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Bank
updated: Nov 30, 2010, 8:30 AM

I am looking to switch from a large national bank to a local bank with better customer service. What bank would you recommend?

Places People Are Talking About:

American Riviera Bank	Bank of America	Bank of Santa Barbara
Bank of the West	Business First	California Credit Union
Chase	Citibank	Coast Hills
Community West Bank	County Savings Bank	Golden 1 Credit Union
Keypoint	Kinecta	Montecito Bank and Trust
Pacific Western	Rabobank	SB Bank & Trust
SB Teachers FCU	USAA	Wells Fargo

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 124660	2010-11-30 08:43 AM
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
COMMENT 124661	2010-11-30 08:45 AM
montecito bank and trust
COMMENT 124663P	2010-11-30 08:49 AM
montecito bank and trust
COMMENT 124664	2010-11-30 08:51 AM
while not a locally owned bank, rabobank has extremely high financial ratings. their personnel are very helpful and friendly. i've been banking at mid-state/rabobank for over 20 years, which i think also adds to the positive experience. contrary to the old adage, when it comes to customer service, "familiarity (does not) breed contempt."
COMMENT 124666	2010-11-30 08:55 AM
I've heard good things about Montecito B and T, had years of horrible experiences w/ SBBT, and have had fabulous service from Citibank.
EDHAT ONLINE	2010-11-30 08:55 AM
If you are looking for a local bank, you should look for a bank that supports local businesses that you frequent. The only local bank that supports Edhat is American Riviera Bank.
COMMENT 124669	2010-11-30 08:55 AM
American Riviera Bank. If you walk in and there is one person at the teller window, they jump up to open a new window. Super friendly, truly a local's bank!
COMMENT 124670	2010-11-30 08:55 AM
SB Bank & Trust - we have multiple accounts with them & have been happy customers for 12 years.
COMMENT 124677	2010-11-30 09:05 AM
We're happy with Rabobank on Milpas. SB Bank & Trust on Coast Village Rd very friendly. Bank of America on Upper State THE WORST
STARGIRL	2010-11-30 09:17 AM
Montecito Bank & Trust
SBJULES	2010-11-30 09:25 AM
I like Santa Barbara Bank & Trust; I've banked with them for years. Montecito Bank & Trust & Rabobank get props from some of my clients.
COMMENT 124687	2010-11-30 09:30 AM
Business First was recommended to me by a couple of people and I have to say I'm very impressed. They're in the old downtown Tom's Toy World building.
COMMENT 124691	2010-11-30 09:33 AM
Montecito Bank and Trust. Pick a LOCAL branch and get to know them. Even though I don't live there, I use the Carpinteria branch and over the years they've been invaluable.
COMMENT 124695	2010-11-30 09:37 AM
Exchange a good percentage of your worthless cotton and paper money for something of worth such as silver or some other commodity, and stash it in a quality home safe. Oh, and buy a gun while you are at it.
COMMENT 124697	2010-11-30 09:38 AM
Not SBBT.
COMMENT 124700	2010-11-30 09:43 AM
USAA
COMMENT 124702	2010-11-30 09:46 AM
I don't have information for you but want to let you know I appreciate your question, we will be moving soon and we'll need to open an account near our new home so I'll be using some of the advice you get. And thanks Edhatters!
COMMENT 124704	2010-11-30 09:48 AM
Montecito Bank and Trust is about as local-friendly as a cobra! I am sick of paying nit-picking high user fees, as Michael Towbes gives millions in profits away to charity, profits made off MY dime and employees salaries. Go elsewhere!
COMMENT 124710	2010-11-30 09:57 AM
Due to where I work I needed something with branches a bit more wide spread than SB or Montecito banks. We went with Bank of the West because of their JD Power awards for customer service and we've been very pleased so far. However if you don't need branches outside of SB, we have many happy friends at Montecito.
COMMENT 124723	2010-11-30 10:27 AM
I'm with Montecito Bank & Trust. Switched to them 2 years ago & have no regrets. I may be wrong, but the millions just donated from MBT to local charities consisted of profits that would have been sent to tax collectors if not given to charities.
COMMENT 124725	2010-11-30 10:31 AM
Consider a Credit Union, much lower fees and superior service. My Credit Union checking account pays interest! OK, not much in this economy, but it sure beats paying fees. They also have ATM free agreements all over the country.
