Wells Fargo Bank

Just waited in the drive up to make a deposit for 30 minutes. 30 minutes. There was only one teller at the window to begin with (ON A FRIDAY EVENING) and he clearly didn’t know what he was doing. I used to be a banker and when a teller like that (who is clearly new) is having problems with drive through transactions, he shouldn’t be on his own drawer. Get yourself together Wells Fargo, glad I no longer bank here!

Went in to open a new account. Everyone I encountered was extremely friendly. The process is a bit long but it’s done and over with and I now have a Wells Fargo account.

I had an interesting experience here yesterday.
Tried to deposit a check in the ATM, but it wouldn’t take it (probably because it was hand-​written) so up to the counter I go.
«Can I deposit a check using my ATM card?» «Sure!»
So I’m holding my ATM card, waiting for her to tell me to swipe it, while she goes through the motions of depositing the check, at the same time asking me the usual Wells Fargo mandated questions like, «What are you doing this weekend?» and «What did you have for breakfast» as if we’re long lost buddies.
I think I’m going to come up with a list of replies that will stop this kind of fake «I am your friend» bullshit dead in its tracks.
«So what are you doing for fun this weekend?»
«I’m starting a ten year prison sentence.» or «I have to pull the plug on my Mom»
Anyway.
She asks if I want a receipt and I say «sure,» still wondering how she’s doing all this without my card. But it won’t give a receipt.
She calls someone over to help. They fiddle with it a bit and then ask, «Do you live in Utah?»
Um, no.
They turn the screen around and I see another person’s name. They gave them my money.
«Did you put in your PIN?»
Honey, I never even swiped my card.
The manager decides it would be a good thing to continue the transaction at another station, since this one is now hopelessly locked up. He says the money is now in my account and gives me a receipt. But I wonder.

I have been a member of Wells Fargo bank for years (ATM card says since 1991) and have had both positive and negative experiences with them over my 20 years.
But because of the locations in CA and NV, I remained a member. I have had my issues with them (e.g. overdrafts, can’t find a WFB ATM east of the Mississippi) and before the advent of online accounts, dealt with their customer service representatives in various fashions (e.g. to check an account balance).
As a «typical» guy, I don’t expect much from my bank, and these days it’s rather easy to please. Online transactions, a myriad of account options, ATM’s everywhere, etc. The only time I pull out my ATM card is to deposit a check or to get some quick cash maybe once a month.
Recently, I went into WFB to deposit a check and pull out some cash (~$ 2100) and got directed to a personal banker because I have a chunk of change (thousands…) in my checking account and no savings account. No biggie, have to update some information and I inquired into a personal line of credit (not a HELOC, just an unsecured line of credit) mentioning that I tried a while back but never completed the process and that I usually keep my money in brokerage accounts. such as E-​Trade or at Schwab. Hence, no savings account and just «cash» in a checking account.
Basically I don’t need a personal line of credit, just wanted one «just in case» a variety of factors line up (e.g. tax day, car repair and the roof caves in) where you need more than what a credit card can offer.
Asked how much I wanted, I said «I dunno, never had one», so we went with $ 20,000 just because if I asked for $ 50,000 they might say no. A few minutes later, I was pretty much approved for $ 20,000. Had to run to Reno but sent an email later on asking (always told you don’t get unless you ask) for more, leaving it kind of vague. Was approved for $ 25,000 via a voice mail later on.
A week later, Saturday rolls around and I head into Carson to do my weekly grocery shopping, gas run and check out what’s tasty at CostCo. About 1:45P to avoid the lunch crowd I head back to WFB. Teller greets me and I say I’m here to see XYZ. They say to have a seat in the lobby and they’ll let me know now long the wait is. I did see XYZ helping someone so hung out for a bit. ~5 minutes go by and I’m still hanging out. The customer who was being helped leaves and I hang out for 2 more minutes.
You know, my time is valuable (it’s the weekend and we cherish our weekends!) and I am the customer. I decide I’m going to go next door, catch up on my WSJ and have a venti americano. Yes, Starbucks about 100 yards away. I get there, send an email (1:52P timestamp) letting them know I was there, got left hanging and will be at Starbucks waiting for an idea when a good time would be to sign whatever needs to be signed.
About 3:15, 4 days of old WSJ’s caught up on I decide to leave and head home. There wasn’t a call back or an e-​mail response as of then I decided I «enjoyed» enough of my sunny Saturday in Carson at Starbucks.
I did get an e-​mail and voice mail ~3:45. But I was already back at Tahoe (one of the vista points enjoying the view).
Anyhow, the whole point of this is that banks need to recognize that customers do have choices. I’m not «rich» nor a bazillionoire, just a guy who a few bucks in a bank.
Truth be told, they are a nice WFB and conveniently located with a drive through teller (great for winters!) and they did recognize me from my banking at the WFB branch at Safeway in Round Hill. And $ 25,000 as a unsecured/​personal line of credit may be a lot & a good idea to have around.
However, at this point I’m reconsidering the entire Wells Fargo thing after 20 years. I may keep a direct deposit of $ 25/​month to keep that «Member since 1991» on an ATM card, but I can go with NSB, Key Point, Tech CU or a myriad of other banks and credit unions where I do have money as my primary account. I will have to look at how many checks I have left and if it’s down to one last checkbook, this may be the last real interaction I have with them.
* Poor CS (e.g. follow through)
* Lack of ATMs east of the Mississippi
* No interest paying checking account
* High fees

They are consistently fast, they have a very knowledgable staff, and BONUS: they are open Monday– Saturday until 7 and open on Sundays! Yay!!!