In banking sector, Bank Probationary Officer(PO) is an entry-level position. The Bank PO job profile includes various responsibilities such as Cash handling,Customer service, Loan processing, Account opening, Marketing, Risk management and Compliance.
The Probationary officers in banking sector are responsible for cash handling, providing customer service to prominent customers of bank,Loan Processing, Account opening, as well as marketing of products and services of bank.
This blog explores everything you need to know about a Bank probationary officer such as role and responsibilities of PO, eligibility criteria for bank PO, Salary of Bank PO, Career scope of bank PO, Bank PO recruitment, full form of Bank PO, preparation for bank PO and top institutes for coaching of Bank PO.
Eligibility Criteria to Get a Job as a Po in Bank
The eligibility criteria to get a job ad a Bank PO is as follows:
Nationality
The Nationality of eligible candidate must be Indian.
Age limit
The Age limit for Bank PO is minimum 20 years and the maximum 30 years as of the application closing date. The age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as follows:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PWD: 10 years
- Ex-servicemen: 5 years
- 1984 Riot Victims: 5 years
Educational qualification
The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any field from any recognized university or equivalent.
Proficiency of Computer
The candidate must have proficiency in basic of computer.
Language proficiency
The candidate must be proficient in English language.
Aside from the above mentioned eligibility criteria, the candidate must also fulfill the following requirements:
The eligible candidate should not have any criminal record.
The candidate should be physically and mentally fit.
Bank PO exam syllabus and Exam Pattern
Bank PO exam syllabus and exam pattern is as follows:
Preliminary Exam(Prelim Exam)
- Subjects: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language
- Total No.of Questions: 100
Marks: 100 - Total Time duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Negative marking: 0.25 marks Negative marking for each incorrect answer.
Mains Exam
- Subjects:
- Reasoning & Computers
- General English
- General and Banking Awareness
- Banking Awareness
- Data Analysis & Data Interpretation
- Total No. of Questions: 200
- Total Marks: 200
- Total Time Duration: 2 hours 30 mins.
- Negative marking: A negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
Descriptive Test
- Subject: English
- Total marks: 50
- Total Time Duration: 30 minutes
Syllabus for Bank PO exam
Here is a detailed information of syllabus for each subject:
Reasoning Ability
- Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Numerical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Time and Work
- Profit and Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Mixtures and Alligations
Data Interpretation
English Language
- Comprehension
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Idioms and Phrases
- Error Correction
- Sentence Completion
General/Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- Economics
- General Knowledge
Bank PO exam pattern
The Bank PO exam pattern is as follow:
- The preliminary exam is a computer-based test (CBT).
- The mains exam is also a computer-based test (CBT).
- The descriptive test is a pen-and-paper based test.
Tips to Prepare for Bank PO exam
Here are some tips that you can follow to prepare well for your exam:
- Make a proper study plan
- Read Newspaper Regularly
- Take regular mock tests
- Analyze your week area and work on it
- Solve previous year’s question papers
- Enroll with a good coaching institute.
- Keep practicing and Revise at least for 10 times before appearing for exam.
Bank PO Entrance Exam
The Bank PO entrance exam is conducted by different bank in India.
Here is a detailed information of the most common types of bank PO exams:
- IBPS PO
- SBI PO
- Axis Bank PO
- RRB Bank PO
- HDFC Bank PO
Role of a Bank PO
Probationary Officer (PO) in banking sector is an entry-level position. Their role and responsiblities include a wide range of task such as:
- Customer Service
- Loan Processing
- Account Opening
- Product and Services Marketing
- Cash Management
- Risk Management
- Compliance etc.
The Job of Bank Probationary Officer(PO) is challenging but rewarding
Here is a list of responsibilities of a Bank Probationary Officer(PO):
Customer service : The primary role of Bank PO is customer service. They communicate with bank customers and provide them information regarding the services and products of bank, products and services, accounts related information such as opening and closing of account and transactions.
Loan processing : Probationary officer in bank reviews loan applications, complete documentation process, and discuss with the loan committee regarding the approval of loan.
