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Local Bank Switch
updated: Jan 03, 2013, 1:49 PM

With Santa Barbara Bank and Trust changing to Union Bank, what community bank is best to switch to? And, is it a pain to switch banks?

Places People Are Talking About:

American Riviera Bank	Bank of the West	Business First Bank
Keypoint Credit Union	Northern Trust

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 359754	2013-01-03 01:57 PM
USAA.
COMMENT 359755	2013-01-03 01:58 PM
Well if you have internet banking set up as detailed as I do, and you have checks printed, and you have direct deposit, and you have Paypal and other online accounts tied into your checking account, then yes, it is quite a pain switching banks. So why do it? Who says Union bank will be worse? When Mid-State got bought by Rabobank I didn't jump ship, and service actually got better. Rabobank doesn't charge a service fee when accounts go below a threshold, like Mid-State did. I'd hold fast with Union for a while and see how things shake out. If the service gets any worse, you can always leave then.
COMMENT 359759	2013-01-03 02:06 PM
Montecito Bank and Trust. Fair number of locations from Thousand Oaks to Goleta, private bank, and the rest I don't know. No fee checking. Easy as it can get. Open account at MBT first, transfer all monies into new accounts, close old account. Confirm closures in writing with (old) bank. Down the road motors.
COMMENT 359761	2013-01-03 02:08 PM
Community West Bank has been excellent for us.
COMMENT 359765	2013-01-03 02:12 PM
Banks for the most part are evil entities. You should join a credit union instead.
COMMENT 359769	2013-01-03 02:15 PM
I love Community West Bank. I left Chase a few months ago. Community West, as do many banks, has a Switch Kit that makes the transition easier. They don't have a branch on every corner, but their customer service is fantastic and they re-imburse ATM fees.
COMMENT 359772	2013-01-03 02:18 PM
Bank of Santa Barbara- no ATM fees.
COMMENT 359776	2013-01-03 02:37 PM
We're slowly moving our Union/SBBT money to Kinecta Credit Union. Been a member with them since the early 80s when it was part of Hughes. Great deals on auto loans over the years.
COMMENT 359777	2013-01-03 02:37 PM
Im gonna stick it out and see how Union Bank is...
COMMENT 359786	2013-01-03 03:01 PM
Another vote for Kinecta. I used to change banks every couple of years after getting fed up with or screwed over by them [cough]wellsfargo[cough], but I have been with Kinecta for 10 years now and they have been nothing but awesome.
COMMENT 359794P	2013-01-03 03:19 PM
I've been happy with Wells Fargo for nearly 46 years.
COMMENT 359803	2013-01-03 03:29 PM
Montecito Bank and Trust... I was with SBBT for over 21 years, the first 16 were amazing!!! All downhill from then! The latest bad taste in my mouth was yesterday when dealing with a business check, for the business I work for, the clerk offered NO help at all in solving my issue, just did not even try... I will be talking to my employer about switching over to MBT. Since I have switched to MBT, I am greeted like I used to be, when I walk into the branch, a warm hello and how can we help! Thanks Robert and the rest of the crew at the Coast Village branch!!!
COMMENT 359811	2013-01-03 03:47 PM
Mattress Savings & Warmth. Where your money is always safe so you can get a good nites sleep! Interest rates are the same as the big banks too!
COMMENT 359836	2013-01-03 04:29 PM
My first question would be why do you feel you need to switch? While Union is larger than SBBT it is nowhere near B of A or Wells. I was tempted at first to pull my money in the name of community banks but I spoke to a branch employee and then did some research. Turns out Union is a great community bank with a history of exceptional customer service and community support. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt at this point. Something that made me pause was when the employee asked me to think about the financial downturn of 2008 and then asked if I ever heard Union Bank mentioned as a troubled bank. Truth be told I did not but I did hear about many local community banks and credit unions.
LIZBETH	2013-01-03 04:48 PM
I was an original investor in Bank of SB, and they are fine, I've been most happy tho with First Republic Bank. Maybe not community, but the friendliest, most helpful people in a very not-bank-like environment - give them a look.
COMMENT 359864	2013-01-03 05:15 PM
Northern Trust
COMMENT 359867P	2013-01-03 05:17 PM
My family is moving our accounts to KeyPoint. The checking account is free with direct deposit.
COMMENT 359884P	2013-01-03 06:10 PM
