free study material for bankpo clerk SBI IBPS rbi introduction to bank PO

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Introduction to Bank PO
Edition 2015


Information Booket
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Introduction to Bank PO

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INTRODUCTION - INDIAN BANKING INDUSTRY
Banking Sector in India
This article consists the major information about Indian Banking Industry – Jobs & Scope.
Banking Industry in India has always been one of the most preferred choice of employment. In last
10-15 years, this industry has emerged as a sunrise sector in the Indian economy. The Banking

Industry is recruiting in a big way and with a new pattern. In the next five years , banks will have to
recruit almost 10 lakh people.
Now, banks have diversified their activities and getting into new products and services that include
opportunities in credit cards, wealth management, consumer finance, investment banking, mutual
funds, life and general insurance, pension fund regulation, custodian services ,stock broking services,
and private equity etc. Further, most of the leading Indian banks are going global, setting up offices in
foreign countries themselves or through their subsidiaries.
Major Employers in Indian Banking Industry
Public Sector Banks form the major recruiter group for candidates aspiring for bank jobs.
They are:
1. State Bank of India Group (Total:6 Banks) namely State Bank of India, State Banks of Bikaner &
Jaipur, Travancore, , Mysore, Patiala and Hyderabad.
2. Nationalised Banks (Total: 20 Banks) which include
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

18.
19.
20.

Allahabad Bank,
Andhra Bank,
Bank of India,
Bank of Maharashtra,
Bank of Baroda,
Canara Bank,
Corporation Bank,
Central Bank of India,
Dena Bank,
Indian Bank,
Oriental Bank of Commerce,
Indian Overseas Bank,
Punjab & Sind Bank,
Punjab National Bank,
Uco Bank,
United Bank of India,
Syndicate Bank,
Union Bank of India and
Vijaya Bank.
Bharatiya Mahila Bank

3. Other Public Sector Bank (Total: 1 Bank) i.e. IDBI Bank Limited.

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4. Private Sector Banks: These banks conduct their own exams. The major recruiters in private
sector include the ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Federal Bank, Centurion Bank of Punjab,
Indusind Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, ING Vysya Bank, Bank of Rajasthan, Karur Vysya
Bank, Karnataka Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, South Indian Bank, Bharat Overseas Bank, etc.
5. Co-operative Banks: All major National and State Co-operative Banks and Scheduled Urban Cooperative Banks conduct their own exams to recruit Officers.
Career as a Bank Probationary Officer ( Bank-PO )
A Probationary Officer’s post is the entry to the managerial positions in the banking industry. A
Probationary Officer starts as a trainee officer in the Junior Management Grade Service (JMGS) of the
bank and can rise to the highest grades of the bank in his career becoming a General Manager, a
Director or even the Chairman of the Bank.
A Bank Probationary Officer’s position is seen with tremendous respect in the society as it secures a
life long opportunity to grow, prosper and serve the society in a senior and responsible position in the
Banking industry. And, therefore, every Bank P.O. Exam attracts lakhs of talented graduates, postgraduates and professionals to compete for a few hundred or thousand of vacancies notified by the
banks.
Career as a Bank Clerk
A young person joining a bank as a clerk-cum-cashier in the clerical cadre of the bank has the
opportunity to start as early as at the age of 18 years and just after passing standard Xth. A bank clerk
has job security, faces challenging work environment, gets opportunity to strengthen customer
relation skills, using best available technology and working to learn under worthy senior officers. He
is trained on the job. He gets an opportunity through departmental exams of the bank or otherwise to

rise to the higher levels of management in the bank. He gets the opportunity of life-long learning in
Banking, Finance, Management and other areas of his choice through various national level
institutions set up for Bankers’ education. One need not be surprised to find many senior staffs in
most of the branches of various banks as well as at the Regional, Zonal and Head Offices of the banks
who had joined the bank in the clerical level.
Types of Bank Exams :
1. Exam conducted by SBI and SBI Associate Banks for recruitment to the posts of clerks and officers
2.Common Written Examination conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) as a
prerequisite for selection of personnel for Probationary Officer / Management Trainee / Clerical Level
posts in 19 Public Sector Banks
3. Exams conducted by private sector banks for recruitment to the posts of clerks and officers
4. Exams conducted by Co-operative banks for recruitment to the posts of clerks and officers
5. Exams conducted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for various “Grade A”, “Grade B”, & Assistants
posts.

