CA Small business bank recommendation

[Deckin Around]

I am setting up a new company and I am looking for recommendations for a smaller bank that might provide actual customer service when needed. I also want the business credit cards at the same bank. This account will probably see around 1mil in cash flow this year.

For my other business, all of our accounts are at Bank of America and we have a “wealth manager” assigned who is very responsive to all of our needs, no issues. I just don’t want multiple companies using the same bank, its just easier to keep them separate.

For mainly customer service issues, I don’t want to deal with Chase and the accounts I am setting up at a new bank will transfer from Wells for the same reason. The business support at wells is a joke.

I was going to check out FMB Farmers and merchants bank but I figured I’d ask here first.

Thanks

 

[NicPaus]

I would ask @ChumpChange . He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Banking.

 

[evantwheeler]

I am setting up a new company and I am looking for recommendations for a smaller bank that might provide actual customer service when needed. I also want the business credit cards at the same bank. This account will probably see around 1mil in cash flow this year.

For my other business, all of our accounts are at Bank of America and we have a “wealth manager” assigned who is very responsive to all of our needs, no issues. I just don’t want multiple companies using the same bank, its just easier to keep them separate.

For mainly customer service issues, I don’t want to deal with Chase and the accounts I am setting up at a new bank will transfer from Wells for the same reason. The business support at wells is a joke.

I was going to check out FMB Farmers and merchants bank but I figured I’d ask here first.

Thanks

@DLC ?

 

[J DUNN]

I'm with FMB and just took two more of my businesses over to FMB. They provide terrific service in my opinion.

 

[zhandfull]

Might see if you have a Banner bank branch nearby. No longer have a business account. But they still remember my name when I walk in a couple times a year.

 

[JFMFG]

What city?

 

[ChumpChange]

Honestly it all depends on who you get when you walk in. I have some good friends at F&M that are solid at what they do but no people who don’t do well. Not only would I look for a good bank but a banker. They’re awesome till you need a deal without any dirt as collateral. And I know the head of the C&I division.

If you are able to leverage your wealth manager then I would go down that route. Stay at BofA. Online systems should be able to prevent any mishaps or things where you have an issue with different businesses at one bank.

Even good bankers at bad banks are better than bad bankers at good banks.

All depends on what you want out of this new business relationship.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Solid 15 year relationship with Chase bank here plus they process my credit cards

 

[WYRD]

Citizens business bank is another good one that specializes in small businesses

 

[ChumpChange]

Banking story. One that kind of got me in trouble back in the day since US Bank didn’t like us working with loan brokers.

Guy is in Norcal and walks into USB to try and get a commercial real estate loan. Takes a few weeks and ultimately the loan officer he was referred to declined him.

So he got connected with the loan broker who was a previous associate of mine at USB. He sends me the package, I review it in a different light than the guy who throws spaghetti at the wall, make the story, put the mitigating factors together, and get it approved.

Unfortunately for the borrower, he has a signed broker agreement to pay the loan broker 1% of the loan amount. So when I sent him the letter of approval, he takes it into that local USB branch and he yells at the guy who declined him that because of his stupidity, it’s now costing him 1% more than had he known what he was doing.

Of course now the employee is angry because he’s an idiot and lost out on the incentive due to his lack of knowledge, so he then calls senior management to say how this is a customer that he should be working with since he is local to them.

So it’s not always the bank, it’s who you get at the bank.

 

[ChumpChange]

Citizens business bank is another good one that specializes in small businesses

Out in your area if you are dealing with Jason the Center Manager then he is a solid solid banker. Went to banking school with him.

 

[lbhsbz]

I tried to get my business set up through FMB, but after multiple attempts and no response, I just went though B of A where my personal accts are held. They've been good. I have a local person who seems to be able to answer questions and solve problems that come up, and I have their desk/personal phone number. While I'd love to complain about B of A, I really can't in this case....they've been OK

 

[Deckin Around]

What city?

Irvine

 

[Cobalt232]

We have been very happy with Farmers & Merchants for almost 15 years.

 

[whiteworks]

wherever you go I think it’s super important to go into your branch and do transactions with the tellers, poke your nose into the branch managers office and build personal relationships. So many people just do online shit then expect the seas to part for them when a situation arises that need extra attention.

Every teller in my branch knows my name, my wife’s name, my daughters activitys etc… the branch manager knows me aswell and we talk shit about all kinds of stuff. Personal relationships go the distance, but you need to invest yourself in them.

 

[angiebaby]

Community Commerce Bank in Claremont. I know several people who work there who are boaters and off-roaders. They specialize in business banking and have three branches in the greater Los Angeles area. None close to Irvine, though.

 

[Done-it-again]

Had Union bank then it was taken over by US Bank. Due yourself a favor and don’t bother checking them out.

 

[boatpi]

Our relationship with Wells Fargo from the beginning of our company 4 1/2 years ago has always been perfect bankers do switch from office now and then, but other than that we’ve done except in the well and never had an issue.

We also do a fair amount of wires, and some overseas never a glitch.