At my credit union I earn interest on my checking account and no fees if I use SBBT ATM's. Not sure if Union Bank will offer us the same courtesy, hmmm, I better find out!
COMMENT 359894	2013-01-03 06:30 PM
Keypoint Credit Union is great.
COMMENT 359916	2013-01-03 07:44 PM
UNION BANK stole from our economy by laying off hundreds of local people.
REXOFSB	2013-01-03 08:21 PM
Bank of the West is great.
COMMENT 359933P	2013-01-03 08:35 PM
SBTeachers federal credit union...great!
SB1976	2013-01-03 08:42 PM
Try Business First (corner of State and Fig). I was with Montecito Bankd and Trust for 10 plus years on a business account, never fell below balance standards, never defaulted, and then asked for a small business loan. They said no. I was appalled - doesn't 10 years of good history count? They did not care (although they started greeting my by name for the first time when I informed them I was switching banks). So much for "community" banking. I talked to Business First, who said yes; I transferred all business accounts there, and have been happy as a clam ever since.
COMMENT 359950P	2013-01-03 09:46 PM
I love Montecito Bank & Trust. They've been great and we've been with them for decades. Before that I had terrible problems with Bank of America & other locals. Well-Fargo is horrible. The wait is unbelievable and even if they know you, recognize you, you still have to pull out the IDs and wait for yet another person to approve you cashing a check. Takes FOREVER to deal with Wells. Highly recommend Montecito.
FRESHPAVEMENT	2013-01-04 06:18 AM
Business First Bank is great. We moved all our business & personal accounts there several years ago and they're wonderful to work with, very responsive to all requests & personable.
QUEENDI	2013-01-04 07:30 AM
Have always been treated like a Queen at Montecito Bank & Trust. Also SB Federal Teachers Credit Union. They really have the personal touch.
COMMENT 359990	2013-01-04 08:18 AM
I am so glad I bank at Montecito Bank and Trust, they are friendly and talk to you and really go out of their way for you. Plus it's a solid bank and not going away.
KATYDID	2013-01-04 08:22 AM
We switched from SBBT to American Riviera several months ago and have been very pleased. The only pain was switching all the direct payments, but that wasn't even too bad, just took awhile. Suggest you open your new account and let each of direct payments go through it once before closing the old account. It can take a couple of months.
COMMENT 360005	2013-01-04 08:40 AM
If you can't get into a local credit union, the next best bet is Montecito Bank and Trust. I highly recommend them. Great service in the local branches, and Michael and Anne Towbes have done so much for our community so it always feels good to support them too.
COMMENT 360012	2013-01-04 08:49 AM
Do you have to be a teacher to get into the SB Teacher's Credit Union? What about other credit unions in town? I'm curious...
COMMENT 360016	2013-01-04 09:01 AM
We are very happy with American Riviera Bank.
COMMENT 360022P	2013-01-04 09:25 AM
I would like to know what places, besides SBBT/Union have safe deposit boxes in Santa Barbara. Also, someone asked about joining SB Teacher's Credit Union. What credit unions in SB are open for the general public--we're not county or city or state employees, not teacher, just retired folks.
HDB	2013-01-04 10:26 AM
American Riviera Bank is the best! I switched from Wells Fargo a little over a year ago and I couldn't be happier. Great online banking interface, and in person--they are so great! Lots of personal attention, people remember you and there is never a wait for a teller. They also refund you ATM fees up to $12 a month for using other banks' machines. They are on the corner of Anacapa and Figueroa.
COMMENT 360059	2013-01-04 10:54 AM
montecito bank and trust downtown branch! they are angels!
COMMENT 360063	2013-01-04 11:01 AM
My 2012 Resolution was to get out of my bank and into a credit union. I pay bills online so thought it would be a long process, but actually it was quite easy. I chose Keypoint CU even though I live in Carp. No ATM fees anywhere you go. Anyone who lives in SB county is eligible.
COMMENT 360098	2013-01-04 12:16 PM
Try getting your $ out of Montecito B&T...I have an IRA there that I want to move and they have done their best to drag their feet and play dumb. Wouldn't ever use them for personal banking again!
COMMENT 390333	2013-03-27 05:02 PM
Just signed up at MBT after 20 years at SBBT. Wow, I didn't think the online banking could be worse than SBBT, but it is at MBT. You can't even transfer money in/out to other banks using ACH via online. Really outdated system. Although it took us over an hour to setup our accounts in the branch, we may just keep them unfunded based on how horrible the online system is.