Bing was really helpful as my personal banker to guide me through a new card opening process, and even suggested to me another credit card that suited my needs. Always friendly and even walked with me outside to help me use my international ATM card on their ATM. Counter staff were also very nice and friendly. This will be my go-to bank for a long while! read more

Definitely give them 1 star. And that's generous. Hated the experience hated the customer service. Hated everything

I'm actually on hold as I write this review Karen at this branch said she would leave me on hold to ask 1 question to the credit card department and she completely forgot about me I've been on hold for over 20min because of 1 simple question that needs a yes or no answer... absolutely bonkers as a test I'm actually on hold with the credit card people to see if they will respond and help me before she comes back keep in mind she has a 30min head start. She ended the call 45min in. Well that's my journey thank you for following along read more

Citibank - Pictures of this absurdity - Banks & Credit Unions Near Me - La Jolla, California

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My mother passed away recently. I received a letter from Citibank about her estate. I called their 800 number and went through phone menu hell to talk to a rep. I went on their website to make an appointment, which listed this branch, its hours and bankers, and time slots to make an appointment. I chose today at 1230pm. When I arrived with my father, the teller and manager said they don't accept appointments on Saturdays. I would have to wait until the single banker is done with another customer that will take a long time. I showed them my text confirmation. I called customer service and handed the phone to the teller. The teller said they simply do first come first serve on Saturday. The branch and corporate showed no customer service and no sympathy whatsoever. I will never bank with Citibank again. read more

(Letter Dated Feb 8, 2010) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Chun, Thank you for choosing Citibank. We value your business and want to update you on some important changes to your account. Why We Are Writing To You: We are writing to you as a reminder that effective February 1, 2010, your monthly service fee and monthly per check fees are no longer waived for having direct deposit or two qualifying online bill payments. However, when you maintain $1500 in combined checking, savings, money market, and CD balances each month the monthly service and per check fees will be waived....... Sincerely, Debbie Gabor Director of Personal Banking ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Debbie (If you are reading this), So long, farewell, good bye, adios, a'vour, ciao ciao, cyonara! The only great thing I liked about Citi was that you had an ATM in every 7-Eleven, which I found convient. You also found it convient NOT to mention that the monthly checking fee is $9.50 per month, or $114 per year. That potentially amounts to 1 good night at a strip club, 2 decent dinners for two, 4 tanks of gas, 28.5 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, 57 bottles of Two Buck Chuck, or 114 McDouble Cheeseburgers. And why would I want to maintain $1500 at your pathetic 0.1% interest rate? I keep my real savings at emigrantdirect.com, ingdirect.com, and hsbcdirect.com...over 1% interest rates, no fees and no minimums. And you're very welcome for my taxpayer bailout money. And I'll be over at Chase Bank from now on. And if you need to reach me, my new number is 1-800-YOU-RMOM. Sincerely, Chun read more

Why is the service here horrible? WHYYYYY? ok, the teller service is normal- and compared to other banks I admit it's convenient to not have to fill out those silly forms with the amount of money you want to deposit. but if you make a mistake with my credit card and then lie to me about the special promotion AND i catch the lie and I come back to complain, don't try to make up excuses and shift blame-just admit your mistakes! a simple apology would have sufficed, but it angers me when you sit there making up excuses and then offer to get me extra points on my rewards WITHOUT ASKING FOR MY NAME before I leave. and yes, I did notice that you gave another customer a free water bottle because you ALSO made a mistake with his account - but offered me nothing. nice customer service there. read more

Horrible service. Took so long to open an account. No sense of urgency at all. The man was training another lady and it's been more than 1 1/2 hours now and they're not finished yet. No respect for people's time at all. We asked them an hour ago how long to go and they said they had no idea. And when we asked them again about half an hour ago, how long to go. They said not too long to go. Up to bow, half an hour has passed and they are still at it. Total lack of respect for urgent and people's tome. read more

As if Citibank didn't already have banking hours by closing at 5pm as to 6pm like BofA, chase, etc they now open at 10am instead of 9. One would think that since your opening an hour later that you would have more then one teller opening as you'd have a line of customers who have been waiting. I currently stand 4th in line with 5 customers waiting behind me. Don't waste your time with Citibank read more

