8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Knew -Thrifty Nifty Mommy (2024)

By: Author Janice

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My mother worked at a bank, my aunt worked at a bank, my sister worked at a bank, and I have worked at a bank now for quite a few years. There are many things you may be curious about. What goes on behind the scenes of the teller line? Do they just sit around in their chairs and count money? Well, I’m about to spill the beans on all the dirty, money secrets!

Read on…

8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Would Know

1) Please, bring your deposit tickets. I cannot tell you how many times a day I would write a deposit ticket for a customer. Is it checking or savings? I probably mutter those words in my sleep. Nothing is more valuable than either A) knowing your account number and filling it out on a slip OR B) having your pre-printed deposit ticket ready to go! Your account number is individualized. That is YOUR account. Not only does it save time for both you and the teller, but it also leaves no room for error when you have the number ready for the teller behind the line. Most banks will even order your deposit tickets for you-at no charge!

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2) Send in your photo ID whenever you are receiving cash or a balance. There are so many instances I can remember where I would ask someone for their ID and they would get upset with me for asking. If you do not know the teller by name, chances are they do not know you! Tellers see hundreds of faces every day-they cannot remember every one. They do not ask for your ID to be annoying, they ask because they are looking out for you. Sending in your debit card is nota photo ID; it actually does not help, except for telling them the name on the account.

3) A checkbook register is your best friend. You may wonder what people did to keep track of their balances and purchases before the time of telephone, internet, text, and mobile banking. Well, they used something called a checkbook register and chances are your bank also offers these for free. While checking your account online is a wonderful way to remind you of purchases, some transactionsdo not always come through the moment you swipe that card, nor does it keep track of that check you wrote out a month ago that has yet to be cashed.

4) When a teller greets you in the lobby and politely says, “We will be with you in a moment” is not an invitation to walk up to their teller window and wait. Usually when a teller says this, it means that they see you, but are currently occupied and will be with you in a moment. They do not like you waiting at theirwindow, because chances are they have other customer’s informationat their station. They are trying to protect the other customer’s privacy, just as you would want them to protect yours.

5) They like to go home at a reasonable time, too. Please, try not to wait until 2 minutes before the bank is supposed to close to bring your large transaction. If you have ever worked retail, it’s kind of like that customer that walks into the store a few minutes before closing time when you’ve already gotten everything ready for you to leave.

6) A bank teller does not control fees-nor do they have any “power” in changing them. They do not set the amount of the fee a bank charges for an overdraft, a wire, an official check, a return check, or a early closeout. If you walk into the bank, wanting to get a fee refunded, ask to see the manager.

7) Personal checks are usually cheaper if you order them from a company not through the bank. Do your research when you order checks. Call your bank to see how much it costs you to go through their check ordering company, then check online. You can even order checks through Amazon now. Don’t use checks that often but want to have some just in case? Most banks offer “variety packs,” which consist of around 50 checks of different graphics. It never hurts to have a few on hand. A lot of gyms and places of employment like to use at least one voided check to get your routing and account number.

8) A routing and account number – how do I know which is which?! When looking at your checks, there should be 3 sets of numbers at the bottom. One is the check number (which should also be the top right number in the corner too), and then two other (longer) numbers. Your routing number will always be the number between the smiley faces. Didn’t know you had smiley faces on your checks?! Give it a look! The bottom of your check will look something like this:

|: 050110203 |: 05697656 00101 See the smiley face now?

Do you currently or have you worked at a bank? Do you feel like I missed something important?

Do you still have lingering questions about banking? Ask me and I’ll try to answer as best as possible!

As always, thank you for reading! Like what I write? The biggest compliment you can give me is to refer my writing to a friend, share it on your Facebook, or Pin it! on your Pinterest

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8 Things Your Bank Teller Wishes You Knew -Thrifty Nifty Mommy (2024)

FAQs

Why do bank tellers ask so many questions? ›

Have you ever wondered why bank tellers often ask questions about your transaction? They are doing it for very good reasons! An important part of the teller's job is to protect customers by watching for potential fraud. Some transactions may require verification of identification, which is a government regulation.