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About Indian Banking Personnel Selection ( IBPS ) – Common Written Examination
There is more good news for lakhs of aspirants seeking a career in banking sector – the time taken by

a bank to complete the recruitment process, which was generally somewhere around 6-8 months , had
come down to 2-3 months with the introduction of the first of its kind "Common Written Examination
(CWE)". The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the CWE. This examination is
the pre-requisite for selection of personnel for the posts of Probationary Officer/Management
Trainee/Clerks in the Public Sector Banks.
The first ever Common Written Examination for the posts of Probationary Officer / Management
Trainee in 19 public sector banks was conducted on 18th September 2011 and the first such
examination for recruitment of clerks in 19 public sector banks was held on 27th November 2011.
Participating Banks: Except for SBI, almost all the major Public Sector Banks are participating in the
CWE.
The Common Written Examination will be conducted approximately 2 times in a year, once for
Probationary Officer/ Management Trainee and once for Clerical Cadre posts.
Validity of the Score card: Score Card issued by IBPS will be valid for one year from the date of
issue of the score card Candidates can appear in subsequent examination/s to enhance their scores.
Eligibility Criteria Bank PO Exams:
1. IBPS PO CWE:
Age: 20 to 30 years;
Education Qualification: A degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any
equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government
2. SBI and SBI Associate Banks:
Age: 21 to 30 years;
Education Qualification: A degree in any discipline from a recognized college/
University
Bank Clerical Exams:
1. IBPS Clerks CWE:
Age: 20 to 28 years;
Education Qualification: A degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any
equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government
2. SBI and SBI Associate Banks:
Age: 21 to 28 years;

Education Qualification: A degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any
equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government

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Pattern For The Banking Entrance Exam :

 

Both P.O. and clerical recruitments comprise at least two stages of exams, viz. a Online Test, and an
interview. The Online Test normally comprises an objective type test and a descriptive test (only for
SBI-PO). The interview is normally a personal interview or sometimes, a combination of group
discussion and personal interview.
Bank PO Exams: The test areas in the objective type test of P.O. exam include tests from amongst
Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English language, Marketing Aptitude and
Computer Knowledge. The Descriptive Writing Test is to check the proficiency of the student in
English Language. It would consist of a test on English Composition comprising letter writing, essay
writing, précis writing etc
Pattern of the IBPS Bank PO CWE :
The Online Test consists of Objective Paper.

Objective Paper:
200 Questions to be answered in 120 Minutes;
Maximum Marks: 200
Negative Marking:
There will be penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Test.
The following table gives the test area break up of the Objective paper.
Descriptive Paper – For SBI PO (Essay, Precis, Letter Writing etc)
Duration - 60 Minutes; Maximum Marks: 50
Bank Clerical Exams:
The test areas in the objective type test of the clerical exam include tests from amongst Reasoning,
Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English language, Marketing Aptitude and Computer
Knowledge. There is no descriptive test in clerical exam.
Pattern of the IBPS Bank Clerical CWE :
The written test consists of Objective Paper only.
Objective Paper: 200 Questions to be answered in 120 Minutes;
Negative Marking: There will be penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Test.

SNO

Name Of the Test

No. Of Questions For No. Of Questions For
IBPS PO Exam
IBPS Clerk Exam

1

Reasoning

50

40

2

English Language

40

40

3

Quantitative Aptitude

50

40

4

General Awareness

40

40

5

Computer Knowledge

20

40

Total

200

200

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JOB DETAILS OF PROBATIONARY OFFICER
What is a Bank PO ( Bank Probationary Officer )
Let me start with the details about this golden career opportunity for all the young and dynamic
graduates in India to work as a Bank Probationary Officer ( Bank PO) for various Public Sector
Banks, State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group Banks. ( For More Info please visit the bank websites
: For eg. and