I've banked with Citibank now since I moved to San Diego. I use their checking account and savings account services so pretty basic. I love that you can deposit cash into their ATM and I love that you can mobile deposit checks, but that seems to be all banks now. I will say that as a spare change collector, this branch does NOT have a change counter so you have to get paper and roll any change yourself. Coinstar is great but who wants to pay a fee for their own money? I'll also say they have typical bank hours which is difficult if you work far from a branch and they have normal "business" hours. I find myself taking advantage of their Saturday hours frequently. read more

I bank with Citibank, but no more. I recently sold a property and always liked Citibank because they provided notary services at no charge. When I went in to get some documents notarized (after getting time off work), I was told to sign-in and that an associate would be with me shortly. After half an hour went by, I decided to check back in with the manager who had suggested I sign in. I was told that the person in charge of providing notary services did not bring their "kit" into work today, and I would have to go somewhere else. No apology or accountability for apology for having wasted thirty minutes of my time, having me log in and then wait for something that they were unable to provide. When I tried to confirm whether or not Citibank offers this service as part of its "pitch" to customers, she looked disinterested and didn't reply. Meanwhile I lost my lunch hour. Add to that Citibank has cut all branch hours from 9 - 5 to 10 - 5. How does that fit with someone who works normal business hours? I went in at 10 AM to discover a line of eight people and only two tellers working. The customer in front of me tried to voice a complaint about the new hours, explaining she works and getting to the bank now requires her to take time off work. She was given a typical robotic, corporate response and in frustration finally ended up saying, "please just pass this on to the corporation- we know you can't fix it, but you can relay your customers frustrations up the chain." Banks are making as much as ever, so why can't they spend a little money and extend hours or supply enough tellers to service their customers? "Money, money, money...." read more

Echoing what Miranda K. has written, Kenny makes my day. To make a long story short and simplify things, I've been dealing with monthly service charges since I signed up for the wrong account. Every month, I call Citibank and so far, Kenny's been the one person who has been helping me deal with them. Kenny has been spectacular. He's efficient, helpful and friendly, and he looks out for his customers. Recently, he suggested that I convert my account into a student account to avoid these charges, which aren't very fun for students. I agreed to it, and all is well. (I previously didn't want to convert it due to....well, like I said, it's complicated.) Now, Kenny gets a happy customer and doesn't have to answer my monthly queries of getting refunded for these charges. Now, if Kenny worked for the DMV instead, I wouldn't need to take anxiety pills or go to anger management classes before dealing with those folks... read more

Oh no! I can't believe that this Citi bank branch has such a horrible rating! I actually cancelled my Bank of America and Chase bank accounts to devote my loyalty to Citibank, and honestly it is because of a banker named Kenny. I opened a Citibank account two years ago because it is the only bank that does international transfers for free if you have an account in that location as well(say, Hong Kong). Two years later, the tellers here know me by name and always greet me with water when I come in. Kenny pulls all the stops to make sure that I get as much thank you points as possible with my accounts(we are talking upwards 5 figures thank you points, people). Kenny would stay past 7pm on a Friday to get rid of fraud charges on my credit card. My credit score is at the top 90% percentile because of Kenny. Most of all, Kenny is honest - he tells me that Citibank has one of the worst interest rates(as with most commercial banks), and advices me to take my money elsewhere! Honestly, to the other yelpers, I feel bad that they had such a horrible experience - maybe I luck out because I ONLY talk to Kenny (I email or call the branch asking for him) whenever I have problems. I have no idea how the services are with other bankers. All I know is that I have referred all my friends and family to Kenny, and they are all really happy with my referral. So, yelpers, if you want to open a Citibank account, or just complain about your Citibank account - go to Kenny and tell them I sent you. You will be greeted with a bottle of water and a genuine smile - I guarantee it! read more

