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According to a 2013 study by professional staffing firm, Robert Half, 90 percent of financial services executives report difficulties in recruiting good talent. Being "good with numbers" may make for a good banker, but there are some key attributes that distinguish good bankers from those that are great.

Trust and integrity

According to the survey, trust is the number one trait that banks are looking for in new hires. The trust issue is double-pronged. Firstly, banking employees have access to millions, if not billions, of dollars in accounts and need to be trustworthy for the sake of the bank's reputation. Secondly, a bank's future rests on the ability to earn people's trust.

People's finances are a very personal subject. Bankers need to be approachable so people feel they can be honest about their finances. They also need to make people feel their information will be kept confidential.

It can be difficult to balance the needs of the client and the sales expectations of the bank. However a great banker always values honesty over results by putting the needs of the client before sales targets. If a banker steers their clients away from a decision that they do not believe best suits their needs, this will also help build a trusting relationship.

Being perceptive

A great banker listens to all of the information from their clients so they can make the right recommendations. Even a small misunderstanding can have a big impact on the customer and lose them a lot of money. While fluency in other languages is valued, an ability to interpret body language and identify nuances in different cultures is highly advantageous.

Attention to detail

Being a great banker goes beyond having good spreadsheet skills and be analytically fluent. Accuracy is imperative in the banking world. Bankers need to understand the fine print of contracts. They need to understand and clearly explain risks to clients so they can make decisions that reduce the bank's vulnerability.

Knowing the products

Customers rely on their banker to ensure their money is in the right type of accounts for their needs. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the accounts, credit cards and other products the bank offers and to know what customer profile best fits each one. Being prepared ahead of time will save both parties a lot of time and will portray a more confident banker. Mindlessly pushing products that are not a good fit with clients' needs will backfire in the long run.

Staying current

A great banker not only knows their own bank they also know the industry and keep up to date with the financial world. Bankers need to know market trends and the political and macroeconomic environment so that the recommendations they make reflect the status of the financial market. Providing out of date information could be costly for clients, and costly for the bank. With an array of regulatory changes, bankers also need to be aware of compliance issues.

Great bankers also have a personal drive for self-development. As customers are increasingly dealing with more than one bank, bankers must continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge so they can keep up with competitors.

Enthusiasm, creativity and salesmanship

A great banker has genuine enthusiasm for the company. Banking is no longer about crunching numbers behind a desk. Banking is a competitive business and a great banker goes out into the community to generate business. A great banker seizes opportunities to attend networking events and hunt for new clients.

A great banker is creative. They will help their clients use the bank's products in ways that best work for them. Bankers need to learn ways to adapt certain accounts and credit cards to meet their client's needs.

A great banker has a healthy dose of salesmanship. After you've structured a transaction, you need to negotiate with your clients and persuade them to accept your advice.

Lastly, bankers often see clients at a point of crisis. Legendary investment banker Bruce Wasserstein believed that a great banker thrives on the thrill of helping people at that point of crisis and bringing them through that crisis successfully.

Sources:

• 4 Traits banks look for in new staff - http://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/052413/4-traits-banks-look-new-staff.asp
• How to be a great banker: 5 steps - http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Great-Banker
• Good qualities needed for a banking job - http://www.ehow.com/facts_5173487_good-qualities-needed-banking-job.html
• 6 Traits of a great banker, according to Bruce Wasserstein - http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2009/12/08/6-traits-of-a-great-banker-according-to-bruce-wasserstein/
• The successful private banker of the future - http://www.project-firefly.com/node/14869