Mechanics Bank

WORST BANK EVER! Do not do business with them. We had a commercial loan with Mechanics Bank with a 5 year term. Made payments every month on time. Mechanics wanted us to move all our banking with them from Wells Fargo but Mechanics online banking is horrible. We only used Mechanics checking to pay our loan payments. Mechanics put a lien on our house because of the loan. We could not refinance our house because of the lien so we decided to give Mechanics the business to do our refinance since they know about their lien & all our financials. We were locked in at a lowish rate but it took Mechanics a long time to get the loan done. We thought this was strange because we have done refinances before. When it came time for us to sign papers for our refinance Mechanics changed our locked in rate to a higher rate. We did not do the refinance home loan it was not worth the $ 200 savings a month. We paid $ 500 for the appraisal so it was our loss. We still to this day have our original home loan with Quicken Loans. But we also have a credit score loan with Mechanics as well which we make monthly payments to on time. I avoided going into the branch on Main Street in Walnut Creek and only used the drive by window to do business because Scott who is in the branch obviously hate us for not doing the refinance on our home. When I made our last payment to our commercial loan Scott was at the drive by window. He was rude & did not come back to me when I made the last commercial loan payment at the branch, he had another teller give me my payment receipt. A few days later Scott sent us a letter demanding we pay off our credit score loan. We asked Mechanics if we could make payments for this loan due to our «never missed or paid a payment late.» Everyone at Mechanics refused. We have excellent credit & have plenty of collateral to back up the loan. Not once did they even come to our 2 businesses which both our locations are about a 5 minute drive from any Mechanics branch. They obviously do business with their emotions. They deserve not even one star but could not make it no stars. BTW this is not true what they advertise.
​From Your Website:​
​“We take the subject of helping your business grow very seriously. At Mechanics Bank, our team of personal business bankers focuses on the banking needs of sole proprietors to mid-​sized companies. We are committed to you and your company’s success, from the earliest stages through growth, expansion, succession planning or sale.”

This bank and location believe in providing EXCELLENT Customer Service. I’ve banked here for years. Tina, Marina, Kim and Megan and everyone else there, all are wonderful!

I had a negative experience with manager Steve too. He charged me $ 5.00 per statement when I asked for it. After a dozen years, and holding six figure accounts (that I finally had the sense to close), you would think they have better CS. This bank went down vertically after it was taken over by the folks from the «South”(no offense) couple years back. Once I complained, they, together with the Lafayette duo (Cooper and Magda) like a gang of wolves turned against me and the latter began sabotaging my banking by not issuing me access to on line banking with lame excuses and delays. The culture in this bank is nasty.

This review is specifically for this location on Main Street. So incredibly disappointed with the level of service received. Long story short I showed up 5 mins after driving up here from Sacramento. When I was ten mins out I called the branch to ask them if they would make an exception and let me in. The lady just kept insisting that I get there by 5. No thinking outside the box. I then show up at 5:05 and knock on the door. The manager, Scott, comes to the door. I explain to him the situation and ask that he make an exception. I need this currency by Friday, I drove all the way from Sacramento, and they just begun balancing there drawers. He stood there for 5 mins explaining to me that it was too late and he could not let me in. I definitely understand that I was late but for the banking center manager to not be able to make a decision to let one person in for this circumstance is unfortunate. What happened to empowering your leaders to do right by their customer? Had Scott stepped up and opened the doors to do business with me in my moment of need this would have left a lasting impression on me and I would have inclined to do business with mechanics. But when you can’t use common sense to take care of me why should I bring my business to your? Empower your associates to do right by their clients! Such a disappointing experience. I will not be bringing or referring business to a corporation who can’t help me in my moment of need.

I opened a account in Mechanics bank and transfer my money from my old bank when Washington Mutual was absorbed by Chase, and started charging fees to my «free» business checking account. They have a truly free checking acct for small businesses like mine. I am really happy with the personal treatment and the fact that I can call directly the branch instead of listening to a computerized voice or with someone in a different time zone or another country all together.
I highly recommend Mechanics bank.

I think it is time to boycott Walnut Creek, Mechanics Bank, and Regional Parking. My wife has a broken foot and we have an CA Handicap Parking Permit. We parking in the Mechanic Parking Lot last night as it was the closest parking available to the Restaurant that we were going to. Saw the signs with the usury parking rates, but figured according to state laws CA Handicap Permits allow for free parking. Figured Wrong. These idiots left a parking invoice with some scribbling which is difficult to read other that ADA-​ATM Use only. Friends and family, no more festivities in downtown Walnut Creek until the City and Mechanics Bank takes this Company to task.

This review is for Mechanics Bank in general. They have great, personal service. I have had accts with all the big banks and Mechanics tellers actually try to help you eliminate the late fees. A check came through that I wrote months ago and received a personal call telling me that I needed to make a transfer. You can actually call the branch directly and ask for a person instead of a 1800 number.
The downfall is there aren’t many branches but they DON’T charge you for using other bank’s ATM and reimburse you for the other bank’s fee.

I really love this bank. Switched from Chase about a year ago. Mechanics’ policies regarding check deposits and funds availability after deposits are sane and humane… compared to the deliberately abusive policies I endured at Chase. Mechanics’ personal, down-​to-​earth service has been awesome. They’ve remodeled their website in recent months… their online banking had been a very weak spot but now it’s fine. While I love online banking, I find myself actually wanting to go to downtown WC to see the nice people at the bank. How weird is that!

As a small business owner, I needed a place to do some very basic banking. After asking a few other business owners, I kept hearing the same place, Mechanics! Grant took care of me that first day, and I have had complete trust in Mechanics ever since. I even switched my personal account over! For me it is the little things in a bank. They make everything very easy, everyone is always very friendly, and many of the people there already know me!

friendly bank, easy to use online banking system. definatly a fan of the customer service, everyone here treats me like family

I have always felt people choose to bank at the institution that abuses them the least. They will stay until it becomes intolerable, and the try another. This is not the case with MB. I love this place and they like me. I am always greeted, fast accurate service. Fees are reasonable. I found you will get the same treatment whichever branch you visit. They sincerely are happy you dropped by. It is funny though. More than one person in line and they panic, apologize and try to see if a Mgr. can help. I only wish they had a larger geographic coverage.

These guys have the mentality of a traffic cop. I understand the need for rules, but when I went in to cash a $ 50 check and presented my driver’s license, which was 15 days expired (I’m still awaiting the new one in the mail), they wouldn’t cash it. I could understand if it was a thousand dollar check, or if the check looked forged, but a $ 50 computer generated check? It’s just another example of how financial institutions don’t really care about the average joe, all while claiming how important you are to them. I could have gotten this kind of service at B of A!

Friendly and efficient. I am a new customer and they already know me by name. They return fees for using other banks’ ATMs! They are a strong, family owned business who genuinely care about customers. What a concept! And, can you believe… when you use the «drive up» window, a real person serves you???

I’ve been with mechanics for years… this bank knows me on the first name basis. always are friendly, helpful, and above all dont ass rape you with crap fees and such… I love them!..

Mechanics Bank has THE BEST customer service. A real person answers the phone EVERY TIME you call whether its the branch or the 800-​number. The drive-​up window is so handy if you’re in a hurry, or it’s raining, or you’re still in your bunny slippers!

This bank is truly great. I always get a friendly smile and hello whenever I walk in. I have a banker, his name escapes me but he is ethnic or asian, who helps me with everything I need whether face to face or on the phone. Look out Big Banks, Service gets me, Mechanics gets me!!!