Wells Fargo Personal Banker Interview Questions & Reviews

3.0 Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Reason for Declining

Although a competitive base is offered, you still have the opportunity to earn commission, which is paid out quarterly. The commission structure is not competitive compared to other banks in my opinion. You must meet your quota of each of the 5 - 7 base products in order to be eligible for pay-out. Also, it was indicated that while they have a large lead data base, a large number of them are unviable because the information on file is out dated, in many instances 10+ years old (do you still have the same phone number you had 20 years ago?).
The vast majority of the interview consisted of talking about sales. They look at sales on a daily basis, in other words "what have you done for me today?" attitude. From the demeanor of the interviewers, you can get a pretty distinct feeling that this job is a meat grinder/sweat shop type of environment. A mature sales manager should always desire and encourage their sales staff to have a daily goal, but should have a monthly, bi-annual, or annual outlook on making firm judgments about staff.
All the above issue can be over-come I think with the right attitude, however, there were a few other points that made it clear that I did not want to work in the Wells Fargo retail sales/branch culture.
Firstly, in other interviews of this type of position in other organizations, building relationships, meeting client NEEDS, ethics, AND sales were a part of the interview. The interview with Wells Fargo was about SALES SALES SALES. Also, other banks want you to earn licenses, expand your knowledge base and education, find a career path that fits you; there was no talk of this with Wells Fargo.
Secondly, unless a client leaves your desk with a checking account, debit card, credit card, online banking, online bill pay, and is on his/her way to speak with the mortgage specialists, and the retirement specialists, you failed. There was no talk about whether or not they NEEDED all those "solutions".
Thirdly and the biggest red flag, Wells Fargo uses Gallop to interview random customers after they've interacted with a branch. They ask the customer to rate their experience in various categories on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being "very satisfied". The regional manager said, nearly verbatim, "Well, if you get a 4, in our view you might as well as received a 1." If any of the other points I made were misunderstood, or taken out of context, that simple comment clarified and validated the impression I got from the panel interview. You really need to ask yourself if you want to work in a culture that views a "4" as not, "hey, it's not a 5, we need to always strive to do better, great job on leaving our customers 'satisfied' though" and instead "You didn't get a 5, you fail, we view the 4 as a 1, or 'very dissatisfied'".
Fourthly, and the nail in the coffin in my view, one of the interviewers made the comment that want makes his/her best sales staff as successful as they are, is that they are ALWAYS selling. Even when they are out and about in their normal day, every time they have an interaction with someone (for instance a waiter at the restaurant you’re at) they are always selling Wells Fargo. I'm in sales, I do not have a problem with this when the subject comes up and they ask if I can help them (sell to them) or they offer to give me a referral to someone they know I can help, OR they bring up a problem I think I can solve. However, I am not ok with the view that everyone I meet and every family member and friend is a sale.
If your ok will being treated like, and working in a used car salesmen environment, then this place should work for you. If you have no qualms about leveraging your relationships with friends and family to open accounts and various other products, then it should be a great place for you.
However, if your educated (college degree), would like to get a start in the financial services industry, and work in a place where your treated like a professional by other professionals, run away.

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