COMMENT 124727	2010-11-30 10:36 AM
I actually like Chase a lot...they feel like a small bank. SBB&T do a lot for the community.
COMMENT 124732	2010-11-30 10:54 AM
Bank of the West has been great, while not local, they are always super friendly and it is nice having multiple branches available outside one area. (I have been with them for 15+ years)
COMMENT 124734	2010-11-30 10:56 AM
I switched from BofA to Montecito Bank last year and LOVE Montecito. The only thing I don't love is their on-line banking. BofA's and Chase's on-line services kick butt over Montecito's. But, every time I walk into Montecito, I am greeted and made to feel like a valued customer. I like that.
COMMENT 124735	2010-11-30 11:00 AM
Been banking at Montecito for over 20 years. Never once felt the need to go elsewhere.
COMMENT 124738	2010-11-30 11:08 AM
I've often wondered what people even do in banks anymore... With ATMs, Direct Deposit, Online Banking, there really isn't much to do in there unless you are a merchant or need a loan officer to help you make decisions...
PATRICK	2010-11-30 11:27 AM
I use an out of town credit union and deposit checks at a local Co-op atm. I pay many bills and transfer money between accounts online via the CU's web site. I haven't walked into a bank in at least 15 years and I like it that way.
COMMENT 124747	2010-11-30 11:35 AM
Not The Bank Of Montecito. Try the Credit Union. We like it
COMMENT 124749	2010-11-30 11:47 AM
Having a poker game? Try to get a few rolls of dimes and quarters from the ATM.
COMMENT 124762	2010-11-30 12:44 PM
I work for SBBT I know we go Above & Beyond for our customer's~! I have been here 6 years and LOVE it! Good Luck Picking! :)
COMMENT 124766P	2010-11-30 01:13 PM
SBBT does NOT go above and beyond for its clients. Here is a story for you.. My grandmother passed away and the only assets she had were a home valued around $550,000 ( this was several years ago) and a SBBT was hired as the executor by a rotten attorney who was written up in a 30 year old will.. ( my Nana had babysat his children). My mother and Aunt asked the bank to step down and hand over the executor position to them as them were more than capable of handling the probate and were in agreement of a split. The Bank said no, and when asked why, we were told "because we don't have to". They wanted their money from a tiny estate and did a very bad thing. It was so sad. I immediately closed my account and will never do business with them. I have my account with Michael Towbes at Montecito Bank and Trust.
SANROQUEONE	2010-11-30 01:14 PM
Through various small businesses I have had accounts at Rabobank, Business First and SBBT. If I have a choice, I will always go with SBBT. Their customer service is amazing and it's sincere. Business First is good too but quite small. We have had our personal accounts with SBBT for nearly 20 years and will never go anywhere else.
COMMENT 124771	2010-11-30 01:27 PM
I agree on going for a credit union. I recommend Kinecta (formerly Hughes Federal Credit Union). Friendly staff typically no lines and no atm charges at tons of co-op atms if you can't make it to their two Goleta ATMs.
COMMENT 124782	2010-11-30 01:47 PM
Chase is the devil ....
COMMENT 124803P	2010-11-30 03:05 PM
I would have recommended Los Padres but they just turned into Pacific Western. The staff at the Goleta office is still just as friendly and amazing as before, but I think this new bank is more business focused than individual account focused. A shame since Los Padres was the best bank we ever used. Hands down.
COMMENT 124808P	2010-11-30 03:20 PM
Montecito Bank and Trust as a local bank. California Credit Union as a credit union. Go local, and/or go with a credit union. Forget the big name banks.
COMMENT 124809	2010-11-30 03:21 PM
I hate Chase... We're stuck with them because they bought our mortgage from a local bank. They work fine until something goes wrong and then getting things corrected is a nightmare. Same with BofA, which is why we dumped them, but we're stuck with Chase.
COMMENT 124810	2010-11-30 03:21 PM
Wow, nobody has mentioned Community West Bank. It is a hidden gem in a sea of quasi-local banks and big banks with community "initiatives." They truly care about their customers (they know me by name), and they're involved in the community. Great bank!
COMMENT 124811	2010-11-30 03:22 PM
Montecito Bank and Trust is great. Have had a personal account there for 30 years and a business for 20. They are a tad on the conservative side when lending, but the customer service has always been great
SBBOOKWORM	2010-11-30 04:02 PM
SBBT. Have been with them for over 20 years. They were very helpful to me during the aftermath of the Tea Fire. Especially the Montecito Branch on East Valley Road.
