Become A Successful Banker With Online Banking Degrees
Banking is an industry that has stood the test of time and even recessions. No matter what the circumstance, banking as an industry prevails and continues to grow in relevance. It is a very lucrative field for professionals who have the necessary skills and sharpness required for success. A number of online programs are on offer that can be beneficial to prospective employees in the banking field. If you are …
Banking is an industry that has stood the test of time and even recessions. No matter what the circumstance, banking as an industry prevails and continues to grow in relevance. It is a very lucrative field for professionals who have the necessary skills and sharpness required for success.
A number of online programs are on offer that can be beneficial to prospective employees in the banking field. If you are already working as a banker and are looking to study money markets, lending, global economics and finance, accounting rule changes and more in a field where the environment and regulations are always changing, then an online degree can serve just that purpose.
The online option will give you flexibility to effectively juggle other responsibilities and will be lighter on the pocket. It will also allow you to keep working and earning a living.
Options for Students and Banking Professionals
The first option is that of short, self-paced banking courses that take a few hours to complete. These are highly specialized courses aimed at specific topics such as Financial Planning, Consumer, Agricultural and Mortgage Lending, Accounting, Financial Analysis, etc. These can be great if you are preparing for various certification exams.
The second option is a Certificate in Banking. Coursework will include Accounting, Economics, Commercial and Consumer Lending, The Selling of Bank Products and Services, Management and International Banking, to name a few.
Online Undergraduate Degree Programs in Banking
If you want to get a taste of what the profession entails, you can take an associate degree that is usually two years long. But if you want to be able to apply for better jobs, then an undergraduate four year degree is usually a prerequisite. Course subjects include Banking Fundamentals, Consumer and Mortgage Lending, Banking Laws and Regulations, Marketing Bank Financial Services and Banker Career Development. Candidates for these programs are usually expected to have completed basic coursework in accounting, economics, calculus and statistics.
Online Master’s Degree Programs in Banking and Financial Services
Banking and financial services distance learning programs at the graduate level typically include study in Corporate Finance, International Economics and Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Investments and Portfolio Management, Mergers and Acquisitions. At the master’s level there is a strong focus on finance, and more specialization is expected at this level. For senior level jobs, a Graduate Degree in Banking with a few years of relevant work experience is critical.
Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 64% of banking industry jobs go to bank tellers, who made median of $11.35 per hour in 2008. Those with this degree may also hold positions as loan officers, who earned the median hourly wage of $25.72 in 2008.
The overall growth rate in the industry is 8 percent. It is important to note that the prospective job outlook is high for administrative or management positions within the banking industry, and if you can reach the executive levels, the rewards are very generous.
