Senior Universal Banker

First-Bank; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 4,064,000 - 4,959,000; Full time

Job summary

First Bank is seeking a Senior Banking Specialist to support daily branch operations and deliver an exceptional client experience in a busy retail environment.

The role involves teller processes, cash handling, compliance, and risk management, with a focus on cross-selling bank products to meet sales goals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous retail banking, branch operations, teller, cash handling, or financial services experience.
• Strong knowledge of teller operations, transaction processing, balancing, cash handling, and branch procedures.
• Strong customer service skills, including professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work accurately with client information, transaction records, account documentation, and banking systems.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine operational or client service issues.
• Strong attention to detail, judgment, and ability to follow policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include Saturdays.

Responsibilities

• Support daily branch operations in a non-transformed office with significant operational and transaction-processing needs.
• Serve as an experienced operational resource for branch team members, including guidance on teller transactions, balancing, cash handling, account servicing, and procedural questions.
• Support the accurate and efficient processing of client transactions, deposits, withdrawals, payments, wire requests, official checks, and other branch banking services.
• Assist with opening and closing branch procedures, vault balancing, cash ordering, cash limits, negotiable instruments, ATM support, and other operational controls as assigned.
• Monitor daily work to help ensure transactions and client requests are completed accurately and in accordance with established procedures.
• Help identify and resolve operational issues, balancing discrepancies, service concerns, and transaction exceptions.
• Escalate complex client, operational, compliance, or risk-related matters to branch leadership as appropriate.

Skills

Retail banking

Branch operations

Teller operations

Cash handling

Customer service

Cross-selling

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Team guidance

Problem solving

Job description

The Senior Banking Specialist is a senior branch operations role responsible for supporting the daily operational needs of the branch while delivering an exceptional client experience. This position is intended for an individual who enjoys sales and cross selling other bank products.

This role does include some teller operations, cash handling, compliance expectations, and risk management. This role will have sales goals. This role serves as an experienced banker resource within the branch and may provide day‑time guidance to branch team members on cross‑selling, transaction processing, balancing, account servicing, operational procedures, and client issue resolution.

The Lead Banking Specialist is expected to support accurate and efficient branch operations while helping ensure clients are served professionally, promptly, and in accordance with bank standards.

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as a Teller Supervisor, Lead Teller, Senior Teller, Banking Specialist III, Universal Banker, Branch Operations Specialist, Client Service Representative, Member Services Representative, or similar branch banking operations role. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in branch operations, cash handling, transaction processing, client service, operational problem‑solving, compliance, and supporting a high‑volume retail banking environment.

In This Role You Will

Branch Operations and Teller Support

• Support daily branch operations in a non‑transformed office with significant operational and transaction‑processing needs.
• Serve as an experienced operational resource for branch team members, including guidance on teller transactions, balancing, cash handling, account servicing, and procedural questions.
• Support the accurate and efficient processing of client transactions, deposits, withdrawals, payments, wire requests, official checks, and other branch banking services.
• Assist with opening and closing branch procedures, vault balancing, cash ordering, cash limits, negotiable instruments, ATM support, and other operational controls as assigned.
• Monitor daily work to help ensure transactions and client requests are completed accurately and in accordance with established procedures.
• Help identify and resolve operational issues, balancing discrepancies, service concerns, and transaction exceptions.
• Escalate complex client, operational, compliance, or risk‑related matters to branch leadership as appropriate.

Client Service and Relationship Support

• Deliver a professional, responsive, and high‑quality client experience during each interaction.
• Assist clients with routine and complex banking needs, including account inquiries, transaction requests, digital banking questions, and service‑related issues.
• Build trust with clients by providing accurate information, clear communication, and timely follow‑up.
• Identify opportunities to deepen client relationships by recognizing financial needs and making appropriate referrals to branch bankers or internal business partners.
• Support client adoption of digital banking, online banking, mobile banking, and self‑service options where appropriate.
• Provide service that is responsive to the needs of the local market, including clients who may prefer to conduct banking conversations in Mandarin or Cantonese.

Risk Management, Compliance and Controls

• Follow all bank policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and risk management expectations.
• Maintain strong attention to detail when processing transactions, reviewing documentation, handling cash, and supporting account servicing activities.
• Protect confidential client information and follow required privacy and information security standards.
• Support branch compliance with applicable banking regulations, operational controls, internal procedures, and audit expectations.
• Identify and report suspicious activity, fraud concerns, unusual transactions, operational exceptions, or potential risk issues in accordance with bank procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to transactions, account servicing, balancing, referrals, and operational activities.

Team Support and Branch Partnership

• Provide day‑time support to branch team members by modeling operational accuracy, client service, and adherence to procedures.
• Assist with training, coaching, or mentoring less experienced branch team members on teller operations, client service expectations, and branch processes.
• Partner with branch leadership to support staffing needs, workflow management, client traffic, and daily operational priorities.
• Contribute to a team environment focused on accountability, accuracy, client service, and operational excellence.
• Support sales and referral goals by identifying client needs and connecting clients with the appropriate banker or business partner.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compliance Requirements

As part of the employment process for this position, you will be required to meet the requirements of a background and credit check. This position requires compliance with the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 and all related regulations, if applicable to assigned duties. Ongoing employment may be contingent upon meeting all such requirements, including registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, NMLS.

Qualifications, Competencies and Skills

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous retail banking, branch operations, teller, cash handling, or financial services experience.
• Strong knowledge of teller operations, transaction processing, balancing, cash handling, and branch procedures.
• Strong customer service skills, including professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work accurately with client information, transaction records, account documentation, and banking systems.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine operational or client service issues.
• Strong attention to detail, judgment, and ability to follow policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include Saturdays.

Preferred

• Previous experience as a Teller Supervisor, Lead Teller, Senior Teller, Banking Specialist III, Universal Banker, Branch Operations Specialist, or similar branch banking role.
• Experience supporting a high‑volume or operations‑heavy branch environment.
• Experience providing day‑time guidance, training, or support to branch team members.
• Proficiency in Mandarin and Cantonese strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of retail banking products, deposit accounts, digital banking services, and branch compliance requirements.
• Good analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Compensation Disclosure

The range for this role takes into account many factors that First Bank considers when making hiring decisions, including but not limited to prior experience, skill set, training, and other internal business and organizational factors. First Bank generally does not hire at or near the top of the stated range. The range is driven by the geographic location of the anticipated hiring location; however, the specific range may vary depending on the geographic location for remote positions.

Compensation decisions depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each hiring instance. A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is $29.50 - $36.00 per hour.

About Us

Be a part of a growing company that is truly committed to its employees and clients. Consider joining the First Bank family. As a member of our family, you are part of one of the largest independent banks in the U.S. We are proud of our growth and success over the past 100 years and look forward to a bright and promising future.

Diversity

At First Bank one of our biggest strengths is the diversity of our people. Our mission is to capitalize on the diversity of our associates and promote personal and professional development throughout every area of the organization. We encourage diversity by actively seeking employees from various backgrounds, walks of life, and job skills. We strongly encourage you to apply whenever a First Bank job opportunity interests you.

First Bank is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Attn: Applicants interested in a San Francisco based position: First Bank will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

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