Banking Experience in 2 PSBs - short version

[Ajay]

Hi guys.

Last year I joined SBI JA and worked there for 8 months & 8 days. I was posted in one of the biggest branches in Jharkhand. The pressure was huge, especially the cross-selling targets. I realised I'm not a sales person and I don't enjoy that.

A few months later I cleared IBPS PO and got into Bank of India. I started in April.

The experience here is okayish, better than SBI. I'm posted in a rural branch and I go on deputation to nearby semi-urban branches. Thanks to my branch head, there aren't many cross-selling targets right now. I mainly handle deposits and general banking work.

If you want to survive and lead a moderately happy life in banking, you have to give up big professional ambitions. You need to be comfortable with mediocrity and avoid promotions. Stay at scale 1 - that's what I plan to do. I have about 37 years left till retirement, and I'll stay in scale 1 forever.

You may hear suggestions to study for Insurance, Regulatory exams, SSC CGL, State PCS etc. But once the money starts coming in, studying becomes tough, and I don't think I'll manage it either.

I'll try to clear JAIIB and CAIIB for three extra increments; after the 13th BPT my salary should cross 1 lac, which is enough for a good life for someone from a lower-middle-class family.

The biggest advantage of not taking promotions is that I won't be transferred out of my state for the next 15-20 years, and I'll stay in rural or semi-urban branches where the pressure is lower and life is a bit easier. I love village life and I've lived in a village all my life.

These are just my personal views.

Happy studying to all of you preparing. All the best!

[Harshit]

Positive comments like this are rare in this sub. Thanks for sharing.

[Sakshi]

Which had more work pressure?
SBI JA or IBPS PO?

[Deepak]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I guess we each have to pick our own poison.

[Akhil]

Thanks for the genuine advice.

Here, otherwise everyone just keeps complaining all the time - all rant and no advice.

[Ritu]

Good - refreshing.

[Douglas]

Sometimes I feel the same way too.

[Vandana]

The line 'That paisa aane ke baad padhai nahi ho paegi' really hits home.

[Aftab]

I've heard that if a clerk never takes a promotion, they never have to worry about being transferred to another state for the rest of their career. But you mentioned 15-20 years, so I'm a bit confused.

[Kunal]

Badhiya bhai... at least you have that clarity.

[Mohaideen]

Surprisingly my experience is the complete opposite. I cleared IBPS PO and spent four years in my previous bank. The work culture was chaotic with no clear SOPs. The last six months were brutal, to the point I'm glad we don't have a gun culture like in the US, otherwise things would have been worse.

I switched to SBI two years ago and now head a branch in a hill station. So far the experience has been positive. People are really nice and supportive, whether they're RBO or AO.