The good: I was greeted promptly and helped by one of the clerks within a few minutes. The not-so-good: the facility is old and unpleasant. The brochures for credit cards are unclear, incomplete, leave out important details. The clerk I worked with was really clueless about the credit card options and what would suite me best. Perhaps she is a new employee or something like that. The clerk was a nice person, but did not seem competent when it came to helping me with credit cards (a topic I imagine they deal with frequently). read more

The bad reviews makes it kind of scary to open an account at Citi, but judge for yourself! I've been to this branch many times and I haven't had one bad experience yet. Kenny is simply amazing! He can help you with anything you need and will do everything to get it done, including but not limited to staying over an hour after the bank closed! I didn't realize that the bank was closed so I just kept talking to him and getting what I needed done as normal. Not once did he try to push me out the door. I only found it when I was leaving and they had to unlock the door for me to leave. That's when I checked the hours and felt horrible for keeping him after hours. Definitely check this branch out and deciding for yourself! read more

I had a issue with Cititbank thankyou points vanishing from my account. Unknown to me, when a transfer occurs with thankyou points from your checking account to your Citibank credit card account those points 'EXPIRE' in 90 days from the date of the transfer. In all fairness to the La Jolla branch, I did the point transfer at the Mission Valley branch, and was told none of the fine print details. No email, no letter from Citibank what so ever to WARN me that my points where about to expire. So I found out the hard way, points vanished when I went to use them. I called the Citi Thankyou points 800 number, told them my situation, and they said they would mail me the decision if they where going to credit my account for 30,000 points. 4 weeks latter no response , never heard from them again. Talked to the Mission Valley Citibank Manager and got a lot of double talk. This is where SUPER "CINDY" at the " La Jolla branch 8813 Villa La Jolla Dr." comes in to save the day. I had originally dealt with another banking issue, and she was all over it. so I remembered her name. She's always friendly, prompt, and even gives you a phone call direct for a progress report . That's what happened again, as she got my 30,000 thankyou points credited after jumping through a few hoops. She's redeemed Citibank through my eyes. BRAVO, CINDY, thanks ( accounts dept.) 8813 Villa La Jolla Dr La Jolla ,CA branch read more

Before writing my review, I went and read all the bad ones from other customers because I was surprised to see so many. Now, here is my personal opinion both as an individual and a business owner: Let's start with overall experience with banks nowadays. First, we all know that when corporations grow out of proportion, they get to the point that they do not care about a handful unhappy customers. Citibank is definitely different! So far, they have been holding my hand along the way during every significant financial decision in my life or my company's life! The best part is their personalized approach! Although I understand that for Citibank I am just a little tiny insignificant speck, one out of a billion customers, they still manage to make me feel important! And that goes a long way! Let me break it down: 1. When I walk into this branch all associates greet me by my name!!! It feels amazing to be able to tell my friends: "Hey, no worries, I got connetions at Citibank, let me call Karen at the La Jolla branch!" or to my business vendors: "Please call my personal banker, Bing, she will answer any questions you may have". Also, Maria is one bright light among the amazing team of tellers! 2. Citibank makes you feel that you are banking with people not with a computer program! Have you ever heard at a bank: "Sorry, my system will not allow me to do this and there is nothing we can do!". Right, like I would let a freaking robot manage my money! At citibank you would hear something like this instead: "oh, the system applied an overdraft fee, let me override it and refund it back, sorry for this". 3. Willingness to walk an extra mile! I had the manager of this branch monitor my account for days (something that is not in their job description) to track down an block a certain transaction! 4. Honesty. I banked at many banks before, and all of them were dishonest. It is funny that now, 3 years after I closed my account at BofA, I still receive a court settlement check unexpectedly every now and then for a few cents that the bank has been illegally systematically withdrawing from my account without my concent for years! Well, I can say with confidence now, that Citibank is the first HONEST BANK I came across and I am planning to stay with it for good! At the end of the day, I wanted to point out something... Yes, it gets busy at times, and because they are understaffed at this branch, sometimes the wait time gets ridicolulous. But this is not this branch's fault! Big guys from corporate office probably need to look into adding a few employees here. REGARDLESS, this specific branch deserves 6 stars! Great team! read more

