OFO No:

What is a Forex Trader?

A Forex Trader is a specialised investor that focuses on foreign currency. This is a very exciting career as every minute is different. You have to remain sharp, keep calm and pay attention at all times.

The Forex Trader will closely study the international currency markets, analyse the data and then make informed decisions to make timeous trades. Timing is extremely important. One minute could make a huge difference to profits or losses.

Forex Traders need to keep up to date with current affairs and political situations. These can have direct influence on currencies.

Some Forex Traders work for large investment companies and others are self-employed.

Remember:

Forex trading happens 24 hours a day around the world. Changes can happen a second. The value of currencies can change in a heartbeat. For this reason, it’s a very competitive, exciting career choice with lots of stress. Very good Forex Traders can make a lot of money.

What does a Forex Trader do?

• spends hours and hours researching the currency markets
• keeps up to date with currency information
• spends hours reading about current affairs
• analyses and compares data
• stays focused at all times
• makes trades (sells & buys) currency at specific times
• attends seminars

Are you . . . ?

• good at mathematics?
• intelligent?
• calm under pressure?
• analytical?
• responsible and reliable?
• a hard worker?
• ambitious?
• competitive?
• interested in world news?

How do I become a Forex Trader?

A Forex Trader will have a degree in banking, finance or investments or relevant qualification. They will also have years of experience working in a bank or financial institution learning about foreign currencies and trading. Once they have the right training and skill set, they could be promoted into this position or go out on their own.

These degrees can be done at SA universities.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Personal Banker … or … Internal Audit Manager

Is becoming a Forex Trader the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 134601

What is a Bank Manager?

Bank Managers are responsible for making sure that the bank functions as it should on a daily and annual basis.

Bank Managers need to know how each aspect of their bank and the banking world functions so that they know what it takes to oversee each department.

Integrity and model behaviour is vital at all times in this profession.

Bank Managers must be able to communicate well and be able to understand and enjoy financial matters. You need to have a well-developed sense of responsibility, be empathic with people, have initiative, the ability to work under pressure, intelligence, be dependable and appreciate excellent service.

This job can be very demanding at times as there is a lot of pressure running a bank and dealing large sums of other peoples’ or companies money. But there is a rewarding side too! You get to work with people and help them with their financial planning as well as working to develop better banking workers skills.

What does a Bank Manager do?

• liaises regularly with clients (new and old)
• promotes and markets their branch and its products
• meets with customers and resolves any problems or complaints
• manages staff
• ensures there’s a high level of customer service
• monitors sales targets
• reports to head office

Are you . . . ?

• good with people ?
• good with numbers and business?
• good at making sales?
• decisive?
• honest and trustworthy?
• discreet?
• computer literate?

How do I become a Bank Manager?

A Bank Manager holds a senior position in the company. To get to this level, a Bank Manager needs years of relevant work experience and training.

As a Matriculant, you will have to start at the bottom and work very hard to rise up throught the company. To jump up the corporate ladder you will need a qualification/s in commerce or finance or accounting.

In-service training is provided in general banking procedures and specialized services. All banks have their own training colleges. Banks sometimes accept matriculants but are also interested in graduates in the business and commercial sciences.

All universities offer a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree which provides programmes that can prepares you for a banking environment.

Some degrees or diplomas even specialise in BANKING – so look out for them.

PATH 1

• Certificate in Banking 
• Advanced Certificate in Banking Services 
• Managerial workplace experience

PATH 2

• Certificate in Banking 
• Higher Certificate in Banking 

PATH 3

• Diploma in Banking 
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Banking 
• Managerial workplace experience

PATH 4

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Banking 
• Managerial workplace experience

PATH 5

• Bachelor of Banking
• Postgraduate Diploma in Banking
• Managerial workplace experience

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• Recommended subjects: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Science, Economics

DEGREES

• All universities offer a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)

DIPLOMAS

• A lot of training institutions offer relevant courses.

• INSTITUTE of BANKERS

The Institute of Bankers is the examination body for the banking sector and offers a wide variety of diplomas in banking:

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Economist … or … Bookkeeper … or … Accountant

Is becoming a Bank Manager the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Banking Analyst?

A Banking Analyst is a highly professional person who researches and studies financial information to help banks and other financial institutions.

Money is very precious and everyone is worried about their money so very important decisions have to be made. Banking Analysts help institutions make decisions with the least risk and how to improve their financial standing.

This job takes up a lot of time, even after hours. You do not get paid overtime. You will always have to be on top of your game and up to date with all matters both financial and political. Political situations have a direct impact on financial matters and institutions.

Banking Analysts usually work their way up through the company to a more managerial position.

What does a Banking Analyst do?

• spends a lot of time of the computer
• collects information about company’s performance
• researches and analyses financial data
• keeps up to date with political situations around the world
• writes reports
• liaises with managers and other executive staff members
• recommends or comments on financial policies and investments
• limits risk
• compares company’s position with other companies in the same sector
• designs long term financial models

Are you . . . ?

