Teller Operations and Vault Management
Teller operations questions focus on the daily rhythm of the counter and the vault. You must understand opening and closing procedures, till balancing, cash limits per teller, large-note and small-note mix, the vault register, dual custody of the vault, key and combination control, and the handling of cash shipments and remittances. Know why tellers keep a prescribed denomination mix and why excess cash is surrendered to the vault.
Vault management adds a second layer: the vault must be opened under dual control, every entry logged, and physical cash reconciled to the vault register at defined intervals. Questions often probe who may hold keys, what happens when a custodian is absent, and how a surprise verification is conducted.
Traps include confusing a teller's cash limit with the branch limit, and assuming a single officer may open the vault in an emergency. The safe answer is that dual control is never waived; if a custodian is unavailable, an alternate is formally designated.
Rule of thumb: every movement of cash or valuables needs three things - authorisation, a witness, and a record. If any one is missing, the control has failed.
Worked example: A teller's limit is 150,000 and the till holds 210,000 after a large deposit. The teller must surrender at least 60,000 to the vault, obtain a receipt, and record the transfer in both the till sheet and the vault register.