Bank of America

Long ass lines. They’re really understaffed and lines can easily be half an hour if you’re unlucky. There’s 9 windows. But only one person working. So if some dumb schmuck decides to take forever, you’re gonna be stuck waiting behind them.

Ok I’m really writing the bad review today. I’ve wasted so many hours waiting and now on the first day of the year the line is nearly out the door with only 2 tellers. Can’t wait to get a new bank.

Ugh. Just UGH. The ATM’s do not work for cash deposits & once it withdrew $ 200 from my account because it wigged out. It took months of fighting this error. The manager at this branch basically called me a liar! He was so rude. I said, «You need to look at your security videos!»
There is always a LONG line, regardless of hour. They only have one teller working. When people complained one time, the lady explained that it only really gets this busy at the beginning of the month… WELL, why don’t you get more tellers during the beginning of the month???
I would change banks but am too lazy to switch my direct deposits & too cheap to re-​invest on checkbooks at another bank. When it’s time to re-​order, I’m outta here!

The WORST bank of all time. They keep scanning the routing number of a check missing digit and every single time, I have to go into the bank and explain to them like a bunch of morons that they are missing the digit. Just hate all around.

I will start by saying that although Bank of America as an institution is money mongering and criminally bad, some branches have better service than others. This review is focused more on the fact that this particular branch sucks than on the fact that B of A sucks as a whole (although it does, and I plan on switching banks in the coming weeks).
I’ve been to this branch several times, and each time it has been laughably understaffed, and whatever 2 people are actually working range from apathetic to vapid. Once I had to withdraw a large sum of money so I could go get a money order with it (because-​get this! B of A charges its own customers TEN DOLLARS for a cashiers check, where as 7 – 11 only charges 3 dollars for a money order. I am being treated better as a stranger at 7 – 11 than a long time customer at B of A), and I was trying to play it cool and be quiet about what I was asking for so I wouldn’t be immediately mugged walking home. But of course the woman who was «helping» me (who had been rude and dismissive throughout the interaction) announced the exact number of dollars I was withdrawing very loudly. It kind of made me laugh. Like really? Why? Whatever.
However, that was not the experience that spurred me to write that review. As I said, this branch is always crazy understaffed. I needed a form notarized because my car was stolen. I went on the B of A website, and in the FAQ section, it says most branches have notary services; under where it said that I pushed the button that said «search for location» and selected this branch. I made an appointment online and in the comments section I wrote that I needed to see a notary. The website said they’d call if there were any questions. Which I assumed meant they’d call if… say, I don’t know… perhaps if there IS no notary.
So I literally run from work to make my appointment and there are basically two people working: a grumpy teller and an extremely wide-​eyed unhelpful girl with a clipboard who I am 100% sure doesn’t actually do anything but is hired to enhance the appearance that some sort of customer service is being provided. I tell this girl I’m here for my appointment. Right before I talk to her, she «helps» another customer:
man– «Excuse me, I need some assistance-​«
B of A girl– «You’ll have to visit one of our tellers.»
man– «one of them… but there is only one!»
B of A girl– «mmhm yes you will have to visit one of our tellers» (blank smile»
Then it’s my turn! Goody! After seeing that incredibly customer service and general powers of observation, I was ecstatic.
B of A girl– «Hello?»
me: «Hi I made an appointment. I need to have a form notarized.»
B of A girl– «ummm soooo most banks don’t have notaries.»
me– «Actually, many do. And your website said you do.»
B of A girl– «mmmm well most don’t and we don’t. you must have been confused»
me– «then can you tell me which branches do offer notary services?»
B of A girl– «umm I’m pretty sure none do»
me– «I’M pretty sure some do, because it says so on your website, so I just want to know which ones or how you think it would be best for me to find out»
B of A girl– «well there is literally no way for me or you to check that»
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT. Then she recommended I go to a notary across the street GEE, THANKS!
What would I have done without this girl’s help, right?! B of A sucks. But this branch in particular.

All you guys need to know is that there is a man with a plan for you every time you are looking to get taken care of: his name is Jonathan (John) Jones, and he gets a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ rating in my book. I came to him with what seemed to be an unsolvable issue after speaking with multiple personal bankers, claims services departments, as well as managers which spanned literally two entire business days, and through them all, John was able to not only solve the issue, but also do so single-​handedly in a matter of 30 — 45 mins tops. So if he’s taking care of you, show him some love if you can because he’ll genuinely be trying to help. Shout out to Janet too!

Professional and friendly staff, however grossly understaffed, a la DMV or Post Office. One business model does not work for all locations. Many in this location do not have computer access :-(

It’s Monday morning, and there is only one teller working! There are 15 people waiting in the line!!! Seriously???

The ATM kiosk is now a homeless encampment. I can’t use it anymore. BOA please clean it up.

