Washington Mutual Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Washington Mutual?

What do you like best about working at Washington Mutual? Are there any great perks or special treats for employees?

I started working at WaMu in 1999 as a Teller. At first I was paid lower than average for a teller, then received a raise a few months later to the correct salary.

I was laid off from the Call Center in WA in 2004. The next year I returned to work in their Loan Dept in WA and a year and a half later was laid off from there also.

From my experience... Other banks do pay more than WaMu. If you know the right people in WaMu you will be fine but there is not much hope if you are starting out fresh.

Host said: What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Washington Mutual?
What do you like best about working at Washington Mutual? Are there any great perks or special treats for employees?

FOrget it, you are just a number. They take the work, they kik you out unless you joint the boys club or the smoking vagan.

Ask for more, at least you will get some where.

Ex-Wamulian2 said: I started working at WaMu in 1999 as a Teller. At first I was paid lower than average for a teller, then received a raise a few months later to the correct salary.
I was laid off from the Call Center in WA in 2004. The next year I returned to work in their Loan Dept in WA and a year and a half later was laid off from there also.
From my experience... Other banks do pay more than WaMu. If you know the right people in WaMu you will be fine but there is not much hope if you are starting out fresh.

That is right. You should be a favourite or you will be laid off from the next layoff. Longterm, forget it.

Of course it has nothing to do with your lack of spelling and or typing skills, leading a person to question the education you may or may not have. This coupled with the obvious negative attitude you posses probably has more to do with you getting laid off than WaMu company policy. Try some personal responsibility once in a while.

As with most large companies, one has to actively manage their career in order to succeed. With many layers of management, demonstrating success in one's role and building solid business relationships are vitally important to enhancing career prospects. WaMu might pay a little less that some banks, but opportunities for growth are abundant and the general work environment is positive. Entry level finance salaries are in the forties w/ 8% target bonus. Salaries can grow pretty quickly once in a management position. Benefits include all the usual suspects. Perks include discounts on cell phones, transportation, gyms, etc.

Host said: What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Washington Mutual?
What do you like best about working at Washington Mutual? Are there any great perks or special treats for employees?

It isn't worth it. I was there for a number of years and they do not know how to stick to a plan, let alone formulate one. I was there during one of the layoffs (my job was saved - not sure if that was a blessing or not). The reason for it was that the secondary department screwed up by not hedging WaMu's loans effectively & lost $$. So, becuase of error, my friends suffered (& myself as the workload increased while employees did not). It has nothing to do with your experience or work ethic, it all is in who you know. That has been my experience. I have never in my life worked for so many managers who had no business being there - they lack knowledge, they have virtually zero people skills, they don't understand the first thing about effective management + a big turnoff for me is the micromanagement. It runs rampant there! Proceed with caution! Also, job stability is in question. There are many rumours that WaMu will be purchased. Not sure if WaMu as a whole is looking at selling or perhaps just selling off divisions like their Home Loan Services.

WaMulian said: As with most large companies, one has to actively manage their career in order to succeed. With many layers of management, demonstrating success in one's role and building solid business relationships are vitally important to enhancing career prospects. WaMu might pay a little less that some banks, but opportunities for growth are abundant and the general work environment is positive. Entry level finance salaries are in the forties w/ 8% target bonus. Salaries can grow pretty quickly once in a management position. Benefits include all the usual suspects. Perks include discounts on cell phones, transportation, gyms, etc.

That's not true. I worked for WaMu for almost 2 years with a BS degree and I'm was MBA candidate, nobody gave me the opportunity and I accepted the job because the recruiter told me about the "opportunities". My manager didn't even know how to use Outlook... WaMu??? no way....

I worked for 8 years, but was not part of the boys club or the girls smoking club. I agree, there are too many manager's they appoint don't know what is a Refi or DTI. WAMU is not what you know, whome you know. Best advise is stay with your boss. I know another person who worked so good but was given a written notice for one mistake. Next time you know is the person started getting transferred from another department to another and ultimately ended up in one of these layoffs. But they don't realize they lost another good employee who did not have trouble finding another job next day.

If you are lucky to get a manager, who does not know where the bosses seat is, you can get promoted to the same job few times with several raises which I was lucky in one way. Did I complain? NOOOOOOOOO

So be nice to your boss. Boss is always correct even they don't know how to read e-mail. As far as you are on time to the meeting, you will servive.

One more thing is, don't listen to the crap from HR, they say Oh! we are here to listen, no HR is there just like you are to make a buck to pay their bills. So whatever the management say, you are garbage.

