It has been just a couple months I opened my checking/savings account at BOW and I plan to close it next month for good. Since opening my account, I have encountered several bad experiences with BOW. First of all, the ATM machine, which there is only one at their Pico Rivera, Ca location I bank at is serviced between 4-4:30 pm every day. This is an awkward time to have this machine serviced because I get off of work around that time. Twice, I had attempted to withdraw money but instead I had to go into the bank to do business. The bank also does not issue withdrawal slips like most banks do. The teller told me I had to bring a blank check to withdraw my money and if I didn’t have one she would have to charge me .50 cents for her to print out a blank check for me. How sneaky BOW is. Not only that, the teller was extremely rude and unprofessional. Whenever I would question the fee or the ATM machine being serviced she would respond condescendingly like if I was at her mercy. I got the impression that the teller was not trained properly. This was not the only time that a teller was rude to me at this dreadful bank. I eventually filed a grievance with the customer service Manager and Branch manager but they were no better in their customer service skills. That was the deciding factor to close my account after I brought it to their attention my dissatisfaction with BOW and the treatment I was receiving and they were too quick to defend the tellers has if my complaints was being fabricated or it wasn’t taken seriously. I have never had a bad experience with any bank in such a short amount of time like BOW. By closing my account, I feel vindicated. I shouldn’t have to argue with anyone where I keep my money.

I have my vehicle leased threw Bank of the West and trust me I will NEVER lease nor deal with this company ever again. They don't care about their customers . I have moved from Georgia to Alabama and I have been trying to get a Tag for my vehicle since Aug. 17, 2009. They have lied over and over about sending the necessary paper work to the license commission and as of today Sept. 30 it still have not been done. I have documented every person I have talked to since Aug. 17th , time and exactly what they said and still nothing but lies. I have even asked to speak to managers and that hasn't even happened yet. Go figure you would think they would treat their customers with respect but no thats not the fact they could care less. So my recommendation to you is to stay clear of this company.

Hope I have helped you,
Kim

Bank of the West is the worst! Opening an account there was a BIG mistake on my part; I guess I was just lured by the $100 they offer for new accounts. Everybody I've ever dealt with, both in person, and over the phone has been very condescending, rude, and completely impossible. I imagine their employees in creepy brainwashing seminars where they are told to never relent and to get as much money as possible. Their overdraft fees are absolutely awful, and they charge you before the transaction even goes through. I have never ever had problems with overdraft fees with Bank of America, but with Bank of the West, I found myself charged $105 dollars in accumulated fees for three very small transactions ($.88, $1.03, and $.67). Their online banking is also completely unreliable.

The biggest problem I had with this bank, though occurred after I closed my accounts. I found out from my place of employment that my direct deposit cancellation paperwork didn't go through soon enough, and my EPT was sent to BOW. I went to the bank to get to my money, and they told me (EXTREMELY RUDELY) they had no money of mine, and that the EPT was "kicked back" to my work. After a week with no money, I called BOW customer service. It turns out they did have my money; it had been deposited into a checking account with my name with a $10 dollar "service charge" for reopening the account. I was never notified in any way of this. I went to the bank, ready for battle, and the teller, very reluctantly gave me my money, with no apology whatsoever. I demanded that the $10 dollar charge be removed, and she said something like "Well I can't really do that right now, I have to submit a form, but if you REALLY want that tenn dollars back..."

Our family has a long history of banking with Bank of the West, dating back to my Grandfather when it was still called First National Bank here in Santa Clara Valley. We have always prided ourselves as being a hard working - well known ranching family.
I am third generation and now own many properties as my dad's partner.

Since I make a good income, I also have to give a lot back to Uncle Sam in taxes. My first and 2nd estimated tax installments literally wiped my savings account clean. I wanted to get some money to put back in as a cushion and/or until I can start building back up again.

In April of 2009 (after much encouragement from a couple of the tellers who I am also friends with) I decided to apply for a refinance on my 1st mortgage that I have with another lender.

I provided all of the information they would possibly need as well as put my CPA in touch with them to verify my income and assets.
My credit score is EXCELLENT and I have a long history of always being on time with my payments. My credit history for the past 8 years is literally flawless. I do owe on credit cards, but if they look at my payment history they will see that I make big payments each month and/or pay it off each time. My income exceeds 30K per month (gross) and I would have no problem making my payments.

After several weeks of being given the run-around and not having my calls returned, I decided to go to my local branch and see what was happening with my loan. As much as they hated to do so, they broke the news to me that my loan was denied.
I was in shock to say the least and so were they. They told me that the Bank isn't personal like it used to be. I am just a number now and the underwriters who approve the loans just go by the book with everyone and don't take a look at each individual's situation.

I have decided whether than to go back to them and fight it, that I am going to now pull my longstanding accounts from Bank of the West and move them to another local bank who is glad to loan me the money to refinance and pull out some cash as a cushion.

Bank of the west is definitely NOT the bank I used to know.
I understand that with the economic meltdown they are going to be more parnoid when lending money, however this is ridiculous!
I am so disappointed in Bank of the West and plan to never set foot in another one of their banks again.

Sincerely,

Shirley B.
San Jose, CA.

DON'T TRUST BANK OF THE WEST

Some time ago we went to Bank of the West to refinance our existing mortgage; it took them 3 months to tell us they couldn't do it. We paid $350 for the appraisal and we were told at the beginning that if not approved we would get a refund, NOT TRUE. mistake. With another bank we were able to refinance in 2 weeks and the appraisal fee was only $200. Bank of the West, don't trust them!!!

See the true story:
http://bankofthewest.angelfire.com/

By far the worst bank for customer service, there main goal is the dollar not you!

I called Bank of the West Friday December 19th disputing two overdraft changes. After being hung-up on several times, I escalated the issue to Jack Devereaux the EVP over Colorado. He not only was completely rude but ends the call by telling me he would credit the $66 dollars but also cancel my account and hung-up on me. That evening my debit cards were canceled, my account was canceled and I lost online visibility to my balance and was unable to reconcile. I went to the bank to withdraw my money and they were completely vindictive in attitude letting me know I made the wrong VP mad and refused to give me my money. After I called the sheriffs department they finally allowed me to withdraw some of my money. This bank is run by vindictive executives and consumers do not have to tolerate it.

I would not recommend this bank to anyone. They will charge you substantial NSF fees and if your account is stolen it is your word against them and it takes months to receive your money back. They are very difficult to work with.

I've had an account here before, but I transferred over to Bank of America. Bank of the West is horrible if you ask me. The website is extremely slow and unreliable when managing accounts online.

The overdraft fees are ridiculous, and I haven't found anything to avoid getting them from BofW.

Also, I've gotten very poor service from them on a number of occasions. Ranging from managers at the bank lying to me, and tellers being extremely rude.

Bank of the West is the worst bank I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with.
24 hour notice before you can pay off a loan?
Lien stamped on titles of boat,motor, and trailer, will only clear boat title...no experience pathetic......over a month has gone by, still not resolved, really P'd off