The Role of a Bank Teller

PROCESS

Step One: Have your students read the following basic information about bank tellers.

In banking, a bank teller's function is key. Whenever a deposit is made at a bank, a teller has to determine if the item being deposited is cash (paper currency or coins) or non-cash (checks or money orders). Then the teller has to judge which cash and non-cash demands are legitimate, and when to pay out to the customer. If a bank teller makes the wrong decision, it could result in losses for the bank and maybe even for the teller! Click on the following link to learn more about the nature of a teller's work .

Step Two: Ask questions

• Have your students record questions that they might have about the role of a bank teller.
• Have your students share and compare their questions with a classmate.

Step Three: Handout Activity One. In this activity, the students will read several scenarios involving a bank teller, and then they will answer questions about the scenarios. Click on the following link for the Activity One Answers.

• Have the students read through the handout on their own.
• The teacher then should go over the answers with the students.

Step Four: Follow-up question.

• In light of the examples given in Activity One, explain why the bank teller's job is very important in banking.

Step Five: Handout Activity Two. This activity lists factors that a teller considers when deciding whether or not to accept a check. The students will read the list; they they will write down what kind of knowledge tellers need to do their job. Click on the following link for Activity Two Answers.

• Have the students work on their own or with a partner.
• The teacher then should go over the answers with the students.

Step Six: Follow-up questions.

• How do banks decide whether or not to cash your check?
• What kinds of knowledge do you think a bank teller needs?
• In the past, the checks that were drawn at local banks could be delayed from crediting an account. Why do you think this happened?
• Do you think a bank would delay crediting your account today? Why or why not?

Step Seven: Handout Activity Three. In this activity, the students will read the brief selection about banking laws; then they will answer the included questions. Click on the following link for Activity Three Answers.

• Have the students read through and complete Activity Three.

Step Eight: Follow-up questions

• How has government law affected bank tellers?
• Do you know of any specific laws that have affected bank tellers?
• Do you think these laws are fair or unfair? Why?

Step Nine: The article "Amid Fraud, Role of Bank Teller Changing" deals with the growing responsibilities of bank tellers. Have the students read the article and then answer the following questions.