COMMENT 124831	2010-11-30 04:22 PM
Isn't Santa Barbara Bank and Trust in financial trouble? It was profiled in a national magazine for marketing high interest payday loans to poor people. That is bad enough behavior for me to go somewhere else.
COMMENT 124836	2010-11-30 04:25 PM
Don't be fooled by Santa Barbara Bank & Trust! They just got bailed out by a Texas billionaire, and now their stock is trading at 22 cents. What's their slogan? "Proceed with Confidence." Yeah right!
COMMENT 124839	2010-11-30 04:36 PM
I've done business with several banks in town - big and small. I have never had a good experience with SBB&T. They have proven to be more difficult than anyone in town. Of course, while being difficult, they are spending tons reminding us they are wonderful. All one has to do is look at the way they have run the bank to get a real picture of how they operate. They were within months of being taken over by the Feds and if you get the chance, talk to some of the the folks that worked for them about what happened to their benefits. This bank just had a half billion poured into it by Gerald Ford from Texas. The deal was contingent on the bank short paying their bondholders. If you like this kind of "local" action, maybe they are your bank. It comes down to the kind of kind of services you need, and expectations. Operationally, banks are pretty similar but they differ greatly when it comes to loans, financing receivables, etc.
COMMENT 124846	2010-11-30 05:13 PM
We used SBBT for years and opened account for all of our children there. We live in north SB county and our daughter was off to college down there. On one of her first Fridays down there she went to use her atm card and it wouldn't go through. Tried again with no luck. Finally went into the bank and was told that they canceled her card and she would have to come back on Monday to get it taken care of. So I called on Monday and was told that the card was cancelled because we had made too many transfers that month. We were never told that there was a limit on the transfers. So, here was our daughter, away from home and no way to get money for the week. Do you think they could have called us and warned us that this was going to happen? Nope, they could have cared less. They made her switch from a savings account to a checking account, which she did not want.
COMMENT 124853P	2010-11-30 05:45 PM
I just don't understand how a bank can have a million dollars to give away. Where did that "extra" money in earnings come from? And if most bankers and their wealthy clients are Republicans, wouldn't they consider donating to "charities" socialism? Someone here suggested this huge donation is made in lieu of paying income taxes, which theoretically benefit all of us. We individuals can't write off donations dollar-for-dollar. Wonder if they're able to write it off 100% for "advertising." I remember years ago when the County Savings Bank CEO (Wm Levy, I believe) was paid a salary of million dollars a year. If he worked at this job 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, he made $480 per hour. He had so many pots on the fire, I wonder what his actual hourly salary was.
COMMENT 124864P	2010-11-30 06:06 PM
When we bought our house, we used Montecito B&T because my wife was a teacher and we were to get a rebate. We were naive and didn't shop around. Later, I looked at the paperwork and we had been subject to many bogus fees that dwarfed the "rebate". It was obvious they were looking out for themselves, not their customers. I don't trust them. They got one loan from us, but lost us for life as customers.
COMMENT 124890	2010-11-30 08:12 PM
American Riviera Bank. I've had bad experiences over the years with SBBT and they've recently imposed a bunch of new fees on their accounts. They don't seem to hire the sharpest, either. ARB excels in personal service, as far as I can tell.
BECKY	2010-11-30 08:29 PM
I've used only local banks or credit unions for years. They change over time, and different branches and personnel provide varying levels of customer service. I'm currently quite happy with the service from Community West Bank (formerly Goleta National) for our business bank, with SBBT for some business and some personal use, and with Kinecta Credit Union for personal use. Pick one (or two or three) near you, and visit and busy and unbusy times, and see how you like their customer interaction. Meet with the local branch manager or new account rep and tell them you are shopping around and ask them to make the case why you should chose them. The good ones will have ready answers.
COMMENT 124916	2010-12-01 06:42 AM
Just switched to the bank of Santa Barbara and am very happy!
FRESHPAVEMENT	2010-12-01 07:24 AM
Check out Business First. We've had our personal & company accounts with them for over 8 years and they are by far the best. When we first moved here we gave all our business to SBB&T, only to be treated by them like a total stranger. So we moved to Montecito B & T. They were good at first, but then - same thing, treated us like strangers, poor customer service.
