Bank of the West

Call their business banker about couple question never called me back. interesting the way they do business.

I normally like this branch as I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. It can be slow and lines inside really long but there’s something to coming to a bank that knows whom you are by name/​face.
I would give a higher rating but it’s hit or miss and this really stuffy old moldy wood smell assaults your senses immediately as you walk in. Wish they could address that as it sets my asthma off every time.

My five stars are for Eman. She is awesome. Great customer service

I opened a new bank account with them a month ago and for some reason they still don’t clear my check right away always making me wait 3 to 4 days and when I signed up for direct deposit I note my money never shows up I call for Customer Service and no one can help I made a mistake joining this bank my suggestion for anyone that’s going to bank you is don’t.

They might be okay for consumer banking, but they are definitely not recommended for business accounts. Our company opened an account with Bank of the West last November. We should have been leery when they did not understand what an LLC was and how to open an account for one, but the person helping us was nice and we decided to work with her.
Two days later, the person who helped us open an account called to let us know that she was leaving BoW for a better job with a bigger bank that dealt more with businesses. This should have served as a warning too.
Unfortunately, I failed to heed the warnings. Last week, we went to open an account for another business. We were attending a meeting in San Jose and we were not going to make it back to the San Leandro branch to open our account that day, so we decided to go to a local branch in San Jose. That was a BIG mistake. The branch manager there was very upset that we were opening the account in her branch instead of the branch where we already had an account. We tried to explain that we thought once we did business with a bank that we assumed that we could work with any branch. She wasn’t having any of it. So, we left.
Now this is where I have to accept some of the blame. Instead of closing our accounts and taking our business to a bank who understands business, I went back to our branch in San Leandro and we opened another account. Then I really messed up and called a district manager to complain about the treatment we received at the branch in San Jose. This was on Friday. The person I spoke with was polite and helpful. Although she couldn’t comment on the incident because she had not spoken with the branch manager in question, she did listen.
On Monday morning, I received a call informing me that all of our accounts were being closed. When I asked why, I the person on the phone refused to tell me, and she kept repeating that the bank can close any account, at any time they wish, and that they do not have to disclose the reason.
If you’re a business owner, please do not repeat my mistakes. Do NOT open an account with Bank of the West. They do not care about your business.

i was on my way to the bank this morning to cash my check… the sign says that they open at 9 but im here at 1030 and no one is here. there is a line of people outside wondering what is going on! now i have to drive out of my way to a diff location to cash my check. BANK OF THE WEST SUCKS! they always give me problems. and by the way CASTRO VALLEY location is absolutely HORRIBLE! the customer service is so bad and they are so rude. sanleandro has better customer service but when no one is here to open up the bank it doesnt help…

I recently switched from Chase to Bank of the West. While this location (never been to any others) is pretty dark compared to Chase, it feels a lot more personal and friendly. Chase always seemed so barren and «give me your money» like. I feel like the people here aren’t robots.
Oh, and they literally zip through my transactions at least twice as fast as Chase. No complaints here, yet.