Don't walk - run from this bank branch. I walked in to cash an automated CITIBANK check and was told they would not cash the check even though it was a CITIBANK check. I was told they don't cash checks over 5K by the manager - a week later I tried to cash another automated CITIBANK check for 2K - again the manager would not cash their own check. You would have to be crazy to deposit a dime at this branch - worst managed bank, and I use the term bank loosely - not even sure it's legal - incompetent manager !! PS there is a Chase Bank next store...... read more

Stood in line alone for 25 minutes (I kept track on my watch), and no one acknowledged that I was even standing in line. There were 5 employees in the back chit-chatting and only one teller working. Finally, when it was my turn the employee did not even apologize for the long wait. No "sorry for the delay" or "I'll be right with you shortly." I'm usually very patient but this is very poor customer service that needs to be addressed immediately with staff. We will definitely be banking elsewhere. read more

I'm a potential customer waiting to open a checking account. Had an appointment at 12 noon (my lunch break). got there on time but the associate i was to speak with (Bing, i think) was still pre-occupied with a previous client. So i waited 25 mins. I decided to grab a lunch to go and then came back and she was still busy. 10 mins later, she finished with her clients. I then thought i'd immediately be attended to. i sat down and waited for another 10 mins (and I am the only one sitting there!). I still did not get noticed. And so i walked out and no one even noticed. What a horrible customer service. It is so disrespectful of people's time. This bank branch needs to re-evaluate how they provide service. i certainly WILL NOT bring my business here. read more

I will NEVER go back to this citibank branch... the Asian male teller always ruins my day. There's always a reason why they can't do something and they make everything more inconvenient than it should be. In January, my roommate accidentally dated her rent check 2010 out of habit and the teller would not let me deposit it, I walked out the door right up to the ATM, changed the date and had no problems depositing it there. They are ALWAYS out of check envelopes for the ATM so when they're closed, you can't do anything. Today, I tried to deposit a deposit refund check that was made out my mom and I. My mom was a co-signer on the lease so that's why her name was on the check. The teller told me I could not deposit the check even after I explained the situation and the fact that she lives in Tennessee and we are never in the same place... I am definitely switching banks ASAP. read more

Just wasted my lunch hour trying to resolve my dad's estate account, had to leave without anyone helping, will try another branch I guess. Signed in, spoke to a "banker", said only the manager could help and she would be out in a couple minutes. No problem, I thought. My dad was crazy to complain about Citi incessantly - this is going ok! 40 minutes later I had to leave - absolutely no intent to help me, manager nowhere to be seen. They seem to be very good with small clients that like to bicker in several languages about credit card terms, interest that is off by 2 pennies, and the like. Half million dollar accounts, pffft - take your business elsewhere. Which actually reminds me - the one time I set up autopay for my dad a few months ago to have them pay the water bill? They paid it, THEN pulled the money back later for no reason and didn't tell us. So there I am, on a Friday night in Walmart, paying the bill (in cash) trying to avoid having his tenants from having the water shut off Saturday money. What a horrible bank...how do they keep clients??? read more

I received a letter from Citibank stating that my account did not have any activity on it for 60 days and that if I do not have a notary public verify a letter that was signed by me or go into the Citibank that the account will be deemed inactive and be closed. I know that Citibank is not sending the same letters to customers whose accounts have been inactive for 60 days who have balances that are over 10,000 and that I only received this letter because the account had less than 1,000 which is an unfair business practice. read more

I have had a great experience every time I have come into this branch. I am always greeted when I enter and the customer service has always been amazing, at both the teller and the bankers. Happy I chose this bank. read more

Branch Manager Karen is more like an angel when it comes to customer service. Her help was a big deal when I was applying for a home loan in January of 2011. Thank you very much Karen! read more

