Do you like your business bank?

[AmeliaG]

I'm looking for a new business bank with branches in California. Anybody here use a bank they actually like?

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by AmeliaG

I'm looking for a new business bank with branches in California. Anybody here use a bank they actually like?

Im lucky the bank I use here is one that Ive used since I was a 14 year old kid. I would try and find a bank and establish a relationship with them. The indy ones Ive found are a lot more flexible with much better personal service.

And thats not to say they havent fucked up my account numerous times over the years. I think the difference is that the person that I opend my account retired as a bank VP which gave her some clout in the later years.

They know that I am an online consultant and that is it. Over they years I have moved a lot of money thru there. I learned quickly that I have 2 business accounts and one personal.

In this day and age I think Im going to establish a savings account with one of the credit unions whos rules are a litttle more flexible and where I have a back up of cash flow.

Id be very careful in getting into the details of what you do with a bank. Tell them your a journalist or something like that if they press details.

I know youve lived here at one point in your life and you can understand that playing things down is a much better policy than being right in their face.

[Hell Puppy]

In today's climate it is near impossible to have that type of old home town relationship with your bank.

Both my personal and business accounts have changed hands at least a half dozen times since I've had 'em. I've never intentionally moved either. Buy outs are just nature of the business.

It's worse now, many of those home town banks that didn't want to sell have been forced to by bad loan making decisions.

[TheEnforcer]

It's always a trade off. Big banks have nice perks like super fast clearing of checks and what not but are also far more likely to fuck you over when something bad happens. On the other hand smaller regional and/or local banks are much more likely to give you better care and service but don't have as many convenient things like ATM's most anywhere you travel and checks take 3-5 business days to clear if they are out of state.

[tripleX]

check google search to find a better bank and a bank that already has a long life in the banking industry

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

In today's climate it is near impossible to have that type of old home town relationship with your bank.

.

I've got it, and glad to have it. They have never refused a loan or lease, and the one time I had an accounting error that was going to overdraw my account, they called first. They promptly put overdraft protection on my account, and it's been there ever since. Fortunately, I've never had to use it, but it's comforting to know it's there. They know what we do, and they don't have a problem with it.
That's saying something for my area.
And I know the bank people by name, and many of them recognize my voice on the phone.

sadly, there is only about 8 branches to the bank, so I can't help you in California.