What is with Bank of America always under staffed? Isn’t this one of the first banks and largest in the county? Are they so cheap to not hire a few more tellers to handle the amount of people coming through?
There’s nine teller windows and there’s never anymore than two tellers. Your service blows Bank of America. F you.

4 people in line. 5 employees behind glass. Line should move fast but somehow thy can only manage to open one window. I guess those funny chats that the staff were having with each other were more important than us customers.

After having hopped between this Bank of America branch and the Wells Fargo branch across the street multiple times this morning, it is clear as night and day their customer service is VERY lacking.
The Wells Fargo is brightly lit, people greeting you at the door asking how they can assist you, and you really feel welcomed, whereas the Bank of America is dark, empty, with an inch-​thick bulletproof glass between you and the teller. Unlike the other reviews, there wasn’t a line when I visited, and they had 3 tellers.
What was most concerning is the information they provided me was inconsistent between the three tellers I spoke with. (I spoke with all 3 of them within 30 minutes of each other, hopping between the two banks). The last teller (who was really nice!), gave the branch manager my phone number for a call at 11:30am and it’s been over 45 minutes and I have yet to receive a call.
It’s no surprise that Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone Magazine published his article: «Bank of America: Too Crooked to Fail».

Standing in line for 20 minutes with no line movement and only one teller open at Berkeley Main branch on march 3^rd 2015 just to make a deposit. I was asked by an employee walking the line if I needed help I asked her if they could open another teller and she replied rudely no and then asked me if I had an account there as if that would magically make the line move if I did or did not. She obviously had taken offense to my request and showed her anger in the way she continued to speak to me with her tone. There is just no reason for a retail banking branch to only have one teller open at noon on the 3^rd of the month or to be rude to someone waiting in line for 20 minutes. They eventually opened another teller by 12:15pm. The line then started to move and the teller was polite and helpful. Overall this was a terrible experience I would not recommend this office to someone shopping for a new bank.

Terrible branch. There are 18 people in line and one teller only. None of the other people working here are trying to help. I’ve been here 35 minutes and still 4 people in front of me. I’m only here to make a deposit for someone else. I will never plan to open an account at this bank. The people in line say that this is normal for this branch.

The tellers are ok, but if you need anything more than that don’t expect quick service. I waited half a day for a manager to call me back about a request (they never did even after 2 phone calls) and finally had to show up at the branch and wait in a long line (wish they would have told me that in the first place). They want you to make a next day appointment but it turns out waiting in line will get you the same day results you need. Once I got an associate’s help they were friendly and helpful.

Spent 2.5 hours trying to change my last name after getting married (and showing them all certificates and such). After all the effort, they didn’t even type it correctly (why did I even print my name for you then?). Now I have to go back, probably for another 2 hour appointment, to get them to fix what they should’ve done correctly to begin with.

I really like this branch and I’m not sure why everyone else has such negative reviews.
Every time I come in, there’s normally no line. Line or not, there’s usually a banker that comes around asking what we’re doing so that we have everything we need by the time we get to the teller, or she’ll take care of you if it’s something quick and easy.
It’s always clean and it’s nice that there’s a highly visible security guard at the atm’s.
Overall, I love coming to this branch!

Teller service in high demand, lines often long & slow moving.
3 ATMs: the one on Shattuck Ave much more available than the two on Center St.

WOW. A few days after my 2-​star review of the Bank of America Berkeley branch, I received a «compliment» from Rosa P (seemingly an anonymous employee of Bank of America). «She» has no reviews, no Unilocal friends, a picture of a man in her profile, and one Unilocal tip (which had many misspellings and punctuation mistakes so clearly «she» isn’t a manager or high-​level employee). «Rosa P» informed me that the branch manager John, who I stated in my review «dropped the ball» with my complaint, was on medical leave and I should «find out the facts 100 percent before mouthing off really».
The day I met with him at noon, he was quite healthy looking, friendly, and concerned about my issue. I was under the impression he was going to attend to the matter immediately, which clearly didn’t happen as I had to return the following week and began to resolve the issue with Shirley Yu. At this time, I was told by Shirley that John had gone out on a medical leave. I told her that I was sorry to hear this but the day I had met with him, there was no indication he was unwell. Due to my previous interactions with branch employees, I assumed that this was just another example of poor customer service. I do apologize if John took a dramatic turn for the worse the minute I left the building and wish him a speedy recovery.

Ohhh Bank of America!
My company does all of its banking throught BofA. They are the leader in banking and there is no match.
The branch is in the middle of downtown Berkeley. Very close to public transportation options, stores, UC Berkeley, and within walking distances for local residents. Plently of parking for customers with its own private lot that is patroled by a parking attendant.
The staff is very eager and try to make conversation with you. The place is always clean. I come here often and have never had a bad experience.
Thank you Bank of America for taking care of us all these years!