Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Sara Zarkoob

Oakmount Drive, SW, Calgary,AB

Summary

Bank Manager with a results-oriented approach, leading high-performing banking teams in the financial services sector. Proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, enhancing client experiences, and exceeding market goals. Adept at overseeing day-to-day branch operations, building relationships, and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Assistant Branch Manger

BMO
Calgary, Alberta
06.2023 - Current
  • Performed performance evaluations, tracked employee objectives, and delivered guidance and mentoring when needed.
  • Provided leadership and direction to staff members for efficient operations of the branch.
  • Maintained adherence to both internal policies and procedures as well as external regulations.
  • Implemented tactics to increase customer satisfaction and improve service quality.
  • Prepared performance reports by analyzing financial data for senior management.
  • Monitored all branch operations encompassing sales metrics, inventory audits and customer service standards on a daily basis.
  • Ensured prompt response to customer inquiries or complaints, fostering positive relationships.
  • Delivered comprehensive training programs to familiarize new employees with company standards and protocols.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational skills by coordinating networking events and workshops centered around banking services for customers and team members.

Business Growth Advisor

Green Helium Corp.
Calgary, Alberta
12.2020 - Current
  • Determining business development opportunities and implementing effective strategies for working capital acquisition.
  • Developing precise understanding of business goals and priorities to establish the framework necessary for success.
  • Advising the CEO and the founder team on business matters and drafted innovative solutions.
  • Conducting relevant local and global market research and presenting to the board of directors.
  • Assisting the CEO and board of directors in the negotiation of legal documents such as term sheets, non-binding agreements, etc.
  • Researching and introducing the current industry trends to the board of directors.
  • Driving efforts to gain working capital and angel funding to start and grow the business.
  • Creating effective marketing and sales initiatives.
  • Facilitating and managing business development plans based on market and industry research.
  • Defining appropriate metrics and measurements to drive results.

Business Advisor

ATB Financial
Calgary, AB
11.2022 - 06.2023
  • Identify and offer appropriate financial products, services, and ATB partner options to business clients based on their specific needs.
  • Plan and attend collaborative business meetings with both new and existing clients, fostering strong relationships and facilitating growth opportunities.
  • Provide expert consultation to business clients regarding their business plans, market research, networking opportunities, and relevant internal partner resources for business growth.
  • Develop and execute strategic plans for hosting networking and educational events for business clients in the downtown core branches of ATB, leading to increased business revenue and client retention.
  • Advise business clients on various banking products, services, and lending options, including Lending, Interact, Digital Banking, and cash management, while ensuring compliance with all regulations.
  • Guide clients through the secure and unsecured business lending application process, identifying appropriate solutions and assisting with funding as needed.
  • Collaborate with partners in the capital market and wealth management sectors to provide specialized assistance to businesses in areas such as lending, investment, and foreign exchange.
  • Participate in the training and mentoring of new team members, providing guidance and support in secure and non-secure lending onboarding and training.
  • Lead educational cohorts for newly onboarded team members to ensure they are fully equipped to assist clients with their financial needs.
  • Oversee daily branch operations, ensuring adherence to bank and legal guidelines for reporting, loan approvals, and money handling, while delivering exceptional customer service.
  • Attend networking events to establish community relations and generate potential business leads for the branch.
  • Create and execute loan documents, and complete loan servicing procedures to assess compliance with bank and regulatory terms and conditions.
  • Drive branch revenue and portfolio growth by recommending various financial products and services to prospective business clients based on their needs.
  • Provide excellent customer service by answering banking questions and recommending appropriate solutions to clients.
  • Develop and implement creative operational strategies to increase branch revenue, improve team efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Personal Banker II

ATB Financial
Calgary, Alberta
11.2021 - 11.2022
  • Expanded client base through consistent sales strategy. (Repeatedly recognized as a high performers in between the organization's sales team members )
  • Grew business by leveraging inbound and outbound interactions with new and existing clients.
  • Built strong rapport with new and existing clients to better serve financial needs and promote branch loyalty.
  • Mentor and train new team members to perform to their full potential, driving branch profitability by developing their sales skills in retail banking.
  • Maximized branch revenue by optimizing daily operations.
  • Helped customers make sound financial decisions, and apply for loans, and investments.
  • Described promotional offers and used persuasive sales techniques. ( Recognized high performer multiple times among the sales team each quarter)
  • Created strategic financial solutions to suit individualized client needs.
  • Met with clients to facilitate budget management and financial guidance.
  • Promoted a diverse array of financial products by continuously acquiring new industry knowledge.
  • Improved decision-making by using current data on market conditions and individual financial situations.
  • Profiled and analyzed investment products to devise financial strategies, meeting client financial needs and forecasting opportunities with the highest return on investment.