For Young graduates, an attractive job offer after college is banking profession in banking industry,
especially for various Public Sector Banks. State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group Banks.
It remains the most wanted job position for years and it is because of much respect and prestige in
the society. After the extinction of BSRB the only window to enter into this well sought career is
Probationary Officers (PO) Exams conducted by IBPS & SBI. ( See this : and
for detailed procedure about bank jobs and bank probationary officer / clerical /
specialist officer selections ) These Banks inducts eligible graduates by this exam for training for a
probation period of 2 years. The selected applicants performance during the probation period will
decide their position after training for various Public Sector Banks. State Bank Of India OR “IBPS”
Group Banks.
Here in this article we will read & understand :What is a “Bank PO” ?
Career as a “Bank PO” ?
Jobs & Responsibilities of a “Bank PO” ?
Salary Structure of a “Bank PO” ?
What is a “Bank PO” ?
A Bank Probationary Officer (PO) in a Public Sector Banks, State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group
Banks is the starting level appointment for bank officers to work for the respective bank. The POs
have two years probation period during which they conduct major work profiles such as Credit Rating
,Loans & Advances, Foreign exchange , Management, Treasury, Risk, Marketing, IT, etc.
Some times the vacancies in officers level in various Public Sector Banks, State Bank Of India OR
“IBPS” Group Banks are filled from within the organization after internal exams and promotion of
clerks and mostly by direct recruitment. Since, there are a huge number of vacancies available with
each of the public sector banks at all the branches all over the country, the banks conduct a centralized
examination to select and appoint various applicants for various branches across the country to work
as a probationary officer for banks. The position of a bank PO for which recruitments are made are in
junior management Graduate Scale, which is the entry level position for joining a Public Sector
Bank, State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group Banks as an officer. This entry level position is known
as that of probationary officer or management trainee. Bank probationary officers can come from any
discipline or field of study . However. there is a misconception that only people from commerce or
finance background are eligible. This is not true for selections as an Bank Probationary Officer for

various Public Sector Banks, State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group Banks. Graduates from any
discipline are eligible to appear for the common written test and after successfully passing the
common written test / examination and Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds, one can be
selected and appointed as a Bank Probationary Officer.
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Career as A Bank Probationary Officer ( Bank PO )
There is a well defined career progress OR career path in each public sector bank. Performance during
the working hours and caliber of the candidate are key elements which determine this career progress.
There are numerous example of the senior officers who are currently working at officer level in
todays time for various public sector banks, State Bank of India or “IBPS” Group Banks, once started
their career as clerk or scale I officer only. During last few years these banks have reviewed their
promotion policy and now for bright, hardworking and knowledgeable employees it takes less time to
move to higher scales. In many public sector banks, State Bank of India or “IBPS” Group Banks a
person who joined as an officer may reach to the position of General Manager in just 14 years. After
that one can aspire for the position of executive director or chairman of a public sector banks, State
Bank of India or “IBPS” Group Banks. These are very high positions, nomination to which is decided

