Branch Manager I

About the Role

The Branch Manager I supports the Retail Area Manager, ensuring smooth and efficient branch operations. This role provides leadership, training, and supervision within the branch while promoting business growth through strong customer relations and referrals. The Branch Manager assists in achieving Bank and branch goals through active participation in sales management and officer call programs, supervises branch staff, and coordinates operational coverage, including courier services. This position is accountable for adherence to Bank policies and procedures and is designed for individuals with less than 5 years of branch banking or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides supervision and support to all assigned areas of branch operations, overseeing tellers, new accounts, and other operations personnel; opens and closes the branch.
• Reinforces superior customer service through personal example, follow-through, and periodic meetings with staff.
• Responds to customer inquiries or refers them to the appropriate department or person, ensuring follow-through with customers and staff.
• Ensures audit compliance and quality control by conducting branch operational reviews, recommending corrective actions, and performing unannounced audits of branch cash funds and limits.
• Maintains compliance with Bank policies, procedures, and state and federal regulations.
• Fosters a positive sales environment by educating staff on Bank products and services, monitoring cross-selling efforts, and organizing branch resources for maximum results.
• Contributes to branch profitability through cost controls, income generation, loan growth, deposit growth, and marketing efforts.
• Applies sound decision-making techniques for inquiries, approvals, and requests within assigned approval limits, using these instances for employee development.
• Manages all branch lending functions, including origination, processing, booking, loan documentation, payoffs, and collections.
• Prepares and oversees loan reports, including asset classification, nonaccrual, appraiser status, unsecured status, board reports, and credit risk reviews.
• Assists other branches with operational inquiries and provides staff support; participates in internal committees as assigned.
• Ensures accurate completion of operational reports initiated by the Bank’s data processor and internal reports.
• Develops and grows branch staff through strong communication, delegation, and cross-training.
• Performs personnel actions, including performance appraisals, disciplinary actions, interviewing candidates, and supervising daily staff activities.
• Ensures compliance with security precautions to protect customer deposits, bank assets, and staff.
• Performs teller, vault teller, new account, utility specialist, and safe deposit duties as needed.
• Processes complex customer transactions, resolves problems, and answers inquiries within given authority.
• Operates computer systems to process account activity, determine balances, and resolve issues.
• Answers telephones, directs callers to appropriate personnel, and maintains advanced knowledge of the financial industry and trends.
• Completes annual compliance courses and adheres to corporate policies, Federal and State regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
• Adheres to Service Excellence standards and performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent work experience (0-5 years of management experience).
• Educational experience through in-house training, formal schooling, or financial industry-related curriculum.
• Intermediate knowledge of Bank operations, products, services, and related state and federal laws and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Intermediate computer skills, including proficiency in mainframe systems, word processing, spreadsheets, and specialty software programs.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Leadership and supervision of branch staff.
• Customer service and relationship management.
• Sales management and cross-selling of Bank products and services.
• Decision-making and problem-solving within established policies.
• Branch lending functions, including loan origination, processing, and reporting.
• Operational compliance and audit procedures.
• Staff training, development, and performance management.
• Computer proficiency in banking systems and software.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Requires vision, hearing, speech, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and use hands and fingers.
• Must be able to work the hours and days required to complete essential functions.
• Professional office environment with standard office equipment.

Cognitive Requirements

• Learning, thinking, and concentration abilities.
• Ability to exercise self-control and work in a customer relations environment.
• Attention to detail and teamwork.
• Effective interaction with co-workers and customers, including diplomacy and discretion in sensitive situations.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.