If this was not the only bank on the mountain in my area (since I am not near the Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead banks) I would not bank here. I opened an account here just for convenience as opposed to having to run down the hill to Chase whenever I couldn't complete a transaction online or at an ATM. After banking for just a couple months with First Mountain, I now realize that I have had a wonderful experience with my bigger bank, Chase, than this small bank who prides themselves as being the #1 bank in California. Far, far from that. There is very little convenience and efficiency in their structure like ATM transactions, account set up, online banking and mobile banking -- all of which are EXTREMELY outdated and limited. Their hours are limited, and it takes them a long time to complete simple transactions. Their technology is lacking completely.
But the REAL reason I was driven to write this review is the experience I have had with them inside their bank. From the time I opened an account with them, I have experienced poor customer service and an unfriendly attitude from almost all of the staff there. My husband is a US permanent resident, but not a citizen yet and every time I have had to complete a transaction in the bank that involved him and his ID card, they gave us a hard time and acted as though they have never heard of a green card, which is a LEGAL, US government-issued identification card. We got a bad attitude from the woman who helped us add him onto my account, saying she could not use his US permanent resident card as a way to add him onto the account, claiming and asking me why he does not have a California-issued identification card. Because he does not need one, and never has needed one, so why are you making it seem like he does need one when he does not? I did not like the attitude of this rep, and got a bad vibe from her, from the time I opened an account with them. After checking with her manager, she found out that she CAN in fact add him to my account with his permanent resident ID card -- big surprise. Long story short, this is a small bank, who staffs people who are way too stuck up in their small little mountain town and are not very welcoming to others outside of the immediate community. Pretty pathetic. They need to get with the times, and break out of their isolated attitude and learn what good customer service is. This is NOT the #1 bank in California, trust me. read more