by the Government and not by the individual banks.
Many public sector banks, State Bank of India or “IBPS” Group Banks have a network of foreign
branches. Thus joining a public sector banks, State Bank of India or “IBPS” Group Banks gives you
the opportunity of working abroad also. Transferability in a bank job provides you the chance of
seeking different parts of the country.
Jobs & Responsibilities of a Bank Probaitonary Officer( Bank PO )
Probationary Officers are directly recruited officers in the various Public Sector Banks, State Bank Of
India OR “IBPS” Group Banks who are initially recruited on probation (which is normally in all types
of jobs) for 2 years period. It is well known that bank officers usually enjoy good respect and
prestige in Indian society. Bank Clerical or Probationary officer is entry point for officers in the
various Public Sector Banks, State Bank Of India OR “IBPS” Group Banks. Usually Bank POs are
initially given training, which can range from few weeks to one year. After the training, Bank POs
are placed either in a branch or administrative office.
( This article is just informative and indicative. For more details in exact manner kindly visit the bank
official websites : and )
At the branch Bank POs are supposed to look after the branch working which can include passing of
cheques, evaluating loan proposals; marketing of bank products etc
Following a point to point listing of major Job Roles of a Bank Probationary Officer ( Bank PO) :
1. The main areas of Bank PO are: deposits and advances.
2. A Bank PO starts the deposits and learn and manage how to create CIF.
3. Managing various types of accounts such as savings, current, recurring and various type of
term deposits.
4. Learning and using the banking software.
5. BANK PO handles & manages the advances which are generally classified as P-segment.
6. P segment is what consists of retail loans to individuals for various purposes such as housing,
education, car etc etc..
7. Managing and handling SME and C&I.
8. A Bank PO manages how to assess loan applications.
9. A Bank PO manages interviews of loan applicants and the sanction and disbursal procedures.
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10. A Bank PO manages Small and Medium Enterprises and Corporate & Institutional loans for
purposes other than consumption.
11. A Bank PO manages locker management.
12. A Bank PO manages ATM management.
13. A Bank PO manages cash drawer operations.
14. A Bank PO manages cross selling Etc…
Salary Structure of a Bank Probationary Officer (Bank-PO)
Typical Salary Structure of a Bank PO - Entry Level ( Indicative/NOT Actual / Visit Bank
official website for more info : and )
Particulars
Basic
DA
HRA*
CCA
Medical Aid
Entertainment

House Maintenance
Books/Newspapers
Petrol
Canteen Subsidy
Pension
Rent Deduction
Taxable Salary
Less Tax
In Hand Salary
House Lease#
Bank's Pension share
CTC

Monthly
14500
8722
0
540

300
2000
250
-2322
-300
23690
771
22919
8000
2322
452107

Annually
174000
104661
0
6480
5100
4600
3600
2800
24000
3000
-27866
-3600
300375
9251
291124.02
96000
27866
4.5 Lac per Anum

(*HRA is not taken into consideration because of lease accommodation; #House Lease ranges from 4
to 12 percent of basic depending upon rural/semi urban/Area 1/Metros)
The Bank PO's salary or Bank Probationary officer's starting salary in most of public sector banks
and even in some private banks is same. All newly recruited POs are placed in the following scale at
the 1st stage of the same. (However, banks like SBI, ICICI bank and other private sector banks have
some different start for probationary officers ) :Scale I - Rs. 14500 - (600x7) 18700 - (700x2) - 20100 (800x7) - 25700 [Revision has already
become due wef 01/11/2012, but it is likely to take about 2 years to finalize the same i.e. by Dec
2014]
In addition to Basic Pay Probationary officers / PO / Management Trainees are eligible for the

following allowances :(a) Dearness Allowance (DA) : DA in banks is revised on quarterly basis (i.e. in the months of
February, May, August and November) based on the CPI as declared by Government of India.

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The current DA (for the month of February 2014, March 2014 and April 2014 is 99.90% of the Basic
Pay). DA can go up with higher inflation and also come down if the inflation rate is in negative.
(b) HRA : This depends on the place of posting and it can be either 6.5% or 7.5% or 8.5% depending
on the place of posting.
(c) CCA : This also depends on the place of posting and can be either 4% (maximum Rs.540/-) or
3%(Maximum Rs.375/-) or 0%
The above indicates that the total salary of a probationary officer on joining at a metro station will be
around Rs.30,759. However, the total salary of a probationary officer who has to join in rural area
will be about Rs 29,929/- . {This includes HRA}. However, SBI gives four additional increments to
Bank POs and thus gross salary will be higher by about Rs 4500/-.pm
See details below :- ( Indicative Table – Not Actual )
NEWLY APPOINTED BANK PO - INITIAL SALARY / STARTING PAY ON JOINING [as
on 1st April, 2014 ] - PRE REVISED
Monthly Basis ( Indicative )

