teller

personal banking representative

customer service representative

senior teller

branch manager

Community Financial System, Inc.

I started as a float teller, I was overqualified for the job but I had recently been laid off and was freaking out and took the first thing that came. I was told at hire that it would take less than 6 months for me to move up considering how overqualified I was, once I started training I was told I couldn’t apply for another position until after being in my current position for 6 months. That was frustrating but at the time the schedule was enough to keep me and once I started I actually enjoyed working and enjoyed the branches I was going to. You start to see which branches you fit in at and which ones you don’t, which branches are welcoming and which ones aren’t. Over that time, I was generally happy, but that was short lived because then COVID happened. As a float, you are only guaranteed 25 hours, I was always getting 35 because how often tellers call in and in my area a lot of women were going on maternity leave and I was reliable so I would be chosen, even for outside of my district, and I would go, because the travel reimbursement really is worth it, much more than any other compensation in the company honestly. But I was only guaranteed the 25 hours which was quite a pay cut. So, when I was offered a permanent position going from a float teller to teller 2 giving me higher limits without overrides, etc, plus guaranteeing me 35 hours, I chose to take it. Even though it was a branch that I just didn’t feel welcomed at and hadn’t been to often. I ended up working at that branch for only a few months. I started to hate going in every single day. I just felt like an outcast, I didn’t fit in, I felt excluded from things, and I felt targeted by the manager. At some of these branches and even other places, managers become buddies with their co workers, and once that happens they no longer feel right correcting them in any meaningful way, so once an outsider comes in they are finally comfortable “managing” them, even though they really don’t know how. When you’re the only one being “managed” and everyone else is “buddies” it just becomes very toxic. Needless to say I am no longer there. The work environment was becoming so toxic in my life, I completely changed career paths. So everything happens for a reason. Overall, it’s really not a bad place to work if you end up in the right branch with the right group of people. But if you end up at the wrong one, everyday becomes a battle and no one wants to live like that. 

It was over all a good company to work for, good training, decent pair (not fair but decent), had the potential to be an amazing place to work if it weren't for the judgmental environment and also how if you ever overextend even once just out of kindness or out of respect for your coworkers it would suddenly become the expected norm but that isn't an abnormal occurrence in other workplaces but was just way more common at community bank. Meaning if you went above and beyond your expected duties (with no extra pay or incentives) just out of respect or curtesy then they'd make it seem like that's something expected of you from then on out. Then as for the judgmental environment I will preface with i could be wrong and was just being sensitive but that truly isn't me. Butt I will also say I wasn't there average employee, meaning I was the youngest (22) and I was the only male teller. So it always just felt like I was getting talked down to and looked at oddly for just being me (I will admit I had some personal issues that effected my job like my car was total in the winter I was working with them and I had just discovered or was newly effected by blood pressure issues) I say that just to not put all the blame on them (not that I think it's okay they asked me to resign basically [which was nice so I wouldn't have to say I was fired but I also couldn't get unemployment] and the managers reasoning was "I just think you have too many personal issues going on in your life for this job" even though I didn't ever call off without proper notice, proper application of PTO, and a solid explanation. In total in the year and a half I was there I only called off or left early 3-4 times (granted they were all within like 1 month so it did seem like a lot that month) but they were all either associated with my car accident or my low blood pressure. So yea idk they just weren't very considerate or understanding and they were pretty judgmental to young men. So some might go as far to say ageist and sexist but I don't think it was that and if it was it wasn't necessarily the company or the job itself it was the certain coworkers and management I had. Overall it was a cool job (as long as you can handle money and the responsibility of dealing with peoples transactions because it is a lot of responsibility) the job experience could've been better if I wasn't going through personal issues but still I don't think that should've led to me having to quit. And it could've been better if I was older and a female lol.

I have been with CBNA for over three years and have grown as an employee and member of the industry greatly. I have a wonderful manager that helps me grow, mentors me, and helps me reach my goals. The job expectations are reasonably outlined and there are many resources available to help you if you have questions. There are colleagues that are more or less approachable/helpful/genuine than others, but that is typical of any workspace. Overall, you'll have many great colleagues that want to help you succeed. I often find myself very busy and there is always tasks that can be done, but I rarely feel too burnt out. I believe it is easy to maintain work/life balance with this company. The culture of this company is very positive and is consistently changing for the better. Being a team player is a must and you must be willing to go the extra mile for your customers, as CBNA prides itself on its exceptional customer service. You must also be able to hold yourself accountable for your actions. You must follow protocols/policies/procedures. If you don't, there will be little protection offered to you if something goes wrong because you disregarded policy. I truly do not feel this is any different from any company, especially a large financial institution. Compared to competitors, I think CBNA is more lax and a less stressful workplace. Every branch will be a little different and have a different environment, but again not uncommon. Overall, I enjoy my job for the most part and would definitely recommend joining the team!  