I've gone here occasionally over the past few years. Not the best. If I knew of another Citibank branch nearby, I'd probably go there instead. Service isn't terrible, but it's a bank - service should never be terrible where you store a lot of your money. Instead I just have to be extra careful and prepared when I come. Don't come within a half hour of 5pm - they are in a rush to get you all out of there. And what happens if they do this? - My deposit is handled at a desk with a simple calculator and pen. Yes, my "receipt" was a handwritten piece of paper with numbers scribbled on. The teller's name was not given to me, so who's to say what happened to my money if something goes wrong***? (She said: "It[The deposit] will show up online") ***Something went wrong next time. Also close to 5pm, this time my teller deposited the wrong amount (less). The numbers were very simple, and I probably wouldn't have caught the mistake if it weren't so obvious. She said very casually "Oh I get so tired at this time in the day" ... wow that makes me feel really good about handing you my money. I think I'll look up another branch now. Oh yea. Maybe then don't like 20-something year olds? Do we not have enough money to be taken seriously? I've had smaller issues at this place, nothing huge, but at this point I'm tired of dealing with them. read more

I was in a hard situation financially and Cindy Cadea( The branch manager) pulled some strings and really helped me out. Would definitely recommend opening an account here as their service is very prompt and personalized which is hard to find at other banks. read more

It's a clean and open bank buuttt they are incredibly slow. Every time I come, there are people on the window chatting it up while the line moves glacially slow. read more

Citi bank in la Jolla somehow manage to find the most incompetent uncaring people to work for them. They set the bench mark for bad customer service. Awful!! read more

There seems to be only one account specialist that can help you open a new account :/ so the turnaround time is quite long and you might have to make an appointment and then come back. Parking is not an issue. read more

Very helpful and friendly staff! Excellent service. My family had mostly with Colleen to do, but have also very good experiences with all the other staff members that we dealt with so far. Relaxed and nice atmosphere at this bank. read more

Frequent long waits for account services, laborious complex process to open accounts. The worst experience was being promised by one of their special salespersons a bonus for opening a new account and then having to spend 6 months fighting with them to get the bonus credited - because the salesperson didn't seem to care and their bureaucracy was too confused to process the bonus. We would never bank here again! read more

I've only been here once, but it seems like their customer service could use a lot of work. I got what I needed completed, but will avoid this location in the future. read more

MAKE YOURSELF A FAVOR. DO NOT GO THERE!!! I really dont know why this branch is open with such a bad service. The tellers look annoyed if you ask for simple service such as breaking a $100 bill and dont even try to go there 10 or 5 minutes before closing, they will eat you with the eyes. I was citibank customer for 4 years and baking in this branch made me cancel my account. read more

SLOWEST CITI BANK I'VE EVER BEEN!! Beware of long lines and plenty of waiting. If you're ever in a hurry forget about it.

Not sure they are going to be around much longer. Their hours are short. The work force in this branch is minuscule. At most you have two tellers at a window. It just feels like it's staying afloat. Hope not. Some nice people work there. read more

I have never been so mistreated and I am so disappointed in the service provided to me when I visited this branch. First of all, I made an appointment a week in advance to open the American Airlines credit card after I was told that they do not take walk-in appointments. When I arrived at my appointment (I will admit a total of 2 minutes late) I found that both women who were dealing with customers in the lobby were busy. I let the teller know I had arrived for my appointment and she let the woman know that I had arrived. 25 minutes later I still had not been helped, and no one even gave me the time of day by letting me know they were running behind schedule. I asked the teller how much longer I could expect to wait, because I had an appointment and I needed to return to work. The woman who was supposed to help me was extremely rude and said "she was 20 minutes late for her appointment and we can't sit around and wait for her". I was SHOCKED by her tone and that she had the audacity to say that to a customer. Regardless if I was on time, 2 minutes late, or 20 minutes late (WHICH I WAS NOT) that is absolutely not the way you should treat or talk to a customer. When I initially went into the branch to make my appointment, I could tell I was not being taken seriously, probably because I look young, but I am so disappointed in the way I was treated and will never go back to this branch. Terrible experience, terrible customer service, just overall a terrible branch. Your management should reconsider who they have out helping clients and make sure they know that regardless of age, all clients need to be treated with respect. read more

Citi sucks. They promised a balance transfer to my bank and electronic notification. They did not complete the transfer, they did not notify me by phone or email. they finally sent a check that will take 6 days to deliver. A very bad experience read more