the interviewer determine how you might fit into their team, as they want employees who can get along and support one another. In your answer, try to show that you value other people’s opinions and are willing to listen to them.

Example: “I would be open to discussing my colleague’s idea because I believe it’s important to hear all sides of an issue before making a decision. If I disagreed with their opinion, I would explain why I feel that way and ask for clarification if necessary. I would hope that by listening to what they had to say, we could come up with a solution that works for everyone.”

13. Do you prefer working independently or in a group?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their organization. They may be looking for someone who is comfortable working independently, but they also want to know that you are able to work well with others when necessary. Your answer should show that you have both skills and can use them as needed.

Example: “I prefer working on my own because I am very self-motivated and driven to succeed. However, I understand that sometimes it’s necessary to work in a group setting. In those situations, I try to contribute as much as possible while still allowing others to do the same. I find that by doing this, we all get more done.”

14. Are you willing to travel?

This question is often asked to determine if you are willing to travel for work. Employers want employees who will be able to meet the demands of their job, including traveling when necessary. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention that you have experience with traveling and how you plan to manage your time while on a business trip.

Example: “I am more than willing to travel for work. In my previous position, I was required to travel once or twice per month. I always made sure to pack plenty of snacks and entertainment so I could stay productive during my trips. I also used apps like Google Maps to help me navigate unfamiliar areas.”

15. In your opinion, what can make a financial institution stand out against its competitors?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the financial industry and how you can contribute to a company’s success. You can use examples from your previous experience or discuss what makes Standard Chartered Bank unique.

Example: “I believe that a financial institution should be able to provide its customers with excellent customer service, as this will help them stand out against their competitors. I have worked in several banks where customer service was not always a priority, but at my current job, we are encouraged to go above and beyond for our clients. For example, when one of my clients called me because they were having trouble logging into their account online, I stayed on the phone with them until they figured it out. This made them feel valued and helped build trust between us.”

16. What is your experience working with analytical tools such as SAS?

Standard Chartered Bank uses SAS, a software tool that helps users analyze data and create reports. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience with this type of software and how you use it to complete tasks. If you have no prior experience working with SAS, you can talk about other analytical tools you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have worked with SAS before at my previous job where I was responsible for analyzing large amounts of data using SAS. This helped me understand what information is important when looking at data sets and how to interpret them. I also learned how to use SAS to generate reports that are easy to read.”

17. What is your experience with computer programming languages?

Standard Chartered Bank is a large financial institution that requires its employees to have strong computer skills. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with coding languages and how you apply them in your work. If you have experience using specific programming languages, share the ones you know along with what you’ve done with them.

Example: “I have some experience with Java, C++ and Python. I used these languages when I worked as an IT specialist at my previous job. My role was to troubleshoot issues with computers and software programs for our clients. I also helped other IT specialists learn new coding languages so they could perform their jobs more efficiently.”

18. Are you familiar with Bloomberg Terminal?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using Bloomberg Terminal, a financial software program that many banks use. If you are not familiar with the terminal, explain what it is and how you would learn to use it.

Example: “I am familiar with Bloomberg Terminal because I used it at my last job. It’s an excellent resource for accessing real-time market data and performing research on companies. While I’m still learning about Standard Chartered Bank, I think I could quickly become proficient in using Bloomberg Terminal here.”

19. Which segment of private banking do you feel most comfortable dealing with?

This question is designed to assess your comfort level with the various segments of private banking. It also helps employers determine if you have experience in any specific segment, such as wealth management or investment banking. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few reasons why you feel comfortable working in each area.

Example: “I am most comfortable working with high-net-worth clients and ultra-high-net-worth clients. I find that these clients are often looking for someone who will provide them with financial advice on an ongoing basis. They want someone they can trust and rely on to help them make important decisions about their finances. In my previous role, I worked exclusively with high-net-worth clients, so I am very familiar with the challenges and opportunities associated with this type of client.”

20. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly research the job description so you know what skills they’re looking for in an ideal candidate. In your answer, try to highlight some of these skills while also sharing any unique or impressive experiences that might not be on the job description.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate for this role because of my extensive experience with customer service. Throughout my career, I’ve worked as both a teller and a loan officer, which has given me valuable insight into how customers interact with different types of employees. I’m confident that I can use this knowledge to help Standard Chartered Bank create a positive customer experience.”