I can't wait to see the company is sold to someone who really care about the employees and customers. WAMU does not know that they are loosing business because of their bad reputation, even in the mortgage servicing cannot handle their escrow accounts. When you go to pay messed up property taxes, they have a separate line just for WAMU mistakes.

Sorry to give all the negative feedback. Hope someone will WAMU get the message sooner or later.

WaMu is often mentioned as a merger partner for JP Morgan Chase and it's the kind of company Jamie Dimon would want. If that happens, and you work for WaMu as a branch, you're probably alright as long as there are no Chase branches locally. If you are a headquarters type, get busy looking because in about six months, they'll start laying you off. If there are any call center jobs not being fielded by people in India, Jamie and his BankOne Rangers will see that they go first. The rest of you will go as soon as they get your customers onto their computer platforms. That may take a year or so. If there are any businesses WaMu is into that they are stronger than JPMC, well you may survive (or you may just survive a little longer).

As for management, it's the same story at JPMC. The managers are so busy cycling through one job after another trying to build contacts and gain breadth that they have no DEPTH of knowledge at anything.

Plainly, working for any bank is good experience on paper. You can't replace the pain of being employed by a treacherous boss or what not, but it still looks good. Somehow even after how bad of an experience it was, other employers can see that you were there. Working there is good if you want a good start in accumulating experience such as I, who is still in college and was hired a month before I turned 18. If you have the time to explore your job/career options, it's a great choice regardless of any reason beyond it being a bad company to work for. If you believe it to be a good choice for you, go see for yourself.

Goodness! So many people who post here complaining about their bosses, or "manager's" (confusing plural with possessive), simply cannot communicate in writing.

...there are too many manager's they appoint don't know
what is a Refi or DTI. WAMU is not what you know, whome
you know. Best advise is stay with your boss.

Perhaps there are too many managers that are hired by WAMU who do not even know what a Refi or a DTI is. It may also be true that it's more important who you know than what you know. The best advice may even be, that if one is hired by WAMU, he should remain closely allied to his direct superior.

All of that said, however, one should also be concerned with learning to type correspondence in the English language, if one wants to work for WAMU, or any other bank in America, and not have to worry about being laid off.

Griff in Dallas, Texas said: Goodness! So many people who post here complaining about their bosses, or "manager's" (confusing plural with possessive), simply cannot communicate in writing.

...there are too many manager's they appoint don't know
what is a Refi or DTI. WAMU is not what you know, whome
you know. Best advise is stay with your boss.

Perhaps there are too many managers that are hired by WAMU who do not even know what a Refi or a DTI is. It may also be true that it's more important who you know than what you know. The best advice may even be, that if one is hired by WAMU, he should remain closely allied to his direct superior.

All of that said, however, one should also be concerned with learning to type correspondence in the English language, if one wants to work for WAMU, or any other bank in America, and not have to worry about being laid off.

Go Griff in Dallas! You summed it up perfectly. One should take a look at themselves before they rant and rave about the management... seems that mentality of "it's everyone else's fault but mine" is running rampant. LOL

I currenty work for WAMU but am looking for a new job. Unfortunatley pickings are slim in the part of Washington where I'm at. I started with the company four years ago and boy oh boy has it changed in those four years. When I was originally hired, all I heard was "Washington Mutual is so great, they really care about their employees" or "There is so much room for advancement" and "We care so much about our customers." Yeah right!!! I have a degree but they started me out as a teller which is fine because I had no banking experience and after a few months I was told I was being promoted to PFR. I later found out that it was because our existing PFR quit and no one else wanted the job at our branch because the area was really bad and so is the manager. I was given less than sufficient whirlwind training and expected to immediately start doing the regular PFR job plus still be a teller. I ended up working six days a week because I had no time to do anything and they had to pay me the overtime because they didn't have a choice. I've moved and worked at a few other branches but it's always the same problem. Once someone becomes a branch manager, they just sit on their butts all day talking on the phone with friends or go out for three hour lunches when the branch is busy and short-staffed and do nothing to help out but then have the audacity to complain when we're not close to our goals which is mandatory now. That's another thing. WaMu used to be all about customer service but now it seems they are only concerned about making money and they couldn't care less about their customers. The base pay for PFRs is paltry and they just lowered the commission payouts even though you are expected to do more work. As far as promotions go, they are practically non-existent. I have applied a couple of times for assistant manager positions only to be turned down and it given to someone from outside the company. I am over qualified for the job. Out of typing room

I feel your pain. I went through 8 years with the same problem.

basically as an individual you cannot place all the blame on the banking system & none on yourself. When a person is hired they have that they are wiling to take on new task. All banks offer onsite/offsite training, which the employer should take full advantage of. Saying all that, I'm currently employed for (4) years by HSBC bank usa (New York) as an Assistant Branch Manager/Small Business Relationship Manager. Prior to that I worked (5) years for Citigroup, also as an Assistant Manager, & (3) years with JP Morgan Chase. Over 12 years of banking, & I'm currently relocating to Atlanta Area, I applied to WAMU for a SBRM position & ws told it was a Pilot position & that you have to work in the Atlanta area to be considered for employment. I don't agree with that, because when it was a new program @ HSBC no one knew anything about the SBRM role. 4 years later & 2years back to back with many awards and certificates I remain in the top 10 in the New York Downstate region of 80 SBRM & #3 in NEW YORK South. WAMU needs to look more out the box & not geographically.

