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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Bank clerk (Bankkaufmann/Bankkauffrau)

Bankkaufmann / Bankkauffrau

You advise customers on their accounts, savings and loans: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, leading to an occupation at the heart of banking.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,333 to €1,455gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a bank clerk does

They welcome and advise a bank's customers, manage accounts and payments, assess loan applications and offer savings, protection and financing solutions.

Advise

Support customers with their accounts, savings, investments and protection needs, depending on their situation.

Finance

Assess a consumer, mortgage or business loan application and check the customer's creditworthiness.

Manage

Open accounts, process transfers and payments, and follow legal rules and internal procedures.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like dealing with customers and can explain things simply
you are comfortable with numbers and calculation
you are careful with money and with rules to follow
you enjoy learning about law, economics and financial products

Less suitable if…

you do not like office work or customer-facing desk work
you struggle with strict rules and written procedures
you do not want to talk about money and contracts with customers

Advantages

High pay compared with the average
Qualification recognised throughout Germany
Customer contact and useful financial skills
Many options for further training

Difficulties

Sales targets and product selling
Demanding legal rules and continuing training
A lot of technical vocabulary in German
Mostly sedentary work, repetitive tasks

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:00

Opening and briefing for the dayThe trainer presents the appointments, the current files and the rules to follow.

09:00

Welcoming a customerUnderstand the request, open or change an account, explain fees and payment methods.

10:30

Following payment operationsCheck transfers, direct debits and standing orders, and spot anomalies.

13:00

Preparing a loan fileGather supporting documents and assess the customer's repayment capacity with the adviser.

15:00

Simulated advisory meetingPractise presenting a savings or protection solution suited to a customer profile.

16:30

Documentation and checksFile the case and check compliance with legal rules and internal procedures.

Technical skills

Customer adviceAccounts and paymentsSavings and investmentsLoans and financingProtection and insuranceAccounting and control

Personal qualities

People skillsAccuracyHead for numbersDiscretionService mindset

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

The basics

≈ €1,333gross / month

Opening and managing accounts
Payments and customer service
Financing a purchase

Year 2

Advice

≈ €1,387gross / month

Savings and investments
Protection and insurance
Final exam, part 1

Year 3

Going deeper

≈ €1,455gross / month

Mortgages and business loans
Financial control and project
Final exam, part 2

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale, industrie et commerce. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

The final exam is in two parts (gestreckte Abschlussprüfung). Part 1, in the 4th half-year, covers accounts and financing purchases (90 minutes, 20% of the mark). Part 2, at the end of training, has three written papers and a simulated advisory meeting. You obtain the IHK final certificate (Abschlusszeugnis IHK) as a bank clerk, issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessThe job is mostly sedentary, in a branch or an office, with daytime hours and weekend work being rather rare.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayCustomer adviserWork in a branch on accounts, savings and loans, or in the bank's internal departments.

With experienceBankfachwirt (IHK)Further qualification at bachelor level, open after 2 years of practice, leading to more responsibility.

Longer termBankbetriebswirt or studiesContinue with the Bankbetriebswirt or with business or economics studies, depending on your path.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Management, finance and administration” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Bank clerk (Bankkaufmann/Bankkauffrau)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

How does the two-part final exam work?

Part 1 takes place around the middle of the training and counts for 20% of the final mark. Part 2 takes place at the end and has written papers and a simulated advisory meeting.

Do you need a specific qualification to start?

The law sets no specific qualification, but in practice banks mostly recruit candidates with an Abitur or a Mittlere Reife, a level close to the baccalauréat.

In the same category

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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