Entry-Level Bank Examiners

Job Summary

Entry-Level Bank Examiners, or Assistant National Bank Examiners, spend approximately 15 percent to 95 percent of their early careers traveling to national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) across the country. They may work in one of OCC’s field offices located throughout the U.S., at banks, or at bank branches.

Assistant National Bank Examiners begin their OCC careers in the Midsize and Community Bank Supervision line of business.  Assignments cover all areas of banking, including loans, interest rate risk, capital, liquidity, consumer protection programs, and compliance with banking laws and regulations.

Assistant National Bank Examiners

• organize and analyze selected data; 
• complete bank supervision procedures; 
• check compliance with laws and regulations; 
• gather information through discussions with other OCC employees; 
• discuss findings with other examiners and bank management; 
• draw conclusions and recommend corrective action; and
• perform off-site analyses, write memorandums and reports, and update or write examination comments under close supervision.

To apply for a position as an Assistant National Bank Examiner, you must be a citizen of the United States. You need at least one of the following:

• A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in accounting, banking, business administration, commercial or banking law, economics, finance, marketing, or other field closely related to the position; 
• Three years of work experience that has provided you with knowledge of accounting or auditing principles, such as reviewing, analyzing, recommending or approving loan applications, investments, or other actions involving the properties or monies of others held in trust by or for a financial institution, or internal accounting or auditing work for a financial institution that has required understanding of debits and credits, balance sheets, and operating statements; 
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience; or 
• A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate obtained through written examination in a state, territory, or the District of Columbia.

You must pass two written tests and two interviews. You will be directed by e-mail to schedule a test appointment.

The first test, the Knowledge Test, assesses your knowledge of basic finance and accounting principles. If you receive a passing score, you will take the Written Communication Skills Test (WCST) to assess your skills in organizing information and preparing written documentation. 

If your combined score on the Knowledge Test and Written Communication Skills Test meets the qualifying standards set by the OCC, you will be scheduled for a structured phone screening interview.

If you meet the qualifying standards set by the OCC for the screening interview, you will be invited to attend a Career Exploration Day for a final interview, a tour of the office, and lunch with OCC leadership.

If you are an experienced banking professional, you may also visit our Experienced Bank Examiner Careers to see other opportunities the OCC may have.

Salary and Benefits

The OCC offers competitive salaries according to a performance-based pay plan. The starting salary for an entry-level examiner is a non-negotiable $48,500 per year, plus an additional supplement in certain high-cost locations.

The OCC also offers one of the best benefits programs in the federal government.

How to Apply

The OCC conducts fall and spring recruitment campaigns every year for entry-level bank examiners. We accept applications during set dates in September (for fall) and February (for spring) only. Details on what to submit, when, and where to send your details are released prior to each recruiting season.

See also the conditions of employment.

Examiner Jobs in Midsize/Community Bank Supervision

As an Entry-Level Bank Examiner, you will begin your career in Midsize and Community Bank Supervision. This experience provides the foundation for learning the practical aspects of bank supervision. Examiners experience unparalleled exposure to the financial services industry and are respected advisors to the industry they regulate. Examiners interact with all levels of bank management and complete a wide range of analytical and bank supervisory activities at bank and OCC offices. They use a risk-based examination approach to assess a bank’s condition and identify potential problems.  Through a program of continuing education and career development, OCC examiners expand their knowledge and skills. They apply their technical expertise and interpersonal skills in an industry with increasingly sophisticated products and services.

You will work mainly in cities that are home to community banks and will likely be based in one of the OCC’s field offices across the country.

Community Bank Supervision focuses on banks that typically conduct traditional banking activities. While some of these banks range from $1 billion to $8 billion in assets, most have less than $1 billion in assets.

Midsize Bank Supervision generally includes banks with assets between $8 billion and $60 billion. Although midsize banks are located throughout the country, oversight is centralized under a single OCC Deputy Comptroller in Chicago to facilitate consistent supervision.

Travel

This position requires extensive and frequent travel from Monday through Friday.  Weekend travel is rare.

• While travelling, you will work with a team, typically three to 10 other examiners. 
• For the most part, you will travel independently to a bank for an examination. 
• The type and frequency of travel vary depending on the location of your assigned field office.  Some offices require more travel to rural areas, while others require more travel to metropolitan areas. 
• Click here to see an estimated overnight travel percentages by field office location.
• You may have long commutes; the main method of transportation from most OCC offices is by privately-owned vehicles.
• The OCC offers various transportation benefits, including mileage reimbursement, public transit subsidies (if you are traveling to a bank), and full coverage of air and train fees. 
• When you travel more than 50 miles from your residence, you are generally eligible for lodging (hotel, motel, or bed & breakfast) expenses. 
• While traveling, you are compensated with a pre-established per diem to cover daily meals and incidental expenses. 
• The OCC’s flexible work schedules and holiday schedule reduce the number of days you are in travel status.

Career Advancement

Careers at the OCC offer opportunity for advancement. Assistant National Bank Examiners spend six to eight months on a training team participating in bank examinations, meeting with bank managers, and making recommendations and suggestions.

Several years of formal training lead to the Uniform Commissioned Examination (UCE). Successful completion of the UCE means a commission as a National Bank Examiner and opportunities to manage an entire bank examination as an Examiner-in-Charge. Some examiners go into specialized areas, such as asset management, bank information technology, international banking, capital markets, compliance, credit, and retail credit.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The OCC is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants. All employment decisions are made without regard to non-merit factors, such as race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, protected genetic information, sexual orientation, parental status, marital status, or political affiliation. The OCC provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Back to top