What is an Account Executive at Huntington?

An Account Executive at Huntington serves as a vital link between the bank’s sophisticated financial products and the business community. In this role, you are not merely a salesperson; you are a strategic consultant responsible for managing high-value relationships and driving revenue growth through the acquisition of new business clients and the expansion of existing portfolios. Huntington relies on Account Executives to represent the "Welcome" brand, ensuring that every client interaction reflects the bank's commitment to service and regional economic development.

The impact of this position is significant, as you will directly influence the bank’s market share in key regions such as Columbus, Manchester, and beyond. You will navigate complex financial landscapes, offering solutions that range from commercial lending and treasury management to specialized business services. By understanding the unique pain points of business owners and corporate leaders, you provide the capital and tools necessary for their growth, which in turn strengthens the communities Huntington serves.

This role is particularly compelling due to the balance of autonomy and collaboration. While you are responsible for your own pipeline and targets, you will frequently partner with internal teams, including credit underwriters, product specialists, and senior leadership. Success at Huntington requires a blend of financial acumen, resilient prospecting, and the ability to build long-term trust in a competitive banking environment.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of questions that test your sales methodology and your ability to represent the Huntington brand.

Sales Strategy & Performance

These questions test your ability to drive revenue and manage a territory.

• What is your current quota, and what percentage of it did you achieve in the last fiscal year?
• Describe your most successful "cold" outreach strategy.
• How do you handle a situation where your product is more expensive than a competitor's?
• Walk me through your typical sales cycle from lead generation to closing.
• How do you use data and CRM analytics to improve your sales performance?

Behavioral & Situational

These questions evaluate your soft skills and cultural fit.

• Tell me about a time you failed to close a deal you were certain of. What did you learn?
• Give an example of a time you had to manage a client’s unrealistic expectations.
• Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a team member who had a very different working style.
• Why Huntington? What specifically about our "Welcome" culture resonates with your sales approach?
• How do you stay motivated during a long sales slump or a period of high rejection?

Financial & Technical Knowledge

These questions assess your understanding of the banking industry and product suite.

• What are the three most important things you look for when reviewing a company's balance sheet?
• How would you explain the benefits of treasury management to a business owner who currently does everything manually?
• What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing business owners in the current economic climate?
• Describe your experience working with credit teams to structure complex loans.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Account Executive interview at Huntington should be multifaceted, focusing on your historical sales performance and your ability to navigate a structured corporate environment. Interviewers look for candidates who can demonstrate a "hunter" mentality while maintaining the high ethical standards required in the banking industry.

Sales Acumen and Pipeline Management – This is the core of the role. You must be prepared to discuss your methodology for lead generation, qualifying prospects, and closing complex deals. Interviewers evaluate your ability to manage a high-volume pipeline and your persistence in moving stagnant deals forward.

Financial and Product Knowledge – You will be assessed on your understanding of banking products and how they solve specific business problems. Demonstrate your ability to translate technical financial features into tangible benefits for the client. Strength in this area is shown by linking product solutions to a client's bottom line or operational efficiency.

Relationship Management and Influence – At Huntington, how you win is as important as what you win. Candidates must show they can build rapport with diverse stakeholders, from small business owners to C-suite executives. You will be evaluated on your communication style, emotional intelligence, and ability to mobilize internal resources to support a client's needs.

Resilience and Adaptability – The banking sector is subject to market fluctuations and rigorous regulatory requirements. Interviewers look for evidence of how you handle rejection, overcome internal hurdles (such as credit denials), and adapt to changing organizational priorities.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for an Account Executive at Huntington is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring alignment between your sales capabilities and the bank's culture. While the experience can vary depending on the seniority of the role and the specific department, you should expect a blend of behavioral assessments, technical discussions, and practical demonstrations of your sales skills. The process typically moves from initial screening toward high-level strategic conversations with senior leadership.

In recent years, the process has become more rigorous. While some candidates report a streamlined three-stage process, others—particularly for senior or specialized segments—may face up to five rounds of interviews. These later stages often involve deep dives with Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) and cross-functional managers. This structure is intended to test your stamina and your ability to maintain a consistent narrative across multiple high-pressure interactions.

The timeline above illustrates the typical progression from the initial recruiter touchpoint to the final executive review. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, focusing on high-level "why Huntington" stories in early rounds and shifting toward granular sales strategies and work assignments in the middle and final stages.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Sales Strategy & Execution

This area focuses on your ability to generate results in a competitive territory. Huntington wants to see a repeatable process that leads to over-performance against quotas.

Be ready to go over:

• Prospecting Techniques – How you identify and break into new accounts within a specific geographic or industry vertical.
• Discovery Process – The specific questions you ask to uncover a business's financial needs and pain points.
• Closing Tactics – Your approach to handling objections and securing commitment in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through a time you turned a 'no' from a high-value prospect into a closed deal."
• "How do you prioritize your time when managing a portfolio of 50+ active prospects?"
• "Describe your process for researching a new territory and identifying your top ten targets."