Cash management : Bank PO manages the daily cash flow of the bank and ensure that there is enough cash available on hand to fulfill the demand of customers.
Risk management : Probationary officers(PO) in bank identify the risks to the financial health of the bank and make the best possible strategies to reduce the risks and make the finance of bank healthy and risk free.
Compliance : One of the important roles of PO is to make sure that the bank complies with all laws and regulations.
Administration : Apart from the above mentioned tasks, PO of bank perform a wide range of administrative works such as report preparation, managing files, and scheduling appointments. They also perform the training of other employees, bank audit, marketing of products and services.
Banks That Conduct the Bank Po Exam
Every year, both government and private banks conduct Bank PO exams to recruit new officers. The following major banks participate in this process:
- Allahabad Bank
- Bandhan Bank
- Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Cooperation Bank
- Cooperative Bank
- CSB Bank
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- IDBI Bank
- Indian Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Oriental Bank of Commerce
- Punjab National bank
- State Bank of India
- Syndicate Bank
- Yes Bank
Full Form of Bank PO
The full form of Bank PO is Bank Probationary Officer. It is an entry-level managerial position in the banking sector in India and Its holds the designation of Assistant Manager in any Public Sector Bank.
Bank PO Salary
The salary of a Bank PO varies from bank to bank, but it’s generally around INR 36,000 and the in-hand salary is Rs. 57,289. The Bank POs also get other benefits, such as leave travel allowance, medical allowance, and pension.
How to Apply Bank PO exam
- Go to the official website of IBPS : https://www.ibps.in/
- Click on Recruitment.
- Check out the notification of the Bank PO exam.
- Click on the application form.
- Fill out the application form carefully. Make sure to fill out the required information.
- Upload your all scanned photographs, signatures and Documents.
- Process to Pay.
- Submit the application form.
How to Get a Job as PO in Bank?
Here are some tips to help you on how to get a job in bank as a bank PO in India:
Fulfill the Eligibility Criteria:
The very first step to get job as bank PO is meeting the eligibility criteria. The eligiblity criteria for the Bank PO exam usually same in every bank, It typically include the following:
- Citizenship of India.
- Bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university.
- Age limit of 20 years to 30 years
Age relaxations is applicable for candidates from reserved categories.
Prepare for the exam
The Bank PO exam is one of the toughest and highly competitive. Usually the cut off score goes high. So, it is important to prepare well with the help of coaching classes, study materials, mock test and reading newspaper.
Apply for the exam
On regular basis, check the bank website for application form and to get the information regarding how to apply for the exam and apply for the exam before the last date of application
Clear the exam
To get job in Bank as Bank PO, crack both preliminary and mains exam by answering the questions on general knowledge, quantitative aptitude, and reasoning, banking concepts and English language skills.
Clear the interview
Once you crack both preliminary and mains exam, you will be eligible for final interview to get selected as bank PO.
During interview round, your personality and communication skills will be tested.
Here are some additional tips to get a job in banking sector as a Bank Probationary Officer (PO) :
Start your preparation early: The exam of Bank PO is comparatively tough, so it requires early and thoroughly
preparation. By starting early, you will get enough time to revise the concepts and take mock tests.
Take a coaching class: By taking coaching class, you can get guidance of expert and can get help to solve the questions. Coaching centres provide proper study material and conduct practice test and mock tests to improve the performance and increase the chance of getting selected.
Keep in contact with people in the banking industry: Being in touch with the people from banking sector helps you in learning more about the banking sector.
Stay positive and motivated: Because Bank PO exam is a very tough competitive exam, so its important to stay positive and never give up attitude to be successful and crack the exam easily.
Conclusion:
If you want to be Probationary Officer and planning take a bank PO exam, then start your preparation and join the best coaching classes to get clarity of each and every topic. Always use the right study material, practice regularly and revise at least for 10 times before appearing for exam.
Don’t forget proper planning, hard work and dedication is the key to crack any competitive exam even toughest bank PO exam.