COMMENT 124928	2010-12-01 07:31 AM
Kinecta Credit Union is HIGHLY recommended if you don't mind that the only "local" branches are in Goleta, Canoga Park, and El Segundo. While they lack some of the services that a medium to large business would want, they are great for a personal account and even do international banking services pretty well. I have had minimal experience with Keypoint Credit union but that experience was all very positive
COMMENT 124930P	2010-12-01 07:37 AM
Definitely recommending American Riviera Bank. Everyone there is top-notch for service and friendliness. No history with bad housing loans or questionable personal loans. Jeff DeVine, the president, used to be with some other banks in town, and really understands the value of personal relationships. Only having one branch, they've made some good accommodation for using other ATMs, etc.
COMMENT 124933	2010-12-01 07:56 AM
I agree with 124930P. American Riviera Bank is the absolute best bank I've been to in my 40 years in town.
COMMENT 124942	2010-12-01 08:17 AM
Community West Bank 1501 State Street Very personal banking.
COMMENT 124950	2010-12-01 08:29 AM
We've been very happy with Golden 1 Credit Union. Excellent customer service, very good advice about products and services. While limited in locations, if you use any ATM associated specifically with any credit unions, you don't pay any bank fees.
COMMENT 124952P	2010-12-01 08:34 AM
Community West Bank. I also have been with them for a long time. Friendly, courteous service. They also have an office in Goleta on Hollister and branches in Ventura and Santa Maria. They know me by name. Have had accounts at both SBBT and Montecito Bank and Trust and have endured many account mistakes at both those banks.
COMMENT 124960	2010-12-01 09:09 AM
SBB&T has been my bank since the '70's and I have never had a problem. I love the Solvang branch. The people there are very courteous and extremely helpful.
COMMENT 124961	2010-12-01 09:10 AM
I used Golden 1 Credit Union for years when I lived in Sacramento, and I would recommend them highly. Always friendly, never "surprise" charges, and their Visa card pays you cash every year. Credit unions are the way to go!
COMMENT 124963	2010-12-01 09:11 AM
Michael Towbes and Montecito Bank and Trust do a lot for this community in donations and grants. Why would anyone "bad mouth" them for that! Try them and see how you like them.
COMMENT 124969	2010-12-01 09:36 AM
montecito bank and trust
COMMENT 124970	2010-12-01 09:38 AM
Montecito Bank & Trust - customer service is #1
COMMENT 124983	2010-12-01 10:04 AM
Rabo and Business First
COMMENT 124987	2010-12-01 10:09 AM
We need a large bank - I see Rabobank mentioned - what other LARGE banks would readers recommend? We've been struggling with BofA for years... ugh.
REDTOP	2010-12-01 10:14 AM
We've been with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust for twelve years and would highly recommend it. Great people work there.
COMMENT 124992P	2010-12-01 10:23 AM
Rabobank soaks customers with fees and restrictions. Read or listen to the fine print. Customer service at any financial institution is variable, it depends on branch managers and local personnel, which rotate regularly. I bank with Coast Hills (formerly Vandenburg Federal CU) which participates in a coop with other CU's for no-fee ATMS. I use Rabo only because hubby had electronic bill pay set up with them. They are not my favorite bank. They once depeosited my paycheck into my husband's account,(despite the deposit slip and on-check notation of MY account number) and I bounced checks from here to Paso Robles. They were not helpful in finding the error. Nor did they apologize. They only paid my return check fees when I threatened to take them to small claims. They did write a letter at my insistence to the check holders explaining it was not my fault, but they never said it was their error. This was In Mid State days. Rabobank is a Dutch corporation which was founded by large agriculturists in the Netherlands. They have moved into California because of the agriculture presence. They are into loaning big $ to Ag.
COMMENT 124996	2010-12-01 10:26 AM
SBBT is a non-local bank with a local name.
COMMENT 124999	2010-12-01 10:32 AM
SBB&T stopped sending overdraft notices in the mail last year without any prior notification to their customers. They didn't even mention it to me at the counter. I do not do online banking and didn't know anything was out of order for quite some time. Normally I would have run right in that day and taken care of the overdraft. Instead I ended up really pissed off.that they didn't tell me.
HAROLDM	2010-12-01 10:40 AM
I agree on credit unions over banks--they are member owned and thus more responsive. I have accounts at both Keypoint and Golden One in Goleta, and both have excellent conditions and service.
COMMENT 125011	2010-12-01 10:48 AM
Community West Bank. Friendly, professional people. Got my SBA loan done quickly. And they do alot in the community....Really good bank.