First off, the pay rate is absurdly low for the amount of responsibility you hold as a banker; between being responsible for all the cash in the vault to the ability to open accounts and process loans for individuals, the work is way above what you are paid for it. I even asked for a raise with great performance reviews and going above and beyond to work in all areas they needed, including but not limited to, CSR/teller support, basic teller, and backup head teller, without complaint, and received 0 gratitude or consideration of increased compensation. A lot of double standards about being allowed to take time off, the way you’re treated, etc., and a lot of multiple managing; there is no one correct way to do things so you have to twist the way you do things to who you’re dealing with that day (I.e. manager, assistant manager, senior teller, etc.) and just about everything they teach you in training is twisted again into the way certain people want things to be done. Some coworkers’ attitudes and inappropriate workplace banter (racism, homophobia, ect.) are unbearable and there’s nothing management will do to correct the issue.

I enjoyed my job, coworkers and helping customers for many of my years here.  Things started to take a change for the worse. Customers started to notice the constantly changing faces in the branch coming and going and would complain to me about the high turnover rate.  Lack of decent pay for tellers and some of the other positions in this small office made it difficult for me to maintain working here due to always being short staffed. I was always being asked/forced to cancel my plans after my scheduled shift had ended and had my vacation time canceled.  If I told them that I couldn’t stay because I already had plans I was written up or constantly being told that I wasn’t being a team player.  I became fed up with the way I was being treated when I voiced my displeasure in the way the office working environment had become.  I was a good employee who came to work everyday on time and did my job very well but I was no longer willing to be under appreciated and punished for other employees not showing up for work. I was told that I was being fired due to a customer complaint.

You have to stand all day on aching feet because it’s professional to do so, and while doing that you’re also expected to remain entirely accurate with your transactions and balances. The coworkers are good until they aren’t and I find myself easily burnt out due to the lack of work life balance the bank puts on its employees. You’re expected to give up your weekends to work at other branches even though you’re already subject to staying late, and with absolutely no incentive toward growth or a raise. Speaking of raises, the pay here is a joke. They don’t pay you for everything that you do here, and bank tellers at this bank make 3% less than the National average, with mediocre benefits to boot. Do not work here unless they promise higher wages, seats for their tellers, and respect for their burnt out workforce. 

Worked here as a customer service rep, and the experience was disappointing to say the least. Advancement doesn’t feel based on performance—it feels based on favoritism. If you’re not in the right circle, don’t expect recognition or growth.
Management communication is inconsistent. There were instances of being told not to come in, only to later have that used against you. That kind of approach creates unnecessary stress and confusion.
Handling of medical concerns was another issue. Even with proper documentation, the process for accommodations felt unnecessarily difficult and drawn out.
What stood out most was how situations were handled after employment ended. Instead of a fair and straightforward process, it felt like every step—especially regarding unemployment—was met with resistance.
For a company that promotes “community,” that mindset doesn’t seem to extend to its employees.

Typical day opening with co workers getting drawer counting and opening drive though. Job is pretty easy to learn. Training is ok. The branch I worked at was very cliquey. They never followed any procedures properly. Nothing was done right unless bank audit was coming in. Very lax in anything private. Manager was always discussing things with the door wide open and always complaining about having  to do anything. . .The co workers and head teller and manager were all cliquey and constantly chatting amongst themselves.  The manager procrastinated all  day. Very hard to work I. A toxic environment. Wish I had the heart to stay and just deal but I had to move to
Another branch.

It has been a secure job the last 16 years but not much room for advancement. Pay is not great. Especially being that I'm there 16 years and have tried to advance. Not compensated for not taking the health care being that I'm on mu husbands plan. Raises are horrible. If your lucky you may get a .25 a year raise.  Cash Hnadling, deposits , cashing  checks, opening accounts, Atm Custodian, Customer Servive Rep. , Vault entries and ordering cash and in charge of tellers. Sales, selling credit cards and other abnking products. Wealth Mangemnet sales. I enjoy the people I wprk with and the customers.  
Hardest part is all the robberies i was there for and not being promoted when I have applied for jobs I am a back up person i have been trained to do.

I have been working for community bank for almost 3 years now and feel like I’ve finally found a career instead of a job. I am always learning something new from my co workers and manager and have many opportunities in my future for advancement. In just over a year I went from a teller to a Senior Teller and then on to opening accounts. I can understand how some may think that the pay is not enough but when you weigh in the paid holidays, weekends off, and the large amount of PTO and benefits you receive, it seems well worth it in my opinion. The job can be stressful at times like any job but I’ve always had a great support system behind me! My co workers have become my best friends.If you’re looking for a career I think this is a great place to work! 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Teller 322 salaries reported	$19.02 per hour
Personal banking representative 164 salaries reported	$21.48 per hour
Customer service representative 48 salaries reported	$21.02 per hour
Senior teller 75 salaries reported	$21.77 per hour
Branch manager 54 salaries reported	$80,040 per year

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