• good at mathematics?
• analytical?
• good at research?
• confident?
• intelligent?
• methodical and organised?
• perfectionist?
• responsible?
• ethical?

How do I become a Banking Analyst?

You will need at least a degree in banking, finance, accounting or similar qualification. You will need to be interested in all things financial as well as current affairs.

These degrees can be done at SA universities.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Bank Manager … or … Auditor

Is becoming a Banking Analyst the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Personal Banker?

Some people get Personal Banker mixed up with a Financial Planner.

Financial Planner:

• Assists clients with a wide range of financial products from various institutions. They are not tied down by one bank or one company.

Personal Banker:

Represents ONE bank or ONE financial institution. They work directly with that institution’s clients giving them assistance and advice regarding:

• Savings
• Investments
• Bonds (mortgages)
• Assets

A Personal Banker will advise a client on services and products only from the company they work for. Personal Bankers try to create a strong relationship with their clients to build up a feeling of trust. People’s money is very precious and people want to know they are making the right, informed decision.

The company (bank or financial institution) expect their Personal Bankers to sell products and services to clients. Most Personal Bankers are paid a basic salary and commission on what they sell.

What does a Personal Banker do?

• keeps up to date with their company’s products and services
• liaises with clients to inform them on new products and services
• handles financial queries or problems from their clients
• maintains a formal and professional image at all times
• some personal bankers visit clients in their homes
• researches client files to assess financial situations so they can recommend products & services

Are you . . . ?

• sales orientaged?
• ambitious?
• good with people?
• trustworthy and reliable?
• good at mathematics?
• able to handle pressure?
• hard working?
• a good negotiator?

How do I become a Personal Banker?

A Personal Banker will have a qualification in banking or finance. They will also have years of experience working in a bank or financial institution to learn about THAT company’s products and services. Once they have the right training and skill set, they will be promoted into this position.

These degrees can be done at SA universities.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Bank Teller … or … Office Manager

Is becoming a Personal Banker the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 421101

Other names for Bank Teller:

What is a Bank Teller? 

A Bank Teller works in a bank and a Teller usually works in a building society which is like a bank. 

The main job or responsibility of a Teller is to receive and pay out money and process the necessary documentation.   

There’s a lot of room for career advancement if you start as a Teller. A good attitude, dedication and an eagerness to learn, will see you working up the corporate ladder. You could find yourself in sales, investments, consulting or, with some perseverance, you may even find yourself in a managerial role.

What does a Bank Teller do?

• processes deposits and withdrawals
• receives cash and cheques
• prevents fraud
• verifies validity of cheques
• cross-checks the amounts
• processes transactions electronically
• cashes out cheques on verification of signatures and customer balances
• processes credit card payments
• issues foreign exchange and traveller’s cheques
• looks out for counterfeit coins and notes
• makes sure, at the end of the day, everything balances

Are you … ?

• interested in banking?
• trustworthy?
• a person with good communication skills?
• mathematically orientated?
• positive?
• neat and professional?
• methodical and organised?
• patient?
• able to deal with difficult or even rude customers?
• observant?
• willing to learn?

How do I become a Bank Teller?

Although most banking institutions will train you on the job, candidates with banking qualifications will jump ahead of the rest when it comes to finding a job.

In most cases, you will require a Matric/Grade 12 with passes in mathematics and/or accounting.

A few examples:

• MILPARK BUSINESS SCHOOL

Offers the following Level 5 Certificates:

Certificate in Sales (Banking Services)

National Certificate in Banking (Financial Services)

• DAMELIN SCHOOL of BANKING

National Certificate in Banking 

Upon successful completion of the full qualification, the learner will receive a BANKSETA certificate of competence.

• STANDARD BANK BANKING SKILLS ACADEMY

This learnership programme provides unemployed matriculants and graduates in South Africa an opportunity to gain employment experience in the financial services industry.

12 month programme – On successful completion, candidates will obtain a recognised National Certificate in Banking (NQF level 4). 

Minimum requirements:  

http://www.standardbank.com/BankingSkillsAcademy.aspx

PATH 1

• Banking courses

PATH 2

• Learnership – Asset Based Finance Level 4 

PATH 3

• Learnership – Banking: Credit Analysis Level 4

PATH 4

• Learnership – Banking: Credit Risk Analysis Level 4 

PATH 5

• Learnership – Core Banking and Financial Services Level 4 

PATH 6

• Learnership – Essential Skills for Banking Level 4 

PATH 7

• Learnership – FAIS Customer Consultant Curriculum Level 4 

PATH 8

• Learnership – Introduction to Micro Finance Supervision and Management Level 4 

 PATH 9

• Learnership – Retail Foreign Exchange Banking Level 4 

PATH 10

• Learnership – Service Excellence at the Personal and Business Banking Level 4 

PATH 11

• Learnership – Asset Protection in Banking Level 5 

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Bookkeeper … or … Financial Planner

Is becoming a Bank Teller the right career choice for me?