Bank of America Reviews in Chicago, IL Area

Pros

Bank of America has good hourly pay. The bankers do receive a lot of recognition. The benefits are fantastic. Tuition reimbursement is up to 5000 per year for all employees

Cons

Very inconsistent with days off. The scripting is very robotic and redundant. Additionally top performers do no get good bonuses.

Advice to Senior Management

Spending 5 million dollars on building relationships with customers was a bad idea. The trainers that were placed in our banking center were not helpful at all. Logically how can you have a 7 page observation tool for a 10 minute conversation. It is ridiculous.

Pros

They train their employees well

Cons

Don't respect employees
favoritism
They don't work around school schedules.

Pros

Benefits
Pay is decent
Qualified management
Good to see SOME friendly regular customers
Advancement opportunities

Cons

I really don't like that they don't have more full time opportunities for recent college grads. There is definitely lots of micro-management going on at b of a. You are stuck in this position for a year before any type of advancement can take place. At the interview they make it seem like you wont do any selling but you will...although they are just referrals it can be a headache presenting the credit cards that customers clearly don't want. Like any customer service jobs there are going to be some really difficult customers that make you want to tell them about themselves (but you will also get some who make the job worthwhile). I was told that technically supervisors are supposed to observe us everyday which is insane to me. Micro-management at it finest. Finally part time hours are stretched over 5 days which can be annoying

Advice to Senior Management

Don't advance a teller based on being there a year but base it on performance. More full time positions. Less micromanagement.

Pros

good to start if anyone is interested in job in financial area

Cons

working hour and workload is kind of overwhelming. need to learn to manage that well

Pros

Managers are receptive and realistic. People working there generally enjoyed their work and the people around them. The reputation of the Chicago office is much more relaxed than Charlotte, people could wear jeans, etc.

Cons

The only downside is the reputation of the company given the whole Occupy movement. It's a bit unfortunate because there are many people so far removed from the actual problem that get lumped in with it. I'm personally looking outside of finance, I just feel there are more beneficial uses of my time and hard work.

Advice to Senior Management

Tech and ops are being overrun with increasing government regulations and they're still cutting heads. It looks like dark days ahead.

Pros

Maternity leave is three months long.

Cons

Horrible management. Morale is at an all time low. Used to be a great place. Everyone is looking to get out.

Advice to Senior Management

When you take over a company that has failed - Merrill - you probably shouldn't promote their people with their processes.

Pros

The bank has good benefits, its an established company and good opportunities if you know the right people. Overall, its who you know

Cons

I think the bank disregards it employees in relation to their overall objectives, the bank has definitely "earned" its bad reputation.

Advice to Senior Management

The bank needs to hire more managers who know exactly how to manage people, and managers who have backbones! The managers I've encountered are not exactly the best managers around.

Pros

Benefits are amazing compared to other banks. You will have opportunity for advancement if you work and give it time.

Cons

Poor consistency among management. Company changes tremendously and varies from branch to branch. If management likes you you will succeed and if not then you probably won't.

Advice to Senior Management

Care more about all of your employees instead of choosing favorites. Also be more consistent across the board from center to center.

Pros

This is one of the top five bank

Cons

Being huge you get lost

Advice to Senior Management

Sometime they need to listen to the employee and not only manager.

Pros

Size of organization
Reputation when compared to other multi-national banks
Benefits package is ok compared to other competitors.
Nice co-workers

Cons

hard to stand out with such large company

Advice to Senior Management

Pay your workers what they're worth