Host said: What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Washington Mutual?

What do you like best about working at Washington Mutual? Are there any great perks or special treats for employees?

My wife works as an Exec Asst at WAMU and they paid higher starting salary and benefits by far as compared to other companies in Jax.

fred flinstone in Eugene, Oregon said: Of course it has nothing to do with your lack of spelling and or typing skills, leading a person to question the education you may or may not have. This coupled with the obvious negative attitude you posses probably has more to do with you getting laid off than WaMu company policy. Try some personal responsibility once in a while.

Hey MORON, it's POSSESS not POSSES. You should learn to spell too. =)

HMMM, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT ONE REASON NONE OF YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANY POSITION ANYWHERE IS THE FACT YOU CANNOT EVEN DO ONE SIMPLE LITTLE THING...ANSWER THE FRIGGIN QUESTION!

FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED....
POSITION: BANKING LOAN CONSULTANT
WAMU OFFEREDED ME A BASE SALARY OF $14.42/HR.($30K/YR) PLUS COMMISSION AND INCENTIVES THAT CAN ADD $3-10K PER MONTH. THEY ALSO INCLUDED A VIG (VOLUME INCENTIVE GUARANTEE) OF $1,500/MONTH FOR THE FIRST 7 PAY PERIODS OR 3.5 MONTHS.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS AND STANDARD BENEFITS INCLUDED AS WELL. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE PACKAGE IS MIN. $55K WITH AVERAGE EXPECTED CLOSE TO 100K YEAR.

Are PFRs like Personal Bankers?

I think that right now the incentive s/goals at the FCs has really changed. I donot work in a Fc but we do have a blog that we can post comments at work and ideas/views etc and from what has been posted lately is that the goals are really hard to meet. The incentive packages have changed for ALL of us WAMULIANS . It has been voiced alot lately to change the incentives not sure if they are listening. I can tell you that I have worked for WAMU for 12 years (I orked at a Bank that they bought out so really I have worked in the same campus since 1988). Things have really been cut back not like it use to be . I donot feel the fair , and caring side of our values any longer. I hope this helps

Can anyone tell me about positions in San Antonio, Texas. I am applying for a position as Quality Manager I. Any info on salary range or the work place here.

Diane said: I think that right now the incentive s/goals at the FCs has really changed. I donot work in a Fc but we do have a blog that we can post comments at work and ideas/views etc and from what has been posted lately is that the goals are really hard to meet. The incentive packages have changed for ALL of us WAMULIANS . It has been voiced alot lately to change the incentives not sure if they are listening. I can tell you that I have worked for WAMU for 12 years (I orked at a Bank that they bought out so really I have worked in the same campus since 1988). Things have really been cut back not like it use to be . I donot feel the fair , and caring side of our values any longer. I hope this helps

HEY DIANE I HAVE BEEN APPLYING TO WAMU FOR MONTHS NOW AND DO NOT GET ANY CALL BACKS...I APPLIED MOSTLY FOR THE PFR POSITION BUT SINCE I WAS NEVER CONTACTED I STARTED APPLYING FOR A TELLER POSITION AND STILL NO LUCK....I HAVE A LOT OF SALES EXPERIENCE ALONG WITH TELEMARKETING EXPERIENCE CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO GET A JOB THERE ? THANK YOU

What branch are you looking at? Are you looking in Brooklyn? If you know what area I can ask the FC if they are doing any hiring. Most of the tim you have to keep on the recruiter. They are VERY slow abot returning phone calls etc.( if you can give the address of the FC that you are trying with I will ask the FC.

I AM WILLING TO WORK ANYWHERE IN BROOKLYN PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OPENINGS BUT I APPLY ALMOST EVERYDAY EVERYTIME SOMETHING NEW COMES OUT I APPLY

diane said: What branch are you looking at? Are you looking in Brooklyn? If you know what area I can ask the FC if they are doing any hiring. Most of the tim you have to keep on the recruiter. They are VERY slow abot returning phone calls etc.( if you can give the address of the FC that you are trying with I will ask the FC.