 

[FCT]

Chino commercial has been great. A very personal banking relationship.

 

[pixrthis]

We use US Bank for our business and they’ve been great for thirteen years.

 

[ChumpChange]

Had Union bank then it was taken over by US Bank. Due yourself a favor and don’t bother checking them out.

Yeah that hasn’t been an easy transition. Easy pickings out there for this one.

My brother is a branch manager at US Bank in your area if you need to contact though. Not sure if he’s allowed to cross those lines just yet though. Might only be able to take and handle transactions.

 

[ChumpChange]

Community Commerce Bank in Claremont. I know several people who work there who are boaters and off-roaders. They specialize in business banking and have three branches in the greater Los Angeles area. None close to Irvine, though.

And also on this forum. Funny story when I was flying up to University of Washington for my last year in banking school, I ended up being on the same plane with Mike as it was his first year going. Had the RDP shirt on as I was walking down the aisle.

 

[Done-it-again]

Yeah that hasn’t been an easy transition. Easy pickings out there for this one.

My brother is a branch manager at US Bank in your area if you need to contact though. Not sure if he’s allowed to cross those lines just yet though. Might only be able to take and handle transactions.

It's been somewhat a mess, just got NEW "Business Banking Relationship Manager" contacted by email....... lol

 

[ChumpChange]

It's been somewhat a mess, just got NEW "Business Banking Relationship Manager" contacted by email....... lol

His manager would be my old manager who’s still there. And his manager I trained while working for his mom as my regional manager who I then left to start up a bank with her exhusband.

Banking is very incestuous. lol

 

[nameisbond]

Might see if you have a Banner bank branch nearby. No longer have a business account. But they still remember my name when I walk in a couple times a year.

I was going to say Banner. My corporate accounts are with them. We did use U.S. Bank for awhile. But we sold some land and deposited the money. For some reason they flagged it as fraud and closed the account without warning. Banner is great. Only reason we opened at US Bank was for more locations nationwide.

 

[DLC]

@Deckin Around

sent you a PM

 

[angiebaby]

And also on this forum. Funny story when I was flying up to University of Washington for my last year in banking school, I ended up being on the same plane with Mike as it was his first year going. Had the RDP shirt on as I was walking down the aisle.

He likes to keep things on the downlow, so I didn't know if he would have wanted me to share that. But now it's on you So yes, also a member of this board.

 

[joecfd1]

Citizens business bank is another good one that specializes in small businesses

X2 on Citizens Business Bank. My father (rip) was a founder at Huntington Bank in Arcadia which sold to Chino Valley Bank and then to Citizens Business Bank. I banked with them for 30+ years. They are a great "small" bank.

 

[rivrrts429]

I have my business account with Chase and my personal with BofA. Chase has been pretty good but I’m not moving millions $$ in and out regularly either.

 

[OCMerrill]

Our relationship with Wells Fargo from the beginning of our company 4 1/2 years ago has always been perfect bankers do switch from office now and then, but other than that we’ve done except in the well and never had an issue.

We also do a fair amount of wires, and some overseas never a glitch.

I've been with wells fargo 25 years. They have played a few games here and there and yes the staff is hit or miss and/or move around alot.

I am changing business structure at the end of the year and have already met with FMB. The closest branch is not around the corner that's for sure.
I will likely keep all the personal stuff at Wells Fargo.

Seems they are all the same and building a Relationship with someone at a bank seems plausible with FMB and not so much with Wells Fargo.

 

[Done-it-again]

I’m ready to jump ship from US bank. Tired of them pulling my Canadian check payments out 3weeks to 6month later for stop payment by their international department and saying it’s someone else’s fault.

It’s a problem when they are project based payments and out goes 80-200k out of your account with no warning.

 

[manxman]

I was with Union for 25 plus years and knew the manager well. She jumped ship and moved to California Bank and Trust. Have been with them for the last 15 years and have had excellent service and great loan rates when needed. They are owned by Zion Bank. I also keep accounts at San Diego County Credit union, Unify Credit Union, Americas first Credit union, Navy Fed, and DCU (Digital Fed). I like having options if I need to borrow. I find the credit unions always seem to have the best rates, but not all of them have walk in branches near me, so the main is CB&T. I would definitely spread it out a bit and give yourself options.

 

[ChumpChange]

It’s all about the banker and direct support staff, especially in commercial and corporate banking.

I’ve worked at good banks and worked at bad banks. I’ve seen bad bankers work at good banks and give them a bad name and I’ve seen good bankers work at bad banks and give them a good name.

When a good banker finds a good bank, it’s a great thing.

I’ve changed institutions a few times and when I do, it’s not about them interviewing me, it’s about me interviewing them and the ability to service my customers. Sometimes we changed institutions as an entire team.

 

[Your ad here]

Farmers & Merchants can have their moments that are very frustrating. The tellers and customer service does suck in not trying to find a solution to a stupid policy of theirs. Get a good relationship with the branch manager is all I can say. Thinking about it, for over 30 years my family has only talked with the managers for the business and personal accounts.