A bank teller cover letter needs to do more than list responsibilities. Hiring managers in retail banking look for candidates who can demonstrate cash handling accuracy, cross-selling ability, and a clear understanding of compliance requirements. This page gives you the structure, practical tips, and a realistic example you can adapt for your next application. See all sales and service cover letters for related roles.
What employers look for in a bank teller cover letter
Branch managers and HR teams screen for a specific combination of operational and interpersonal skills. Address these directly in your letter:
- Cash handling accuracy. Banks need tellers with a consistent record of balanced drawers. Mention your experience with cash counts, vault access, and any personal shortage/overage record.
- Customer service metrics. Reference measurable results such as customer satisfaction scores, survey ratings, or teller line throughput to show you operate efficiently under volume.
- Cross-selling financial products. Retail branches track product referrals. If you have experience recommending checking accounts, savings products, CDs, or loans, include a number or rate where possible.
- Regulatory compliance knowledge. Familiarity with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures, currency transaction reports (CTRs), and suspicious activity reporting signals that you can work within audit-ready standards.
- Teller software proficiency. Name the platforms you have used, such as Jack Henry, Fiserv, FIS Horizon, or similar core banking systems.
- Attention to detail under pressure. Tellers process a high volume of transactions daily. Brief examples that show how you maintain accuracy during peak hours resonate with branch managers.
How to write a bank teller cover letter
Open with a direct statement of fit
Name the exact position and branch or institution in your first sentence. Then connect your background to the role in one or two lines. Avoid generic openers like "I am writing to express my interest." Instead, lead with what you bring: years of cash handling experience, a specific compliance certification, or a track record of zero-shortage quarters.
Quantify your cash and service experience
The body of your letter should include at least one concrete result. Examples that work well for bank teller roles include the number of daily transactions processed, your error rate or shortage record over a defined period, a referral or product recommendation rate, and customer satisfaction scores if your branch tracks them. Even a single number makes your letter more credible than a list of duties.
Address compliance and product knowledge directly
A short sentence acknowledging your BSA/AML training, CTR filing experience, or your ability to identify and escalate suspicious activity shows professional maturity. Banks are heavily regulated and value candidates who treat compliance as a core part of the job, not an afterthought.
Close with a specific call to action
End by thanking the reader and stating clearly that you would welcome an interview to discuss how you can contribute to the branch. Keep this paragraph to two sentences. Avoid vague closings like "I hope to hear from you."
Bank teller cover letter example
Replace the bracketed fields with your actual details. Keep the letter to one page.
Subject: Application for the Bank teller position
Before you send your bank teller cover letter
Run through this checklist before submitting:
- Confirm the branch name, hiring manager name, and position title are spelled correctly throughout the letter.
- Verify that any metric or percentage you include is accurate and something you can explain in an interview.
- Check that you have not copied compliance language you do not actually know. Be ready to discuss BSA/AML basics if asked.
- Make sure the letter is one page and uses a clean, professional font at 10.5 to 12 points.
- Read the letter aloud once to catch awkward phrasing or run-on sentences before finalizing.
For broader formatting guidance, see our cover letter format guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need banking experience to write a strong bank teller cover letter?
Not necessarily. If you are applying without prior banking experience, focus on transferable skills: cash handling from retail, customer service metrics, attention to detail, and any numeracy-intensive work. Review our no experience cover letter guide for a structured approach to this situation.
How long should a bank teller cover letter be?
One page, or roughly 250 to 350 words. Banks receive high application volumes, so hiring managers spend limited time on each letter. Keep paragraphs short and lead with your strongest point within the first three sentences.
Should I mention specific compliance knowledge like BSA or AML?
Yes, if you have it. Referencing BSA/AML training, CTR filing, or SAR procedures shows that you understand the regulatory environment of retail banking. If you are entry-level, note that you are familiar with these requirements and committed to completing required training. See our entry-level cover letter guide for more on framing limited experience.
Can I use this letter if I am switching careers into banking?
Yes. Frame the letter around relevant adjacent skills such as cash handling, customer-facing work, data accuracy, or compliance exposure in another industry. Our career change cover letter guide covers how to position your background when moving into a new field.
What is the most common mistake in bank teller cover letters?
Writing in generalities without numbers. Phrases like "strong customer service skills" or "experienced with cash" do not differentiate you. Replace them with specific figures: your daily transaction volume, your shortage record, your referral rate, or your customer survey score. Even approximate numbers are more persuasive than no numbers at all.
For a complete walkthrough of cover letter structure, see how to write a cover letter.