Coast Capital Savings

You get what you pay for. Regular plain vanilla banking is OK but anything extra and the geniuses in Coast Capital are going to screw up. Cheques — always always deposit by hand, never through the machine. Wire transfers — bound to not go through, who knows why?
Another issues is that this particular institution lacks branches severely. Need to go in to the branch — prepare to take a day off unless you work in Surrey where they are on every block. Like I said — you get what you pay for.

I just have to mention something here to clear up the recurring trend in the reviews below. CC is NOT a bank. It’s a credit union with somewhat limited (in some cases, drastically limited) services. Clients often confuse banking institutions with local credit unions which are structured differently but yet everyone wants a ”free” or less expensive service. Think about it slowly: Cheaper services or free chequing accounts will come at a cost. You are obviously not going to get the scope of services that a national or multi-​national corporation will.
With regards to the poor lady who was locked out of her account with no bank card for an extended period, having been in the banking industry (not a credit union) for over 5 years, I can tell you that you should have been given the option of having a new generic card (with no name embossed) on the spot in branch. This is standard procedure. If clients prefer their cards personalized as a form of ID (names embossed), this can take up to 7 to 10 days while it is processed and mailed out to you. I am really sorry for your experience and I wouldn’t have been impressed either. From my experience working in the financial industry, I can only see this as a major training/​coaching opportunity. In my experience as well, I would have insisted for a generic bank card on the spot after providing two sufficient IDs (one primary, one secondary or two primary).
So far I have been happy with the service at CC for my personal needs. I would not expect a local credit union to function at the level of a larger corporation. Try to diversify your portfolio at different institutions and do your shopping for the appropriate institutions. Shop around for better interest rates, better credit card options, better mortgage rates, and shop around for better portfolio managers and financial service representatives you feel you may have a good connection with. Even though I have great connections at two large banks, it doesn’t mean that I am going to put all my eggs in those two. I prefer having and maintaining a relationship with a local credit union as well.

I’ve been a customer of Coast Capital for several years and this is my main branch. I love Coast Capital and I’m a big fan of their minimal/​reasonable service charges. I don’t go into a branch often, but the staff has always been helpful and friendly. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anybody.

If you need a free chequing account and nothing else, then this is the place for you.
If you want to work towards a mortgage, expect zero support, information or service.
If you invest tens of thousands in mutual funds and RSPs and expect some support, information or the ability to contact someone about your options or choices, forget CCS.
I’ve banked here for years and am finally moving on because free just doesn’t cut it when you have other banking needs.
You can’t speak to anyone knowledgeable anywhere, just a call center, and if you ask for the Branch Manager’s number, you will be refused. I asked over 20 times but there is no one to talk to to about anything related to planning for a future.
Not bad customer service but ZERO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
This is just a shell of a credit union

Super friendly and helpful! You can also use any other Credit Union ATM and not get charged fees (regardless of whether or not it is Coast Capital Savings).

I am reviewing the state of the ATM and the ATM only. Is this a fair judgement on the whole branch? Not really. I’m going to do it anyway.
I wish there was a closer CCS to my house — closest one is in Richmond on Cambie and 5^th or this location.
The few times I have used the ATM the garbage is always overflowing. That’s my only complaint. I’m sure the other facilities are wonderful

Worst customer service ever!
My Bankcard has been «compromised» twice now, both times they cancelled my card with NO courtesy email or phone call, leaving me to find out my card was deactivated in a grocery store after all my groceries had been rang through.
Called the bank and they said I would need to go to the nearest CC ATM and reset my password by entering my old password — as if someone who STOLE my card and password couldn’t do exactly the same thing!
I went to the nearest branch, told them what happened and was given the advice to always use a credit card as it was more secure process and this mess was less likely to happen. Requested a new card with chip and was told one had been sent in JUNE!
Explained I never received it and was told this had happened to a lot of people due to the postal strike. Teller cancelled the «lost» card in the system and I asked for a new one to be sent, only to be told that this was not possible without handing over my existing card first.
I said «but you mailed the first one…» and was told that was a «corporate initiative» and could not be done again !!!
My options were to go without a card until the new card arrived — so no access to my money, to get a chip card right then which would have a different number and would not have my name on it or (and this is my favorite) I could wait for my existing card to expire at which point I would be sent a new card — MY CARD EXPIRES IN 2015!!!
After giving up on getting a new card the teller gave me incorrect instructions to reset the password (told me to go to the atm (wait in line AGAIN) use the last 4 digits on card) had to wait in line for the teller AGAIN only to have him look at me like a moron, walk me to the ATM and run through the process — surprise it didn’t work for him either. Had to call in a 2^nd person who explained I needed to enter my old password in order to reset the new password.
It finally worked but when I came home to find out my password for online banking had now been de-​activated. This AFTER I had asked specifically if this would happen and had been reassured that it wouldn’t!
My online banking worked perfectly fine before going to the bank AND was working after my card had been compromised because I checked the balance while I was at the grocery store.
This is outrageously poor customer service and an incredible waste of my time. Not once did I get an apology.

I had this weird idea that banks were uptight, impersonal and downright awful to deal with. This Coast Capital location proved me wrong, especially the staff members Ryan and Cindy!
It all started out a few weeks ago when I needed some financial advice. Ryan sat down with me and gave me a total boost of confidence I wasn’t expecting!
I had a follow up with Ryan a week or so later and we had a similar chat. Basically just pep talks, because all I really needed was a boost in my financial confidence. He suggested I meet with his boss, Cindy, who was just as kind and professional. She also gave me some great advice and I left all 3 appointments feeling much better than when I went in.
In addition to these 2 specific staff members, this particular branch is always great. All the bank tellers are friendly, quick and prompt and the ATM has never given me any troubles.