Chase Bank

I’ve been with Chase since they took over Washington Mutual, which took over my previous bank. I prefer Chase over Wells Fargo and (ick) Bank of America and the most evil and awful bank of them all: US Bank.
I still need to go inside a branch once in a while, and I’ll go to whichever branch is most convenient. I have always found Chase friendly and fast. Nice atmosphere with little to no anxiety inducing incidents for me.
I visited this particular location on Friday because it’s closest to my business. I needed to cash a check and get some specific denominations — something you can’t do from an ATM as we all know.
Very weird little bank, very oddly laid out — not at all like the typical open space that one usually sees in a bank. There was one teller working, and there were only 2 other customers in the bank as far as I could see, and they were ahead of me in line. A manager (?) was talking to the customer in front of me, and he loudly greeted me when I stepped in line. Okay — fine. I realize that the fake customer service protocol forces him to loudly greet me, but that’s all he should have done. I am a grown adult person who has been banking for more decades than this manager has likely been alive.
He proceeds to shout, «Can I help you with something?». Really? I say back, «not unless you can cash my check — how much cash do you have on you.» Now keep in mind, we were not standing close to each other — we were both kind of shouting. Ick. I was developing anxiety.
Instead of dropping it, the man says, «well, how much do you need — you know that you can go to our ATM and get up to $ 3000 back!». Now he is trying to get me to discuss my cash needs?
I told said, «Listen Sonny — I have been going to banks for many, many years — I’m quite old you know. I think I know when I have to come into a bank and see a teller.» Ggggrrrhhhhh.
He opened and closed his mouth and finally slunk away.
Another teller promptly opened up another line and helped me quickly and accurately. She was super friendly — like all of my other previous Chase experiences.
Bottom line: I understand that you have to greet people, but after that, please, go away. Adults will ask for your help if they need it, believe me. And trying to get us all to only use the ATM for transactions, well, I’m sure that the day is coming when banks won’t have to employ humans anymore, but until that day is here — step back and let me get my banking done as I see fit
Thank you.

I received a coupon in the mail and with interest rates what they are decided to open an account with Chase. After looking at the reviews of the branches here in Santa Monica, I chose this branch. I’m so thankful I did! I was greeted warmly and introduced to Kurt who helped me with my new account and downloading with Mobil App, explaining all of the paperwork. At one point when I was with a teller he went to help an older woman who was struggling with the ATM machine and I observed him being so kind and patient. I was very impressed with this branch and with Kurt.
Parking is free around the back.

Out of all the Chase branches that are present in Santa Monica, this one sticks out for their outstanding customer service and genuinely nice staff. I have been here multiple times and right when I enter the door, someone is there to greet me and to ask me what I need help with. Everyone there is so accommodating. The branch itself is beautiful and the staff will even offer you water or lollipops. They help you with whatever you need quickly and efficiently and are very kind. I have a chase branch closer to my house, but I prefer coming to this one for their outstanding service!

This is one of the stranger banks that I’ve been to because there are no tellers! Or no human ones, that is. Where you would expect to find a line of smiling faces waiting to take your money, there are instead three glorified ATMs with really massive screens. However, I’ve never been able to find out what they can do because immediately upon walking in you are warmly greeted by a human who takes care of everything. The process seems pretty inefficient because to make the deposit or get cash (s)he has to disappear for a minute or two to go to the back. I think it would be a disaster on a busy day, but every time I’ve been there I was the only customer.
The space itself is nice, but feels a little enclosed because the windows are all partially blocked by the private offices. There are a couple comfortable couches while you wait for them to run your transaction and they have free water and coffee.
Minus a star for serving the drinks in styrofoam cups. They don’t decompose! Don’t you care about our planet?!?