COMMENT 125028P	2010-12-01 11:37 AM
I love Montecito Bank and Trusts Carpinteria office. They are very friendly and professional. SBB&T is fine if your accounts qualify for FDIC insurance.
COMMENT 125046	2010-12-01 12:32 PM
Been with SBB&T for over 15 years and have liked the service I have gotten. When we needed to aggregate our funds for our home down payment the manager was very helpful at speeding up hold times, something WaMu (now Chase) was very bad at. However now that SBB&T is owned by some guy from Texas, on top of the $195 Million bailout they got from TARP, I'm eying moving elsewhere. The front runner now is Montecito Bank and Trust. They did not get sucked into the banking mess and didn't take any TARP money. I'd consider American Riviera but I'd like a few more locations. Ideally a local bank should have branches, or at least their own ATM's, in downtown, upper state, Goleta, and Carp.
COMMENT 125098	2010-12-01 03:14 PM
I went to one of Community West Bank's document shredding events (free service to the community). People were nice, no hard sell. I opened a checking account that offers 3% interest. It's my favorite bank, by far.
COMMENT 125144	2010-12-01 07:15 PM
I switched from SBBT to Montecito Bank & Trust this summer after having nothing but problems and headaches from SBBT. I have been very happy with Montecito Bank & Trust - they are great to work with, are super friendly and helpful. I am so glad I made the switch!
COMMENT 125155	2010-12-01 08:12 PM
Used to be Montecito Bank & Trust would be my first choice, but after banking there since it opened, it has really gone down-hill fast over the last few years. Even the new ATM is below standard. If I'm depositing more than one check, they want ME to calculate the total amount, but have neglected to install a calculator or pen at the ATM. And, the image of the deposited checks is NOT legible.... I don't really like B of A, but their ATM is really good.
SPARKEY	2010-12-01 08:32 PM
I have had an acct with SB Teachers FCU for my whole life. I know them well and like everyone there. Their Visa had a really low interest rate. The online banking and visa websites are simple and easy to use. I currently have an auto loan with Keypoint. I make my payments in person and like the atmosphere there. If I ever open another bank account it will be with them.
COMMENT 125490	2010-12-03 08:43 AM
Bank of America on Upper State THE WORST. Daughter was 50cent over when left for summer. In that time they wiped out 100 DOLLAR PLUS IN CHARGES, which I stupidly paid and asked the guy to explain banking better to my daughter, his customer. He berated he for not reading the small print. Terrible experience. Only later did I think-WOW we were robbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for Q- will try Rabobank
AQUAHOLIC	2010-12-04 11:37 AM
Why all the hate for BofA? They have weathered the recent and ongoing financial meltdowns pretty well...a case of bigger is better? Who cares if you are known by name at a bank....I do 99% of my personal banking online or from the ATM machine, which are everywhere, even in Albertsons! Very convenient. The upper State branch has gone positively nutty lately with customer service and friendliness. (I did have to venture "inside" recently for my safe deposit box.)
COMMENT 125950	2010-12-06 08:37 AM
When you choose, choose not only on the basis of recommendations about customer service, but also based on your own research into the financial condition and standing of the bank you've chosen. Credit unions, small local banks and large, national and regional banks alike are all dealing with a variety of complex credit issues which are changing constantly. Have to submit in multiple parts -- this is part one; more to follow.
COMMENT 126015	2010-12-06 10:36 AM
But all said, a bank is a bank is a bank -- it exists to make money. It does so by offering enough customer service to keep existing customers happy and attract new customers away from other banks that are not doing so as well. Expecting anything more is setting myself up for disappointment at the very least. At present, we are trying to conclude a refinance of our mortgage with B of A, who holds the original mortgage on our house because it took over Countrywide Financial and it's been a horrific, hairpuller of a process. I expected it wouldn't be fun and I'd never, never, never deposit my money there.
COMMENT 126028	2010-12-06 11:18 AM
Credit unions are fine but they have their limitations, including whether you can qualify to "belong" as well as hours of access and other requirements that banks don't have. And they are only as strong as their financial reports say they are -- just because they are credit unions doesn't mean that they can't fail. Take responsibility for knowing what you are doing before you do it! Good luck!
COMMENT 134326	2011-01-07 10:26 AM
Wells Fargo never had to ask for bail-out funds. Neither did Bank of the West. Love Bank of the West downtown --never any lines and the staff gets to know you. BofW and Wells have branches all over so very easy to travel and get money.