What do banks call tellers? ›

A bank teller (often abbreviated to simply teller) is an employee of a bank whose responsibilities include the handling of customer cash and negotiable instruments. In some places, this employee is known as a cashier or customer representative.

What is a 7 day hold on a check? ›

Banks can place additional holds on larger checks above $5,525. In these instances, your financial institution may hold the remainder of the check for up to seven days to ensure the transaction is valid and legal.

Is it illegal for a bank to put a hold on a payroll check? ›

Can the bank place a hold on a payroll check? Yes. When funds become available for withdrawal primarily depends on the type of deposit. While all banks are subject to the same maximum hold periods established by law, each bank may make deposits available sooner.

What annoys bank tellers? ›

Let's go!
  • #1 You don't know your account number. ...
  • #2 You don't know the last check you wrote. ...
  • #3 You cut in line. ...
  • #4 Yes, tellers have to take their lunches. ...
  • #5 You want a loan for $20,000. ...
  • #6 …Or you do have a lot of money and are a valued customer of the bank.
Jan 4, 2021

Why do banks ask why you're withdrawing cash? ›

Withdrawals over $10,000 may trigger Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing red flags and cause the bank to ask questions about your cash. These should be pretty easy to answer and leave with your money. For withdrawals under $10,000 there is less reason for the bank to want to know why you want your own cash.

What is a fancy name for a bank teller? ›

cashier. nounas in bank worker. accountant. banker. bursar.

What position is higher than bank teller? ›

Most employers require at least a high school diploma, but advancement will often require a bachelors degree. Teller is usually the first in a career path that can soon lead to loan officer or personal banker for those who show promise.

Can bank tellers see your balance? ›

Can bank tellers see your balance? Yes. But that helps them to assist you with your banking needs. They will also have access to your personal information to verify your identity as a safeguard against fraud.

Can I deposit $5000 cash in a bank? ›

Depending on the situation, deposits smaller than $10,000 can also get the attention of the IRS. For example, if you usually have less than $1,000 in a checking account or savings account, and all of a sudden, you make bank deposits worth $5,000, the bank will likely file a suspicious activity report on your deposit.

How much money can you put in a bank without questions? ›

Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

Can I deposit $2000 cash? ›

As long as the source of your funds is legitimate and you can provide a clear and reasonable explanation for the cash deposit, there is no legal restriction on depositing any sum, no matter how large. So, there is no need to overly worry about how much cash you can deposit in a bank in one day.

Can banks refuse to give you your money? ›

Yes, they can refuse to give you your money if they think something fraudulent is going on. If they think there is money laundering going on, they can put a hold on your account and refused to give you your money until you have proven different.

Can the government see how much money is in your bank account? ›

The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you're being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.

How long does it take for a $30,000 check to clear? ›

Generally, it takes two to five business days to get all the funds from a check into your account. However, some factors might hold up the check-clearing process, like the status of your account or the place where you deposited the check.

Why is my bank asking personal questions? ›

When you call your bank to ask a question or to perform banking transactions, the bank employee on the other end of the phone may ask you some personal details to confirm your identity. This is because the employee needs to verify you are who you say you are before proceeding with any actions related to your accounts.

What is the hardest part of being a bank teller? ›

Bank Tellers often face a fast-paced environment, managing financial transactions with precision while providing excellent customer service. Stress can arise from handling large sums of money, adhering to strict security protocols, and dealing with diverse customer needs.

How to pass a bank teller interview? ›

During the interview, be prepared to provide specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role. Show enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic. And also, don't neglect your appearance because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Why are banks asking questions? ›

This is in place because financial institutions want to protect you and your money to keep you safe from scams, fraud and financial crime. These questions can feel intrusive, but they are there to safeguard you and your money.

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