I have banked with many a bank over several decades. I initially chose BankWell for the "local…read moretouch" and so called personalized service After so much management turnover at the branch level, an antiquated phone system (talk about being shuffled around) and poor customer follow up, I finally gave up.

Worst banking experience ever. They are very good at opening accounts but very very bad at actual…read morebanking. While the people at the branches, tellers etc.., are quite nice the online banking and mortgage departments are awful. They do not communicate well or really at all except to collect fees. I will never bank there again and I would tell anyone to use extreme caution before opening an account with them. Truly my worst banking experience ever.

First County Bank had very competitive CD rates in 2024 so I opened up 4 CDs with varying maturity…read moredates at First County. I also opened up CDs at other local banks including Bankwell and DR Bank. A number of my CDs at the other banks have matured already, and my first First County CD matured yesterday. I tried to close my matured First County CD, and I was told that they were going to charge me a $10 fee for the bank check used to close the account. (So I would be charged a total of $40 for my 4 CDs). Neither Bankwell nor DR bank charges their customers fees to close their accounts. Even Citibank doesn't charge for this. So theoretically, if your child deposits her $100 birthday money into a First County account, whenever she decides to close the account, she will be charged $10 (if she's issued a bank check.) I understand that banks charge their customers a fee to issue a bank check for their customers' use (to buy a car, etc.) In First County's case, First County is charging the customer a fee for First County's own use of the bank check (to close out their customer's account). This is not a First County rant: their rates are competitive, and their CSRs are polite. I am posting this to give potential customers a heads' up about their unusual account closure fee.

New Caanan Branch gets (5 stars)…read more I can't say enough good things about this branch! Agnieszka Maciejewski and her team (New Caanan) do an amazing job. They are polite, helpful, sincere, and truly remind you that this is not Citi or BofA. This is a small, local bank with plenty of branches in Fairfield County to satisfy anyone. If you're looking for top-notch service and a personal touch, this is the place to go. Overall, this bank (the company) gets (3.5 stars) (the branch gets (5 stars)). Here's why: Positives: They are a small bank, and their decision-makers are responsive and accessible. Their branches make banking easy, and there are almost never more than 2-3 people in line, except Fridays at lunchtime. There are no fees for qualified depositors. Cons: The bank has its own way of looking at living trusts, which can be restrictive. After a lot of effort from Agnieszka, my wife, and myself, the issue has been resolved. We still maintain our business account at Chase (which has $5,000 in it). They pay an interest rate of just .001%, so don't leave money in your interest-bearing checking account. If you are looking for a local bank with a personal touch, you found it. PS I will amend my review (if warranted) in 90-days. I am inclined to say that the bank will get regraded to (4 stars) and the branch to (5 stars).

Lets just say helpful is an understatement. We needed to transfer money from a 5/3rd bank because…read morethere are none in the area to lock down a rental lease. The staff right away was talking one on one with the 5/3rd manager in Chicago to work on the process. May I also add this was on a sat. running against the clock of an early closing day. Both sides brainstorming figured it out and Javier did his awesome job of getting the certified check done and even waived the fee for us. The whole team was kind and inviting. I can not wait to move to the area and continue to use Chase as our primary bank. I must also add that they had coloring sheets for the kids and the coffee was not to bad either.