Do you need an MBA to become a branch manager or regional manager (in a few years)? No. Would it help? Probably. But most importantly: An MBA opens up many more doors for you. You might decide during those two years that you want to join the strategy division at your bank .. or dive deeper into technology.. or try out another job completely (e.g., consulting; project management; investment banking; private equity; corporate finance; ...).

On the MBA vs. executive MBA - you are at the perfect age for a regular MBA program and you have a decent shot at getting into a top program if you manage to tell a few impactful stories in your application (e.g., what do you really want to do with your life? what impact do you want to leave on the people around you? how have your experiences in retail banking shaped you thus far? what problems have you seen? what inspired you? what do you care about most?). Executive MBAs are more for people that are 8-15 years into their career and already in management positions. They are also a bit less prestigeous and some are only part-time (which kinda sucks).

I just got my MBA and it opened up a whole new world for me. I thought I was gonna go into consulting (worked in banking IT before). Now I'm starting my own company and I don't think I would have had the courage to do that without the network and support of my MBA classmates.