Banking Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The highest-cost type of transaction for a bank is associated with live teller interactions. This is primarily due to the operational expenses involved in maintaining a physical branch and staffing it with employees. When customers engage with a live teller, the bank incurs costs related to wages, benefits, and overhead expenses such as utilities and maintenance of the branch itself.

In contrast, other transaction types, like web-based and ATM transactions, often have lower costs associated with them. Web-based transactions, for example, leverage technology that minimizes the need for physical resources and personnel. Similarly, ATM transactions require less direct human involvement and thus carry lower operational costs. After-hours transactions may also involve less staffing and resources compared to standard branch operations.

Overall, the hands-on nature of live teller transactions represents a significant portion of a bank's operational budget, making it the most expensive type of transaction.