THERE IS A POSITION FOR A PFR IN BROOKLYN ON BRIGHTON BEACH EAST THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A PERSON WHO SPEAKS RUSSIAN AND ENGLISH AND I SPEAK BOTH FLUENTLY IF YOU KNOW ANYONE THERE I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT. THANK YOU

Hi Maryana, I sent a email to the FC managers about you. I asked them to let me know about the openings . I also told them about you speaking Russian. I hope they will get back to me. If so I will email you again. This is the best way to fund a job ! Networking !

Texan in San Antonio, Texas said: Can anyone tell me about positions in San Antonio, Texas. I am applying for a position as Quality Manager I. Any info on salary range or the work place here.

They are moving a lot of postions to San Antonio. Our dept should be moving soon and so should Subpoena and Levies(I work in Safebox). They also have Bank by mail their

HEY DIANE THANK YOU SO MUCH I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF YOU NEED MY RESUME I CAN EMAIL IT TO YOU....IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MERLIKH@YAHOO.COM

Diane, I used to work for WAMU and switch to the mortgage industry but with all this changes I'd like to go back I just finished my MBA last June. I applyed several times with no response. I'm looking for Business Development, Product Managementor so.

MARYANA in Brooklyn, New York said: HEY DIANE THANK YOU SO MUCH I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF YOU NEED MY RESUME I CAN EMAIL IT TO YOU....IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MERLIKH@YAHOO.COM

I will elt you know one way or the other if I hear from them. Usually The East Coast(and Washington) are pretty good of at least answering you. I will elt you know as soon as I hear something.

Walter in Seattle, Washington said: Diane, I used to work for WAMU and switch to the mortgage industry but with all this changes I'd like to go back I just finished my MBA last June. I applyed several times with no response. I'm looking for Business Development, Product Managementor so.

Are you looking In Seattle? The place to be is Texas. Everything seems to be moving there. Most of the Chatsworth campus is moving there.

Yes Seattle, but I willing to relocate for the right opportunity...

Hey Maryana,
I heard from the branch Manager George. He said he is hiring for Tellers right now. He asked me to have you come see him at the Fc . Please bring your resume and he will have you fill out a application. He has to forward it to Human resource . He seemed nice so go see him and we will see what happens. He said for you to put my name down I think the application asks if you know anyone who works at WAMU. Good Luck!

Host said: What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Washington Mutual?

What do you like best about working at Washington Mutual? Are there any great perks or special treats for employees?

The pay is offensive. You have the potential to make bonuses, but the sales quotas are ridiculously high, so the bonuses aren't usually too good.

San Antonio is the Call center of the world. Cheap labor, un-educated individuals take on salaries of 30k or less. The cost of living in San Antonio is low thus, WAMU is relocating to save its business bottom line. This is a smart move for the overall business and for their shareholders. Lower salaries and zero bonuses = to a higher EPS for WAMU.

I have no idea about WAMU as I am a "Trader" who trades US and Euro Markets. I do know that San Antonio has been choosen by many Leading Banking Companies because they can capitalize on cheap and uneducated labor, much like going south of the border but still staying in the US.

Anyone in the Chicago Area might want to try a company that helped me and a few of my co-workers get great jobs!!! They treated us very well. Most agencies treat you like a number because they have quotas and the all mighty dollar is what they look for. It's horrible when you are not treated right. The person I worked with had several different positions in many fields of expertise.

Try Strategic Talent in the Chicago area. They were very nice to me and treated me excellent.

This is the email of the recruiter that we all used.She was great to work with.

hr.strategictalent@yahoo.com Her name is Jeanna.

Send your resume and what kind of job you want.

Good Luck!

To anyone who cares - I had a friend who worked for a bank in Boston, and after more than 15 years on the job and a $90K + salary per year, she just walked out one day without giving notice. She now lives in California, where we worked together for a law office. I talked her out of entering the legal industry by sharing all my nightmare stories with her. She decided that she didn't want to go from one crappy job to another and is now happily working in a field totally unrelated to either finance or law. There's my 2 cents.

what's the average salary for tellers/

I don't know - I only considered the banking industry as something to get into part time while I go to school to plan for a career change. I'm a former legal secretary, and I hated that. In Sacto area, tellers pay abot $10-$12/hr. I'm told credit unions pay more - I heard as high as $15. Total pay cut from what I was doing before, but it's worth it if you don't hate your job like I did. I worked in LA and OC before moving up here.

Hello,

If anyone is looking for work in the Chicago area and has mortgage and Customer service call center experience I would be interested in talking to you.

