Commercial banks hire for dozens of roles, from tellers and loan officers to risk managers and software engineers
The number of open positions in commercial banking shifts month to month and varies by region, bank size, and economic conditions. There is no single national count—job openings appear on individual bank career pages, job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, and industry-specific sites. What you can do is search by role type and location to see what is actually hiring near you right now, rather than looking for a total number that changes daily.
Commercial banks employ people in customer-facing roles, operations, technology, compliance, and management. A large regional bank might have 50 to 200 open positions at any given time across all departments. A community bank might have 5 to 15. National banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase post hundreds of openings across their networks, but many are in specific locations or require certain credentials.
Key Takeaways
- Job openings in commercial banking are posted on bank websites, LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry job boards—not in a single searchable database.
- Common entry-level roles include teller, customer service representative, and loan processor; mid-level roles include loan officer, relationship manager, and compliance analyst.
- Hiring volume depends on the bank's size, location, and current business activity—larger banks and growing regions tend to post more openings.
- Banking jobs often require a high school diploma for entry-level work, but supervisory and professional roles typically require a bachelor's degree or relevant certification.
Where commercial bank job openings are posted
Start with the career pages of banks you want to work for. Most major banks have a dedicated careers section on their website where you can filter by location, job category, and experience level. This is often the fastest way to see what a specific bank is hiring for right now.
General job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor aggregate banking positions from many employers. You can search by job title (teller, loan officer, compliance analyst) and location to see what is available across multiple banks in your area. Industry-specific boards like BankingJobs.com and FinancialCareers.com focus only on banking and finance roles, which can narrow your search.
Local and regional banks often post openings on their own websites first, before listing them elsewhere. If you are looking for work at a community bank or credit union in your area, call the branch directly or visit their website—smaller institutions may not use national job boards.
Common entry-level and mid-level roles in commercial banking
Teller positions are the most common entry point. Banks hire tellers continuously to handle cash, process deposits and withdrawals, and answer customer questions. Most require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Turnover is high, so openings appear regularly.
Customer service representative roles involve answering phones, responding to emails, and resolving account issues. These positions often do not require banking experience and are available at most banks year-round.
Loan processor positions handle the paperwork and verification for mortgage, auto, and personal loans. They typically require attention to detail and some familiarity with financial documents, but not a degree. Many banks hire processors in batches when loan volume increases.
Loan officer roles involve meeting with customers, assessing their needs, and structuring loan products. These positions usually require a bachelor's degree and a license (obtained through study and exam). Hiring depends on loan demand and varies by season—mortgage lending picks up in spring and summer.
Compliance analyst and risk analyst positions focus on regulatory requirements and internal controls. These roles typically require a bachelor's degree and may prefer candidates with compliance or audit experience. Larger banks hire more compliance staff than smaller ones.
Technology and operations roles—software developer, systems administrator, business analyst—are increasingly common as banks modernize. These positions usually require a degree in computer science or related field and technical skills. Salaries for tech roles are often higher than for traditional banking positions.
How hiring volume changes by season and economic conditions
Banking hiring is not steady throughout the year. Mortgage lending accelerates in spring and early summer, so banks hire more loan officers and processors during those months. Retail banking (branch teller and customer service) hires year-round but often ramps up before the holidays when customer traffic increases.
Economic conditions affect hiring too. When interest rates rise, banks may hire more loan officers to manage refinancing activity. When the economy slows, hiring often freezes or shrinks. During the 2020 pandemic, many banks hired remote customer service staff; during 2023 and 2024, some reduced headcount through attrition.
Mergers and acquisitions create temporary hiring spikes as banks integrate systems and consolidate operations. Conversely, they can also trigger layoffs in overlapping departments. Watching banking news can give you a sense of which banks are expanding or contracting in your region.
Education and licensing requirements by role
Entry-level roles like teller and customer service representative require a high school diploma or GED. Banks provide on-the-job training for these positions, and no prior banking experience is necessary.
Loan officer positions require a bachelor's degree in most cases and a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) license if you originate mortgages. The license involves passing the NMLS exam and completing continuing education. Some banks hire loan officers without a degree if they have significant lending experience, but this is less common.
Compliance, audit, and risk roles typically require a bachelor's degree. Certifications like Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) are valued but not always required at entry level.
Technology roles require a degree in computer science, information technology, or engineering, or demonstrated technical skills through a portfolio or bootcamp. Some banks hire developers without a degree if they can pass a technical assessment.
How to search for openings and track hiring at specific banks
Create job alerts on LinkedIn and Indeed using keywords like "bank teller," "loan officer," or "compliance analyst" plus your city or region. You will receive email notifications when new positions match your criteria.
Follow the career pages of banks you are interested in. Many allow you to subscribe to notifications for specific job categories or locations. This is more direct than using a general job board and often shows openings before they appear elsewhere.
Check Glassdoor for company reviews and salary information. Employees post reviews of banks as employers, which can help you understand workplace culture and compensation. Glassdoor also shows recent job postings and hiring trends for each company.
Attend banking industry job fairs and networking events. Many regional banks and banking associations host career events where you can meet recruiters and learn about openings that may not be posted online yet. Local chambers of commerce and community colleges often promote these events.
Factors that affect how many positions are open at any given time
Bank size matters significantly. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo each employ over 200,000 people and post hundreds of openings regularly. A regional bank with 5,000 employees might post 20 to 50 openings. A community bank with 100 employees might have 1 to 3.
Geographic location affects hiring volume. Banks in growing metropolitan areas and tech hubs hire more aggressively than those in shrinking regions. If you are in a major city, you will see more openings than in a rural area.
Business cycle and interest rate environment shape hiring. When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, banks often hire more loan officers and risk managers. When rates are stable or falling, hiring may slow.
Turnover rates vary by role. Teller positions have high turnover (people often move to other roles or leave banking), so banks hire continuously. Specialized roles like compliance analyst have lower turnover, so openings appear less frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to work at a commercial bank?
No, not for entry-level roles. Tellers and customer service representatives need a high school diploma and willingness to learn. Loan officers, compliance staff, and management positions typically require a bachelor's degree, but some banks hire experienced people without degrees into mid-level roles.
What is the average salary for different banking roles?
Salaries vary by location, bank size, and experience. Tellers typically earn $28,000 to $35,000 per year. Loan officers earn $50,000 to $80,000 or more depending on commission. Compliance analysts earn $55,000 to $75,000. Technology roles often pay $70,000 to $120,000 or higher. Check Glassdoor and PayScale for current ranges in your area.
How long does it take to get hired at a bank?
Entry-level positions often move quickly—you may interview and receive an offer within one to two weeks. Professional roles like loan officer or compliance analyst typically take three to six weeks from application to offer, as they involve multiple rounds of interviews and background checks.
Are remote banking jobs common?
Yes, especially for customer service, loan processing, and compliance roles. Many banks now hire remote or hybrid staff for these positions. Branch teller and relationship manager roles are almost always in-person. Check the job posting to see whether a role is remote, hybrid, or on-site.
What skills do banks look for most?
Customer service skills, attention to detail, and basic computer proficiency are valued across most roles. For specialized positions, banks look for relevant experience or certifications. For technology roles, they prioritize coding ability and problem-solving. For compliance, they want knowledge of regulations and audit processes.