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How do I Become a Bank Examiner?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
A bank examiner typically has the job of monitoring banks to ensure they are obeying financial laws, to make sure they remain financially stable, and to assess their performance. The exact requirements for securing a job in this field may depend on the jurisdiction in which the person wishes to work. In most cases, however, a person who wants to become a bank examiner earns a bachelor's degree in finance to prepare for this job. Often, he also has to pass a financial examiner test and gain experience in the banking industry before he will be considered a viable candidate for this position.
The duties of a bank examiner are typically focused on making sure banks are obeying financial laws and complying with acceptable policies and practices. A person in this field may be charged with checking a bank's records and performing audits to make sure it remains in compliance. He may also work to evaluate how well a bank is performing and assess how knowledgeable and efficient its staff members are. A person in this field is usually responsible for drafting reports about his findings and sharing them with bank directors or boards. He typically travels to different bank branches to perform his duties, but he may use electronic means of accessing records and drafting reports as well.
To become a bank examiner, a person usually has to graduate from high school or earn an equivalent diploma. In high school, math classes and courses that help a person to develop his analytical abilities may begin to prepare him for this job. Additionally, a person usually needs good communication skills to perform well as an examiner. As such, an aspiring bank examiner may benefit from taking composition courses to build his written communication skills and public-speaking courses to develop his verbal abilities.
An individual who want to become a bank examiner usually has to complete a bachelor's degree in finance or a closely-related field to prepare for this job. Among the courses he'll usually take are those in economics, security analysis, and accounting. After college, a person interested in this career will usually have to work in the banking industry in order to gain some related experience before applying to become a bank examiner. For example, he may work as a bank manager. He'll usually also have to take an exam or series of exams in order to demonstrate his abilities.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![A bank examiner typically has the job of monitoring banks to ensure they are obeying financial laws.]()
By: PefkosA bank examiner typically has the job of monitoring banks to ensure they are obeying financial laws. -
![An aspiring bank examiner will need to excel in math classes.]()
By: Nikon'asAn aspiring bank examiner will need to excel in math classes. -
![Public-speaking classes can help improve the communication skills of an aspiring bank examiner.]()
By: Minerva StudioPublic-speaking classes can help improve the communication skills of an aspiring bank examiner.
Discussion Comments
@allenJo - I’ve heard of that legislation but it’s not the duty of the bank examiner to ensure that these banks are not “too big to fail” – it’s the duty of the banks.
They have to ensure that they don’t take the unnecessary risks that brought down so many banks in 2008 and 2009, like risky loans and stuff like that.
The bank examiner just has to make sure that the banks are complying with current laws and regulations. In the final analysis, I don’t think any one person can predict the tipping point for an institution that is about the fail. The bank should be engaged in this periodic evaluation on its own.
Given what happened with the banking crisis of 2008, I think the role of the bank examiner is more important than ever.
Since the banking crisis the government has passed sweeping legislation that has given government greater oversight of these banks if they are in danger of failing.
The stakes are really high. A bank that fails can potentially be taken over by the government, and that’s the last thing that these banks want to happen.
So an examiner’s role is not simply to make sure that the books balance, but to ensure that the banks stay solvent enough to remain private entities, in my opinion. If you are a bank examiner, there is a lot riding on your shoulders.
@KaBoom - It sounds like you have a pretty active imagination. But then again, people have been murdered for less.
I'm just thinking that the amount of information a person needs to know to do this job is staggering. First of all, you have to know about the inner workings of banks. Then you need to know all the applicable laws and regulations! No wonder you need some experience and to pass an exam before working this job!
I feel like this job could be kind of dangerous. Imagine if a bank examiner uncovered some funny business going on at a bank? People can go to jail and lose their livelihoods if they are convicted of a banking crime. I can totally imagine a bank examiner getting murdered because they know certain information.
On the other hand, perhaps I've been watching too much Law & Order lately. But I really think it could happen!
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