Bank of America Reviews in Portland, OR Area

Pros

There are some great people that work at BofA. The corporate vision is clearly stated and there is very little ambiguity as to each employee fits into their role. They have a very strong benefits package and the starting wage is decent. BofA also like to promote from within and spend a lot of time developing associates, so someone with a desire to pursue a career in banking and a clear idea what they want can advance very quickly through the hierarchy.

Cons

This is a massive corporation and it can often feel that way. There is a lot of talk of "360* coaching," but it is clear that the directions come from the top and flow downward. The business focus regularly cycles back and forth from being focused on customer service to serving the bottom line. The working environment can vary greatly from branch to branch and can depend upon who is in charge.

Advice to Senior Management

Take the idea of "360* coaching" to heart and listen to everyone, from tellers to vault techs, and not just the market execs and spreadsheets.

Pros

pay, large corporation , co-workers are nice and training is great

Cons

take a number as you are a number there and if your number is high forget about getting any time off. to many chiefs telling one person what to do, long hours..... treat you badly and no sense for family

Advice to Senior Management

get rid of all the managers.......hire experienced managers not putting employees with longevity into positions that they know nothing about

Pros

Good benefits and lots of different directions to move

Cons

Easily lost in the shuffle and pays less than other typical jobs

Pros

The benefits are definitely above par, and also it is nice to get those bank holidays that no-one else does :). If you have a good team and good management it makes going to work a lot easier. There is definitely room for professional growth and movement within your division if you are a top performer.

Cons

I work in consumer banking - so I'm at a branch that is open to the public. I really wish the hours weren't so long. Sometimes I am literally at work for 10 or 11 hours straight - and I feel like I've gotten little or nothing accomplished .

Advice to Senior Management

It would be great to have some more transparity around lateral promotions and movement within the company so associates can have a true understanding of what options they have for career paths, not just within their division.

Pros

Customer base since they merged with country wide mortgage. Lot's of opportunities for outside mortgage reps and inside the branch system.

Cons

Too big and impersonal. The top management seems to be OK, However the regional management team is where the breakdown is across all levels.

Advice to Senior Management

You need to look at the annual employee reviews and if you see a pattern developing with the regional staff.. do something about it.

Pros

It's just like High School, with all the friends and the drama. If your good the customers will praise you.

Cons

This job seemed to just drag on, everyday seemed just like the last with the same drama in the office and the same deposits by the customers. It's amazing how much praise you can get from the customers, but the managers don't care.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay attention to your employees and show it. Chances are we are having just as bad of a day as you are, because remember we are the ones having to calm down the angry clients first.

Pros

Great benefits package, fairly stable company considering the current economic condition. They do have flexible hours and telecommuting for some positions.

Cons

With the current economy, outside people view Bank of America more negatively than they deserve. I often get some flack from outsiders.

Advice to Senior Management

Just don't get TOO big and lose touch with the little people.

Pros

respected profession, service is paramount. unethical behavior is not tolerated. Great benefits.

Cons

long hours to be successful

Advice to Senior Management

Suger coating changes that will negatively impact our clients is patronizing. Make PBs salaried.

Pros

They are very good at coaching, both constructive and positive, for growth.

Cons

I don' t make as much as my friends who work at other banks.
The quarterly goals are going up every quarter, and i feel we are getting to a point where no banking centers can make payout.
They are strict about no overtime, but it is VERY difficult to balance the job responsibilties, and get out on time, especially when i have no say in the hiring process and they hire people that can't balance their drawer

Advice to Senior Management

I would say, that sometimes the cme's aren't there everyday, they don't see what it's really like so a lot of time their advise is pointless.
Many of the banking center's I have worked at are very small, no parking for customers (or associates), little to no lobby space. It is difficult to have to appologize to every customer.

Pros

Great benefits, including a pension plan.

Cons

Too many people in management and not enough people that have authority to make decisions without having to get approval from someone else who in turn has to get approval from someone else.

Advice to Senior Management

Talk to the people who are doing the grunt work to get better ideas on how to improve the process.