Founder

R.L Artistry
Calgary, AB
12.2017 - 11.2021
  • Created highly successful marketing and branding strategies to spearhead entry into the market.
  • Educated over thirty start-ups and provided business development, creation of operational procedures, and workflow planning.
  • Identified B2B & B2C business opportunities.
  • Developed a clear mission, and vision for the company as a foundation for growth, branding, and development.
  • Worked with teams to bring new and innovative products to market in six months from concept through market-ready production.
  • Developed and implemented positioning, messaging, sales collateral, and training materials to achieve revenue targets.
  • Used client-defined specifications and preferences to develop product concepts and offerings.
  • Collaborated with the design team to align marketing strategy, messaging, and tactics.
  • Developed products based on consumer feedback and market analysis to increase sales and expand product offering.
  • Collaborated with the team to forecast based on sales and product profitability.
  • Established goals, policies, and work standards to strengthen team performance and boost product results.
  • Leveraged email, print, and social campaign strategies to strengthen brand awareness with target consumers.
  • Expanded new businesses by developing powerful sales, advertising, and marketing campaigns.
  • Improved marketing plans and sales strategies processes to maximize business development.
  • Managed multiple projects and met time-sensitive deadlines.
  • Forecasted and tracked marketing and sales trends.
  • Oversaw business communications and coordinated event promotion to increase brand awareness.
  • Gathered requirements, oversaw testing and monitored performance to proactively adjust product marketing strategies.

Financial Services Manager

BMO Financial Group
Kelowna, BC
12.2016 - 10.2019
  • Expanded client base through consistent sales strategy. (Repeatedly recognized as a high performers in between the organization's sales team members )
  • Grew business by leveraging inbound and outbound interactions with new and existing clients.
  • Built strong rapport with new and existing clients to better serve financial needs and promote branch loyalty.
  • Maximized branch revenue by optimizing daily operations.
  • Helped customers make sound financial decisions, and apply for loans, and investments.
  • Created strategic financial solutions to suit individualized client needs.
  • Met with clients to facilitate budget management and financial guidance.
  • Promoted a diverse array of financial products by continuously acquiring new industry knowledge.
  • Improved decision-making by using current data on market conditions and individual financial situations.
  • Profiled and analyzed investment products to devise financial strategies, meeting client financial needs and forecasting opportunities with the highest return on investment.

Education

Certificate - Branch Compliance Officer

CSI
06-2023

Certification -

Investment Funds In Canada
CSI Institute
05.2021

BBA - Business Administration

Okanagan College/UBCO
Kelowna, BC
09.2017

Diploma - Information Technology

PIC College
Malaysia
01.2011

Skills

  • Lead and manage a team of bankers, ensuring high performance and engagement through ongoing coaching, development, and support
  • Oversee day-to-day operations and audit controls, and system administration, ensuring compliance with company standards and regulations
  • Drive the execution of strategic initiatives by leading the sales and service team and projects aimed at achieving key business objectives
  • Cultivate strong relationships with internal teams and customers to manage expectations and ensure seamless collaboration
  • Monitor performance against business goals, using data-driven insights to implement improvements that enhance overall team efficiency, performance and client experience

Timeline

Assistant Branch Manger

BMO
06.2023 - Current

Business Advisor

ATB Financial
11.2022 - 06.2023

Personal Banker II

ATB Financial
11.2021 - 11.2022

Business Growth Advisor

Green Helium Corp.
12.2020 - Current

Founder

R.L Artistry
12.2017 - 11.2021

Financial Services Manager

BMO Financial Group
12.2016 - 10.2019

Certification -

Investment Funds In Canada

BBA - Business Administration

Okanagan College/UBCO

Diploma - Information Technology

PIC College

Certificate - Branch Compliance Officer

CSI
Sara Zarkoob