Finance and Banking Jobs in Chicago, IL
Chicago is a banking headquarters town: Northern Trust has been based here since 1889, BMO runs its U.S. headquarters from the West Loop, and JPMorganChase employs more than 14,000 people across the area. Here are the current finance and banking openings, followed by who is hiring and what the work pays.
Current finance Openings in Chicago, IL
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Finance and Banking Work in Chicago
The work splits into two worlds. Downtown, LaSalle Street and the Wacker Drive corridor hold the headquarters jobs: Northern Trust has more than 7,000 people in Chicago across offices at 50 S. LaSalle, 81 W. Madison and 333 S. Wabash, and BMO Tower at 320 S. Canal in the West Loop holds more than 3,000 employees. Those offices hire analysts, fund and securities operations staff, risk, audit and corporate finance teams. Insurers add to the mix, with Health Care Service Corporation posting financial analyst and accountant roles in Chicago.
Out in the neighborhoods, branch banking is the entry point. Chase, Wintrust, Huntington, PNC and Fifth Third all post teller and banker roles at Chicago branches, from Ravenswood and Rogers Park on the North Side to New City and the Far South Side. Bilingual English and Spanish bankers are in demand on the Northwest and South Sides, and Illinois pay transparency rules mean most postings now show the pay range up front.
Top Chicago Employers Hiring in Finance and Banking
These employers have posted finance and banking roles in Chicago:
- JPMorganChase - Chase hires associate bankers at branches across the city, including bilingual roles on the Northwest Side.
- Northern Trust - the LaSalle Street wealth and asset servicing bank hires analysts, including new graduates in securities processing.
- BMO - the bank's U.S. headquarters at BMO Tower in the West Loop employs more than 3,000 people.
- Wintrust - the Rosemont-based bank hires tellers at Chicago branches and contact center representatives in Rosemont.
- Health Care Service Corporation - the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois parent hires financial analysts and accountants in Chicago.
- Huntington Bank - hires customer experience bankers at its LaSalle Street branch and bilingual relationship bankers in New City.
Finance and Banking Salaries in Chicago
- Entry level: about $17.50 to $22 an hour for tellers and branch associates, with Wintrust posting $19 to $21 for a part-time teller.
- Experienced: roughly $60,000 to $103,000 a year for accountants, loan officers and junior analysts.
- Senior: $130,000 to $170,000 or more for senior financial analysts, with finance managers at a median near $168,800.
These are estimates based on federal wage data for the Chicago metro and ranges in local postings. Pay rises with licenses and credentials such as the CPA, with bilingual skills in branch roles, and with a move from a neighborhood branch to a downtown headquarters team.
How to Start a Finance and Banking Career in Chicago
Branch jobs are the most open door: most teller and associate banker roles ask for a high school diploma or GED and some cash handling or customer service experience, and Illinois does not license bank tellers. City Colleges of Chicago offers a Banking Basic Certificate at Harold Washington College in the Loop and a Business/Finance associate degree at six campuses. Analyst and accounting roles usually require a bachelor's degree, and UIC and DePaul both run accounting programs built for the CPA exam. The CPA itself is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation after the exam administered by the Illinois Board of Examiners.
What the Job Involves
In a branch, the job means handling deposits, withdrawals and cash, opening accounts, spotting fraud and pointing customers to the right product. In a headquarters role it means building reports and forecasts, reconciling accounts, processing trades and payments, reviewing credit and supporting audits. Both sides run on accuracy, compliance with banking rules and a lot of time in Excel and the bank's own systems.
Skills Employers Look For
- Accurate cash handling and attention to detail
- Customer service and clear communication
- Bilingual English and Spanish for many branch roles
- Excel and financial reporting skills
- Knowledge of accounting principles or financial analysis
- Fraud awareness and comfort with compliance rules
Career Path and Advancement
Many Chicago banking careers start behind a teller window and move to lead teller, personal banker and branch manager, and Wintrust advertises a promote-from-within culture. On the headquarters side the ladder runs from analyst or staff accountant to senior analyst, manager and controller or finance director. Moving from a branch into operations, lending or a downtown finance team is a common jump once you add a degree or certification.
Related Careers in Chicago
If finance and banking interest you, these related Chicago roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a banking job in Chicago without a degree?
Yes. Teller and associate banker roles at banks such as Chase and Wintrust generally ask for a high school diploma or GED plus some cash handling or customer service experience. Many people use those jobs to move into personal banking or operations.
Which banks are headquartered in Chicago?
Northern Trust is headquartered at 50 S. LaSalle Street, and BMO runs its U.S. headquarters from BMO Tower at 320 S. Canal Street. Wintrust is based in nearby Rosemont, and JPMorganChase uses Chase Tower as its Chicago headquarters.
How much do finance jobs pay in Chicago?
Tellers in the Chicago metro earn a median of about $21.41 an hour. Accountants earn a median near $82,360 a year and financial analysts about $101,750, with senior analysts and finance managers well above that.
Do I need a license to work in a Chicago bank?
Illinois does not license bank tellers or most branch roles, though banks run background checks before hiring. Accountants who want to become CPAs are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Are bilingual banking jobs common in Chicago?
Yes, especially on the Northwest and South Sides. Chase and Huntington have both posted Chicago banker roles that require English and Spanish.
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