Fresno First Bank

If you have a business in the Fresno area, this is the place to bank. While they don’t have the hours, services and locations of the big banks for the average consumer, what they do have is real bankers. When we have a question or need a new service or loan, we get to meet directly with the decision maker, not just order takers. Before we moved out acccounts to Fresno First, all of our contacts at our prior bank were outside the area and changed constantly, meaning nobody really knew us or our business. When I walk in, they know me by name. Keep up the great work!

I do not have any money in the bank, but know someone that works at the bank. She talks about customers and has given out personal information.

I decided to move several of my accounts from a larger bank chain to a small local bank. After researching several banks in the area I chose to go to this bank. What a mistake that was. Here is part of the letter I sent to the bank manager upon closing of my accounts.
I wanted to bring to your attention some things that I ran into when opening my accounts at your bank. First, before choosing to open accounts at your bank I had done research at several local bands as to the best fit for my needs.
I came into your bank to get information about the services that you offer to your clients. I sat down with one of your account managers the name of which I do not remember at this time. She informed me of everything that your bank could offer me. I liked everything that she told me. One of my major concerns with a local bank was the hours since I am not able to come to the branch to do deposits and I prefer not to use the drop box. So one of my questions to her was «do you offer remote check deposit» and how much is the cost (in order to compare to other local banks). Her answer surprised me. She informed me that they do offer remote check deposit and that they were offering it free to their clients upon approval. I remember this very clearly because I asked several times if there was a cost for this service. She informed me several times that there was no cost and there were no plans at this time to start charging for this service.
I was very happy to hear that this was the policy at this bank. I was so impressed that your bank would offer such great customer service in a world of companies that don’t seem to know the meaning of service. So I left and went home to evaluate my options. It was a hard decision because I have 6 accounts that I would be opening or switching from my old bank and if I chose poorly it would prove to be a lot of wasted time.
I chose to do business at your bank. I gathered up all the paperwork that I needed to open several of the accounts; I needed two of my business accounts and a personal as well at that time. I came into the bank and asked to speak to the account manager that I spoke with the first time; she wasn’t available so I sat down with a different one to open my accounts. The process went fine and she was very pleasant. At the end of this time I informed her that I needed to get set up for remote check capture. She said ok and that I will need to bring in some account statements and started to explain the fees involve with this service.
I was taken aback by this statement of the fees involved for the remote capture since I was informed several days earlier that this service was offered free of charge. This person informed me that there was indeed a charge and it was never free. Keep in mind I would have probably still opened the accounts even if there was a fee for this service. I stated my disappointment and handed her my statements for approval. The next day I got a call stating that I was not approved for the remote capture feature. I was somewhat surprised at this because my accounts were all in good standing with my prior bank. Apparently this service is only for accounts that have very large balances throughout the year. I don’t keep large balances in that account. I own and run several businesses and was very disappointed at this apparent flaw in your customer service plan. Maybe you have never been taught the lifetime value of a client. Or maybe they don’t teach bank managers that people that are treated extraordinarily well will tell everyone else that they know how wonderful the service is at their bank. I will just have to trust that you must not have been taught these things in school. Or maybe the bank really isn’t what they say they are in their radio adds.
If that wasn’t enough I got a call a day or two later after I had expressed my disappointment to my account manager. The person informed me that there are costs associated with this service that the bank has to pay; they just can’t give them away. I have been in business for over 20 years did she think that I was unaware of the fact that things have a cost? Then she informed me that she had decided to go ahead and approve me for this service at no charge. She was also going to send me a statement each month showing me the cost that they were paying for this service that she was so kind to be giving to me. First of all I don’t need it for free; your bank said it was free. Second it’s not good customer service to condescend a client. I don’t care what fees you get charged. That is a cost of doing business. That is the cost to make a cheerleader out of a client. Plus I was willing to go from 6 free accounts at my current bank to 6 pay accounts with your back in order to have great customer service. Maybe I should send you a statement of the costs I have to incur in order to do business at your bank

I decided to open a savings account since it’s across town from me (I live downtown), which makes me less tempted and it more difficult to withdraw money. I come in about once a month and have had nothing but amazing customer service.
I’d highly suggest taking your money out of the big banks and placing it in a local bank like Fresno First whose staff are respectful, friendly, and trustworthy.