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Universal Banker

Midland States Bank · Smithton, IL · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you turned around an unhappy customer.

What they are checking: Whether they can listen, solve the problem and keep the relationship.

How do you learn a lot of new products quickly?

What they are checking: Whether they can absorb training, since the trainee stage depends on product knowledge.

Tell me about a goal you had to reach at work or school. How did you track it?

What they are checking: Whether they are comfortable with goals and incentives, which are part of this role.

What does excellent customer service look like in a bank branch?

What they are checking: Whether they understand service as accuracy, trust and follow-through, not just friendliness.

What would you do

A customer comes in to cash a check and mentions they're saving for a house. How would you handle that conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they can spot a real need and offer a referral naturally, without a pushy sales pitch.

Your cash drawer is off by $20 at the end of the day. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow procedure, report it honestly and look for the cause.

A customer wants to withdraw a large amount of cash and seems nervous, with someone waiting in the car. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can recognize possible elder abuse or fraud and act carefully.

How do you handle switching between teller transactions and sitting down to open accounts?

What they are checking: Whether they can move between tasks smoothly, which is the core of a universal banker.

What would you do if a customer asked you to skip an ID check because they come in all the time?

What they are checking: Whether they follow security procedures politely even with regular customers.

About the work

How do you decide which products fit a customer's needs?

What they are checking: Whether they ask good questions first instead of recommending whatever has a goal attached.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Midland States Bank from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Midland States Bank.

At Midland States Bank, base salary is one component of our Total Rewards program. Exact compensation is determined by factors such as (but not limited to) education, skills, internal equity, and experience. This position offers additional compensation in the form of short-term incentives (i.e. bonus and/or commission) and may include long-term incentives (i.e. stock awards). Benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare, well-being benefits, paid family leave as well as generous paid time off. Total Rewards also include banking perks, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K plan with company match and may include the opportunity to participate in our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan. Incentives and benefits are subject to eligibility requirements. Universal Banker Pay Range: 18.50-22.00/hr Position Summary The Universal Banker Trainee position is responsible for delivering excellent customer experiences to current and potential customers. Employees in this position will display effective communication skills and exhibit a good knowledge of the products and services offered. Also responsible for offering referral opportunities that will result in outcomes that define excellent customer service. An employee will remain in a trainee position until they have proven their ability to effectively place customers in the correct mix of product and services through needs based questioning. They must be able to regularly meet and/or exceed performance and production goals established by the Banking Center Manager. Primary Accountabilities • Institutional knowledge of banking. • Receive cash and checks for deposit, verifying amounts, looking at endorsements and reviewing checks for possible fraud including holds. • Examines cash carefully to guard against counterfeit bills. • Cashes checks for customers in accordance with bank policy. Enters transactions into computer system and issues receipts. • Provides accurate customer service to include balancing cash drawer throughout the day to reduce and eliminate teller differences. • Understanding basic knowledge of deposit and lending products & services. • Able to identify correct product types through needs-based questioning allowing them to build and deepen customer relationships to include determining needs and referring business partners. • Assists with basic deposit account openings and maintenance requests with monitoring and coaching provided by a senior level employee. • Develop sales and product knowledge allowing them to achieve personal and team goals as set. Track and monitor those sales and opportunities in the customer information software. • Participate in onsite visits to customers to promote the Employee Perks at Work Program & Merchant Services. • Proactively participates in outbound teleconsulting to promote and expand current client relationships. • Actively participate in weekly huddles and one on one coaching sessions. • Serves as relief and /or backup teller in other locations of Midland States Bank. • Timely completion of all assigned learning activities. • Demonstrates and models Midland States Bank core values that support the bank’s culture. • Participate in bank sponsored community activities and initiatives. • The role requires occasional travel for training and team meetings, and willingness to travel periodically, to locations within market as needed. • May require work in a Midland office to ensure collaboration and support of internal and external customers. • Maintain compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). • Other duties as assigned. Position Qualifications Education/Experience: • Sales and customer service background. Ability to: • Stand for extended periods of time. • Ability to lift and transport coin and currency bags as required (bags may weigh between 25lbs and 50lbs). Other Desired Qualifications: • Multilingual speakers are encouraged to apply. Competencies: • Business insight • Cultivates innovation • Drives results • Makes sound decisions • Being a brand champion • Collaborates • Communicates effectively • Customer focus • Being Authentic • Emotional Intelligence • Self development • Being flexible and adaptable At Midland States Bank, we believe that when we can bring our whole selves to work each day, we become happier, more comfortable, more confident and more excited to do great things for our customers, each other and our company. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. At Midland, we recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. If you are looking for a place to grow, we encourage you to apply at Midland States Bank, because you belong here. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Midland States Bank Human Resources at HR@midlandsb.com . Midland States Bank may use automated tools and artificial intelligence (“AI”) to assist with recruiting, screening, and hiring decisions. In accordance with the Illinois Human Rights Act (effective January 1, 2026), these tools are designed and monitored to be neutral and job-related, and must not be used in a way that discriminates against applicants or employees based on any protected characteristic. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT

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