Will AI replace Tellers?
AI can do 44% of the work Tellers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 28 tasks, while 13 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 10 physical tasks. 4 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 2% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Perform clerical tasks, such as typing, filing, and microfilm photography.Mostly assisted2% of time
AI could do this next13 · 42% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Balance currency, coin, and checks in cash drawers at ends of shifts and calculate daily transactions, using computers, calculators, or adding machines.8% of time
- Enter customers' transactions into computers to record transactions and issue computer-generated receipts.8% of time
- Resolve problems or discrepancies concerning customers' accounts.6% of time
- Answer telephones and assist customers with their questions.6% of time
- Examine checks for endorsements and to verify other information, such as dates, bank names, identification of the persons receiving payments, and the legality of the documents.5% of time
- Process transactions, such as term deposits, retirement savings plan contributions, automated teller transactions, night deposits, and mail deposits.5% of time
- Obtain and process information required for the provision of services, such as opening accounts, savings plans, and purchasing bonds.3% of time
- Process and maintain records of customer loans.2% of time
- Compute financial fees, interest, and service charges.2% of time
- Compose, type, and mail customer statements and other correspondence related to issues such as discrepancies and outstanding unpaid items.under 1% of time
- Issue checks to bond owners in settlement of transactions.under 1% of time
- Inform customers about foreign currency regulations and compute transaction fees for currency exchanges.under 1% of time
- Quote unit exchange rates, following daily international rate sheets or computer displays.under 1% of time
Robots can technically do this10 · 45% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check accuracy of deposit slips.Robots: structured workplaces15% of time
- Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds.Robots: structured workplaces14% of time
- Count currency, coins, and checks received, by hand or using currency-counting machine, to prepare them for deposit or shipment to branch banks or the Federal Reserve Bank.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
- Prepare and verify cashier's checks.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Arrange monies received in cash boxes and coin dispensers according to denomination.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Receive mortgage, loan, or public utility bill payments, verifying payment dates and amounts due.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Monitor bank vaults to ensure cash balances are correct.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Sort and file deposit slips and checks.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Receive and count daily inventories of cash, drafts, and travelers' checks.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Count, verify, and post armored car deposits.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
Still needs a person4 · 11% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Explain, promote, or sell products or services, such as travelers' checks, savings bonds, money orders, and cashier's checks, using computerized information about customers to tailor recommendations.5% of time
- Carry out special services for customers, such as ordering bank cards and checks.3% of time
- Identify transaction mistakes when debits and credits do not balance.2% of time
- Order a supply of cash to meet daily needs.2% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 59% of the working time.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 13 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 10 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 4 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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