A career that inspires people to action

If you think being a BMO Bank Manager is all about the numbers, think again. For Fullerton, California-based Aaron Peraza, the best part of the job is empowering people to achieve their goals — personal, professional and financial.  

What led you to a career in banking? 

I started my career as a teller. To be honest, it was just a job at first. But when I found I could make a real difference in people’s lives, I quickly grew to love the work.  

Once I began envisioning a career in banking, I started exploring pathways to becoming a bank manager. I had strong leaders in those years who had travelled the same path, so they were my source of inspiration. 

You spent the first phase of your career with another financial institution. What brought you to BMO? 

After 11 or 12 years I was ready to make a jump. I wanted to build my career at a place where my voice mattered, and that would prioritize my growth — both personally and professionally. BMO had the culture that I was looking for. 

From your perspective, what sets BMO apart from other financial institutions? 

I’d say it’s our culture of collaboration—it’s unique in our industry. My branch is in a business district, so I work closely with experts from BMO Commercial Bank and Wealth Management, helping to bring my clients the expertise they need to make real financial progress. I’m still the quarterback, but I can hand off to the right specialist in a way that’s seamless for our clients. We get great feedback on the experience, and it enables us to keep more of our clients’ business.  

Tell us about the day-to-day experience of being a BMO bank manager. 

Every day is different, but I will say about 25 per cent of my time involves coffee! I’m either running a team huddle, or doing one-on-one check-ins with team members, or having face-to-face meetings with clients. My job is to inspire people to action, whether that’s motivating my team to aim higher, or giving a client the confidence they need to make important financial decisions. So, I need every bit of energy I can get. 

What do you enjoy most about the role? 

From the beginning of my career, I’ve enjoyed building relationships with clients by developing a deep understanding of their needs—even needs they weren’t aware of. As a bank manager, I’m now able to make an even bigger impact by motivating my team to deliver the same great experience, and by equipping them with the skills they need to provide the right solutions. 

What’s a common misconception about being a bank manager? 

Many people think the role is purely operational—that it’s all about approving loans, balancing budgets and managing compliance. Those things are important, but the heart of the role is really leadership. It’s about inspiring your team, developing talent, and creating an environment where people are empowered to grow and solve problems for our clients. That’s really my passion. I love seeing people that I’ve mentored gain confidence and build new skills. It’s a privilege to help shape their careers. 

What kind of person is suited for the role? 

Experience and technical knowledge are obviously important, but you don’t need to know everything on day one. What matters more is your mindset. If you’re someone who is adaptable, people-focused and committed to helping others succeed, and you can lead with empathy and curiosity, you’d be an ideal candidate for the role. 

You mentioned that personal and professional growth are important priorities. What kind of development opportunities have you experienced at BMO—and where are they leading you? 

I knew BMO had a reputation as a leader in professional development, but when I joined, the range of opportunities still surprised me. There are formalized pathway programs for bankers, managers and leaders that help us progress in our careers, as well as informal mentorship programs available that enable us to connect with senior colleagues for advice and insight into their career journeys. Again, our culture of collaboration is a huge advantage. 

Speaking personally, I’m working toward becoming a regional sales manager. This will enable me to take everything I’ve learned about coaching and empowering a team and apply it at a bigger scale. I’ve only been here a short while, but I’m already excited about my future with BMO.  

Explore bank manager roles and other opportunities on BMO's Careers site.