Behavioral & Cultural Alignment

Huntington emphasizes a collaborative and professional culture. They look for "people people" who can represent the bank with integrity and work effectively across internal silos.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements with internal partners, such as credit or risk departments.
• Client Advocacy – Times when you went above and beyond to solve a client's problem.
• Team Collaboration – How you leverage team leads and product specialists to win larger deals.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a client regarding a loan or product application."
• "Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult internal stakeholder to get a deal across the finish line."
• "How do you ensure your sales practices always align with regulatory and ethical standards?"

Work Assignments & Presentations

For many Account Executive roles, you will be asked to complete a work assignment or a mock sales presentation. This is the most critical part of the evaluation for assessing your actual performance on the job.

Be ready to go over:

• Case Study Analysis – Reviewing a hypothetical business profile and recommending a suite of Huntington products.
• Pitch Delivery – Presenting a solution to a panel of interviewers acting as prospective clients.
• Data Interpretation – Using market data to justify a specific sales strategy or territory plan.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Deep dive into treasury management workflows.
• Understanding of specific industry verticals (e.g., healthcare, manufacturing, or real estate).
• Knowledge of SBA lending and government-guaranteed loan programs.

Key Responsibilities

As an Account Executive, your primary responsibility is the acquisition of new commercial or business banking relationships. You will spend a significant portion of your time "in the field," meeting with prospective clients, attending networking events, and positioning Huntington as the bank of choice. This requires a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to manage your own schedule effectively to maximize face-time with decision-makers.

Once a prospect is engaged, you take the lead in structuring the relationship. This involves working closely with Credit Officers and Underwriters to ensure that the proposed financial solutions meet the bank's risk appetite while satisfying the client's needs. You are the project manager for the deal, coordinating the collection of financial documents, overseeing the due diligence process, and ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for the new client.

Beyond initial acquisition, you are responsible for the ongoing health and growth of your portfolio. This includes:

• Conducting annual reviews and identifying opportunities for cross-selling additional products like merchant services, payroll, or insurance.
• Monitoring the financial performance of your clients to proactively manage risk.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for any high-level service issues, ensuring that the Huntington "Welcome" experience is maintained throughout the life of the relationship.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful Account Executive at Huntington typically brings a combination of sales grit and financial literacy. While specific requirements vary by segment, the following are generally expected:

• Must-have skills – Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales quotas in a B2B environment; strong understanding of commercial credit and financial statements; proficiency with CRM tools (such as Salesforce); and exceptional public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience level – Generally, 3–7 years of experience in financial services sales or business development is required. For senior roles, a background in a specific industry vertical or a deep local network in cities like Columbus or Chicago is highly valued.
• Soft skills – High emotional intelligence, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and a strong sense of personal accountability. You must be able to work independently while remaining a "team player" who supports the broader goals of the branch or region.
• Nice-to-have skills – An MBA or specialized financial certifications (e.g., CTP or credit training programs); existing relationships with local centers of influence (COIs) such as CPAs and attorneys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the Account Executive interview at Huntington? The difficulty is generally rated as average, but the rigor increases significantly during the final stages. The challenge lies not in "trick" questions, but in the depth of detail required when discussing your sales process and the effort needed for work assignments.

Q: What differentiates a successful candidate at Huntington? Successful candidates demonstrate a balance of high-energy sales drive and a "consultative" mindset. Huntington values individuals who look for long-term relationship value rather than quick, transactional wins.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first interview to an offer? The process can range from three weeks to two months. Factors include the number of stakeholders involved and the completion of background checks and work assignments. Communication from recruiters can sometimes be slow during the final decision phase, so proactive follow-up is encouraged.

Q: Is there a specific "Huntington style" of selling? Yes, it is centered on the "Welcome" philosophy. This means being accessible, transparent, and community-focused. You should avoid overly aggressive or high-pressure sales tactics in favor of a value-based, advisory approach.

Other General Tips

• Research Local Markets: Be prepared to discuss specific economic trends in the region you are applying for (e.g., the growth of the tech sector in Columbus).
• Master Your Numbers: Have your sales metrics (quota attainment, average deal size, conversion rates) memorized and ready to cite.
• Follow-up Protocol: Send personalized thank-you notes to every interviewer within 24 hours. Given the feedback on communication, a polite follow-up email to your recruiter a week after your final interview is appropriate.
• Prepare Your COIs: Be ready to discuss which Centers of Influence (lawyers, accountants) you would bring into your network to help generate leads.

Summary & Next Steps

The Account Executive role at Huntington is a high-impact position that offers the opportunity to drive significant business growth while supported by a well-respected regional brand. The bank’s emphasis on a "Welcome" culture creates a unique environment where relationship-building is prioritized alongside revenue targets. By preparing for a rigorous, multi-stage process that tests both your sales grit and your financial expertise, you can position yourself as a top-tier candidate.

To succeed, focus your preparation on articulating a clear, repeatable sales methodology and demonstrating how you align with Huntington's values. Be ready for the possibility of a demanding final round involving senior executives and detailed assignments. Focused preparation in these areas will not only improve your performance but also give you the confidence to navigate the complexities of the banking interview process.

The salary data reflects the competitive nature of the Account Executive role at Huntington. Compensation typically consists of a solid base salary complemented by a robust commission or incentive structure based on portfolio growth and new business acquisition. When evaluating an offer, consider the total compensation package, including the bank's benefits and the long-term potential for career advancement within the organization. You can explore further insights and real-time data on Dataford to refine your expectations.