I am a very straight forward recruiter and treat people with respect. I understand the frustration you are going through when you don’t have adequate work.

I have several other higher level positions available so please forward your resume in a word doc and tell me a little about yourself and what you are looking for.

Email me at hr.infosts@gmail.com the best to all

THE SOLUTION in Huntington Beach, California said: HMMM, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT ONE REASON NONE OF YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANY POSITION ANYWHERE IS THE FACT YOU CANNOT EVEN DO ONE SIMPLE LITTLE THING...ANSWER THE FRIGGIN QUESTION!

FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED....
POSITION: BANKING LOAN CONSULTANT
WAMU OFFEREDED ME A BASE SALARY OF $14.42/HR.($30K/YR) PLUS COMMISSION AND INCENTIVES THAT CAN ADD $3-10K PER MONTH. THEY ALSO INCLUDED A VIG (VOLUME INCENTIVE GUARANTEE) OF $1,500/MONTH FOR THE FIRST 7 PAY PERIODS OR 3.5 MONTHS.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS AND STANDARD BENEFITS INCLUDED AS WELL. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE PACKAGE IS MIN. $55K WITH AVERAGE EXPECTED CLOSE TO 100K YEAR.

To Solution,

What exactly is VIG and how does it work? I just got an offer to work as a consultant with the standard 30k base pay. Didn't know that extra money could be asked/given. May I ask how you were able to receive additional income? Thx!

MARYANA in Brooklyn, New York said: HEY DIANE THANK YOU SO MUCH I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF YOU NEED MY RESUME I CAN EMAIL IT TO YOU....IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MERLIKH@YAHOO.COM

Hi, Maryana. Did you get the job this way?

diane in Seattle, Washington said: Hey Maryana,
I heard from the branch Manager George. He said he is hiring for Tellers right now. He asked me to have you come see him at the Fc . Please bring your resume and he will have you fill out a application. He has to forward it to Human resource . He seemed nice so go see him and we will see what happens. He said for you to put my name down I think the application asks if you know anyone who works at WAMU. Good Luck!

Hello, Diane. You seem like a very nice person helping people this way. I am wondering if Maryana get this job. I will appreciate if you can help me too. Thank you.

I hear big cuts are coming next week in WaMu's Wholesale Division....What kind of deals do they normally offer people they are letting go?

How did you hear about the layoffs? They annouced them to day. The norm is 1 1/2 weeks for every year. If you work at Wamu check out the site when you do a search on the home page . Type in severence pay.

Question is to The Soulution in Huntington Beach. Thanks for answering the question by the way. When you say close to 100k, are you saying that all together a BLC should be making 100k total for the year on average? And, do you feel that this would be a good place for loan officer coming from a broker? Anyone can feel free to answer this as well.

I don't work in the FC but from What the branches say it is really tuff right now for anyone to get a loan . We are not very competitive at the moment . Incentives have changed . Payouts are different. Alot of loans consultants have been let go as they are closing and doing away with alot of these postions.

Is there any positive aspects of working with WaMu? I worked for Wells Fargo for the past 3 yrs and enjoyed it, it also had its up and downs as do any sales positions. I quit WFB when I moved down to AZ because the management was VERY questionable and in my opinion unethical. I am moving back up to WA in the Tacoma area and WFB isn't hiring for a Personal Banker Position in the area I will be... I just applied online to WaMu and found this after I submitted my application... I hope that it is not as bad as I have read...

Thanks!

I work in a back office in Chatsworth. WE have transfered alot of jobs to India, Costa Rica and the Philiphines, People have been really sad to see our Jobs going to other countries. The last year has been really bad . We were not sure if we were still going to have a job or not. They are moving alot of postions to Texas. We were told in Jan that for the time being we are going to have a job beacause now they are going to have dual sites for our jobs. I don't really buy it as the bank is really hurting for money and we lease the buildings we are in. I think they will get rid of us as soon as every thing transfers over and they are trained. Oh yea buy the way we donot have enough in the budget to train them in person so we will do it OVER THE PHONE!!! I use to really love my job but they have taken away alot of perks we had. They have taken away the gift of stock at 5,10,15,20 years. WE donot have a Cafe to eat at. The activity store is gonebut we can by discount tickets in the building next door or online . It is really a sad place now. I donot know how it is in the FC's . I think it is a little different beacuse of the housing market so they are really trying to have the reps Cross sell. I think in the Fc it also depends on your manager and you co workers they can make or brake you. Also I think tehy need to train the reps more in the FC's I really believe they don't and I do beleive our customers pay the price and to me that is wrong.I have been Blessed with great co workers. No comment on management. I hope this helps .