Series 6 for Bank Employees – Is It Worth It?
- April 1, 2025
- Posted by: 'FINRA Exam Mastery'
- Category: Finance
🏦 Series 6 for Bank Employees – Is It Worth It?
If you work in a bank and are looking to expand your role or boost your income potential, earning the Series 6 license might be your next best move. This entry-level securities license allows you to offer packaged investment products—an increasingly valuable skill set in today’s relationship-focused banking environment.
💼 What Is the Series 6 License?
The Series 6 license, officially the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam, authorizes you to sell mutual funds, variable annuities, unit investment trusts (UITs), and insurance-based investment products. It’s designed for professionals who provide investment solutions within a limited product scope—perfect for many banking roles.
📋 What You Can Sell with Series 6
| Product Type | Sell with Series 6? |
|---|---|
| Mutual Funds | ✅ Yes |
| Variable Annuities | ✅ Yes |
| Unit Investment Trusts (UITs) | ✅ Yes |
| 529 College Savings Plans | ✅ Yes |
| Stocks, Bonds, ETFs | ❌ No |
| Options | ❌ No |
To sell broader investment products (like stocks and ETFs), you’d need the Series 7 license instead.
🏦 Why It Makes Sense for Bank Employees
✅ Expand Your Role
Offer more than savings accounts and CDs. Help clients with investment products, especially for retirement, education, and income planning.
✅ Increase Commission and Bonus Potential
Licensed employees often qualify for higher compensation through incentive-based programs and sales-based bonuses.
✅ Enhance Client Relationships
Deepen trust by offering investment solutions as part of a holistic financial plan—right from the bank branch.
✅ Stay Competitive
More banks are seeking cross-trained staff who can manage both traditional banking needs and simple investment services.
🧠 Exam Format and Requirements
- Administered by: FINRA
- Number of Questions: 50 scored + 5 unscored
- Time Limit: 90 minutes
- Passing Score: 70%
- Cost: Typically $75–$100 (varies by employer)
Note: Series 6 candidates must be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm—usually your bank.
🛠️ Is Series 6 Enough?
Yes—if your goal is to stay within banking and offer packaged products. If you aspire to become a financial advisor or sell individual securities, you’ll eventually need to upgrade to Series 7 or consider pairing Series 6 with Series 63.
✅ Take the Next Step in Your Banking Career
Our Series 6 course is tailored for professionals like you—busy, ambitious, and ready to grow. Get lifetime access to expert-led lessons, practice exams, and real-world product knowledge built for success in the banking world.
Enroll today at finra-exam-mastery.com