1st Bank

Every day, I pass a giant sign in 1stBank’s window that says, «Free Checking is Still Free»…Every month, I’m assessed a $ 5 fee for not setting up my bills with them (most of my bills charge me $ 10 monthly if I setup through the bank). Ok, fine, I could still maaaaaaybe find a way to make that work and not get charged $ 5 a month, so we’ll let that slide. However, I received a $ 10 «Annual Fee» on my checking account today. Their marketing team really needs to reconsider throwing around the word «Free», because they’ve nickle-​and-​dimed me more than anyone I’ve ever banked with.
Also, I setup my cell phone payment through my provider as a monthly payment. This worked, up until last month when 1stBank failed to process the payment and my phone was shut off for no apparent reason. I’m a working professional and use that phone to contact my boss… doesn’t look too good when it’s mysteriously shut off and no one can reach me. I had to pay an additional fee through the cell phone provider to get it turned on in a hurry. 1stBank has failed to respond to the two inquiries I’ve made regarding this. Some customer service.
Minor point, but if you’re open until 12 PM on a Saturday, don’t take your donuts to the back at 11:45 AM when customers are still in the lobby and then tell people, «They’re all gone, sorry!» That’s just mean. Like, sorry I have a life on Saturdays and can’t get there until 11:50, but where’s my sugar? WHERE???

A bank run by children. After a surreal experience with 2 branch managers and a regional prez who overstated his authority, I was relieved not to allow this sad excuse for a bank to process my mortg refi or other services… AVOID.

To me, a Bank is a Bank is a Bank.
Sure, there are helpful services, like drive-​through banking and on-​site, external ATMs for quick transactions. This FirstBank has a drive-​through ATM on-​site. Unfortunately, the aforementioned machine is faulty, and when it malfunctions and keeps your Debit Card stuck inside it, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Why?
Because FirstBank says, and I quote: «That machine belongs to a Third Party. We don’t own or Service it.»
Excuse me?
Credit Unions are looking better and better. BellCo is just across the street.
YOU are a Bank. YOU have, ON YOUR PROPERTY, and ATM that has YOUR BANK NAME on it. But you don’t OWN IT? And you cannot provide service on it when it malfunctions? Are you KIDDING ME? And don’t even get me started on the multiple, yes, MULTIPLE times our identities have been compromised due to «Skimming» devices on those very ATM machines. ON BANK PROPERTY. Twice in one year, a letter arrived in the mail stating that my identity and personal information «May have been compromised» due to their lack of competence, safety and security. Now come to find out that they don’t even OWN the offending FirstBank ATMs?
Like I said, you’ve gotta be kidding me.