Universal Banker

About the Role

Liberty is searching for an adept and client-centric sales consultant to join their branch banking team in Cape Town as a Universal Banker. This opportunity is ideal for a confident banking professional operating at the frontline, capable of engaging diverse clients, accurately assessing their financial needs, and subsequently proposing suitable banking solutions. The successful candidate will be instrumental in fostering sustainable sales growth while consistently delivering exceptional client service, all within the strict confines of financial regulations and compliance frameworks.

This position demands a dynamic approach to client interaction, ranging from direct engagements within the branch to various related banking channels. It is a critical role that links clients to the products and services that best serve their financial well-being, while simultaneously contributing significantly to the branch's overall sales objectives and growth.

As a Universal Banker, your daily contributions will be diverse, encompassing both client advisory and administrative tasks. Key responsibilities include:

• Interacting with clients across all banking channels to understand their requirements, resolve queries, and offer appropriate banking solutions in line with both internal policies and external legislative mandates.
• Proactively identifying sales opportunities through client conversations, promoting relevant banking products and digital platforms, and actively contributing to the achievement of branch sales targets.
• Executing crucial account-related procedures, including the opening, amendment, transfer, and closure of client accounts, strictly adhering to established protocols, risk controls, and regulatory requirements such as KYC, POPIA, and FAIS.
• Analysing client financial behaviour, including account activity, income statements, and expenditure patterns, to formulate informed recommendations and provide tailored solutions.
• Educating clients on banking processes, the functionality of digital platforms, available self-service options, product features, and their rights and obligations as stipulated by the Code of Banking Practice.
• Ensuring meticulous record-keeping, updating necessary management information, adhering to team operational procedures, and actively contributing to a high-performance culture within the branch.

What They're Looking For

Liberty is seeking a candidate who not only possesses the technical aptitude but also embodies a set of compelling behavioural attributes.

**Required Experience and Qualifications:**

• A National Certificate or an equivalent NQF 5 FAIS-aligned qualification in fields such as banking, financial services, commerce, sales, or client service.
• Candidates must unequivocally meet all FAIS Fit and Proper requirements.
• A minimum of three to four years of experience gained in a branch banking, financial services, contact centre sales, or general client-facing sales environment.
• A demonstrable track record in sales, with proven experience in identifying client needs, proposing effective solutions, cross-selling products, and consistently meeting or exceeding sales and growth targets.
• A robust understanding of banking products, proficiency in client servicing, expertise in account opening procedures, and familiarity with application processing and customer acceptance regulations.
• Prior experience operating within a highly regulated environment where stringent adherence to risk management, compliance, KYC, POPIA, and FAIS guidelines is paramount.
• Confidence in engaging clients, coupled with the ability to build rapport swiftly, ask insightful questions, perform effectively under pressure, and deliver practical, client-focused solutions.

**Key Competencies:**

The ideal candidate will exhibit strengths in areas such as meticulous attention to detail, strong persuasive communication skills, an ability to build excellent relationships, a drive for continuous learning and strategic thinking, goal orientation, adaptability to change, and a positive, collaborative spirit within a team setting. Technical competencies should include a clear understanding of application and submission verification processes, banking procedures, client acceptance and review protocols, customer understanding, and comprehensive product knowledge within consumer banking.

This type of role, often found in major South African banks and financial institutions like FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, and Nedbank, typically serves as an entry point into broader financial advisory or management positions. Compensation generally aligns with experience and performance, often including a base salary complemented by sales incentives. It offers a solid foundation for a career in retail banking, with potential growth into specialist banking roles, personal wealth management, or even branch management.

• National Certificate or equivalent NQF 5 FAIS-aligned qualification in a field related to banking, financial services, commerce, sales, client service or a related discipline.
• The candidate must meet FAIS Fit and Proper requirements.

Minimum Experience:

• 3 to 4 years’ experience in a branch banking, financial services, contact centre sales or client-facing sales environment.
• Proven sales track record with experience identifying client needs, promoting solutions, cross-selling and achieving sales or growth targets.
• Strong understanding of banking products, client servicing, account opening, application processing and customer acceptance requirements.
• Experience working in a regulated environment where adherence to risk, compliance, KYC, POPIA and FAIS requirements is critical.
• Confident client engagement capability with the ability to build rapport, ask the right questions, handle pressure and provide practical solutions.