Major A-Class Cities

Other Cities

Rural Areas

Basic Pay

Rs.14,500.00/-

Rs.14,500.oo/-

Rs.14,500.00/-

Dearness Allowance

Rs.14486.00/-

Rs.14486.00/-

Rs.14486.00/-

Rs.540.00/-

Rs.375.00/-

Rs.0.00/-

Rs.29,526.00/-

Rs.29,361.00/-

Rs.28986.00/-

Rs.1233.00/-

Rs.1088.00/-

Rs.943.00/-

Rs.30,759.00/-

Rs.30,449.00/-

Rs.299,29.00/-

@ 99.90%
CCA (3% TO 4%
Max Rs. 540.00/Total Salary (
Excluding HRA )
HRA –
8.5%/7.5%/6.5%
Total Salary (
Including HRA)

Note : ( This information should not be taken as any official statement. For official information
about the exact salary and allowance structure kindly visit bank official websites :
and )
(a) SBI POs are paid four increments extra at the initial stage and thus their Gross Salary will be
about Rs 4,800 higher

(b) In lieu of HRA, most of the banks allow you to take leased accommodation, the amount of which
varies from bank to bank and also depends on place of posting (The entitlement of such
accommodation ranges from Rs 8000 to Rs 29,000 p.m (approximate).

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(c) Thus, we can say the salary cash component of Bank PO in Public Sector banks is around Rs
31,000 pm whereas in SBI, the initial cash component salary of SBI PO is around Rs35000/-pm
Other Perks & Allowances :
There are number of other perks available to Bank officers and these vary from bank to bank, and
even the amount of such perks vary from bank to bank. SBI gives more perks than all other
nationalized banks. Some of the perks available to Bank officers are :(a) Leased Accommodation : As mentioned above this facility is available to Bank officers in lieu
of HRA. At some stations, some banks may offer official bank accommodation in lieu of leased
accommodation / bank quarters. The lease amount vary from bank to bank and place of postings.
However, you should remember that this amount is not available as cash component and will directly
go to the house owner - those house you have got leased.
(b)Travelling Allowance : Some banks allow fixed Travelling Allowance whereas others allow
reimbursement of petrol bills i.e. officer must own scooter / car at the place of posting
(c) Newspaper Reimbursement : A fixed monthly amount is paid towards the cost of one newspaper

(d) Medical Aid : A fixed annual amount is paid by most of the banks
(e) Coverage under New Pension Scheme

Salary of PO in State Bank of India / PO Salary in SBI :
•
•
•
•
•

In SBI, the starting basic pay is Rs 16,900/- (with 4 increments) in the scale of Rs 14500600/7-18700-700/ 2-20100-800/7-25700 applicable to Junior Management Grade Scale I.
The official will also be eligible for D.A., H.R.A & C.C.A as per rules in force from time to
time.
At present monthly compensation at Mumbai will be approximately Rs 69,000/- inclusive of
lease rental.
The officers are required to make 10% of their basic pay as contribution to Provident Fund
and the Bank also makes matching contribution to the Employees Provident Fund.
The new entrants will be governed by the Defined Contribution Pension Scheme/New
Pension Scheme, where each employee is required to contribute 10% of Basic Pay and D.A.
towards pension scheme and Bank also makes matching contribution.

PERQUISITES for SBI PO :
(1) Leased accommodation ranging from Rs 8,000/- in ‘C’ category Centres to Rs 29,500/- in Mumbai
Centre.
(2) Medical Aid for self (100%) and for family (75%).
(3) Home Travel Concession/ Leave Fare Concession.
(4) Concessional interest rates for Housing/Car/Personal Loans

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NOTE : The applicants should not get confused by the amount of Salary shown by SBI as Rs 70,
000/- pm as it includes the prerequisite of Leased Accommodation to the extent of Rs 29000 in
Mumbai. This is not cash component but a facility to get a house in Mumbai if you are posted there.
Basically, the salary difference between SBI and other PS Banks is that of 4 increments i.e. Starting
Basic Pay will be Rs 16900/- in SBI, whereas in other PS Banks it is Rs.145000/-. (Rs.2400/- more as
basic in SBI). The difference becomes bigger as DA is payable on this basic pay. This also works out
to be about Rs2400/-. Thus, starting salary in SBI is about Rs 4800/- more than other PS Banks.
The above article is a simple informative to understand a banks salary structure for a probationary
officer or clerk. For exact details the candidate can contact directly to the bank through the official
websites : and .

Thanks and all the best (Y)

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