Bank of the West Tucker Rd, Tehachapi

Perceptions and experiences clearly vary. We have had several accounts at this branch going back 17 years, including a business account. I rarely have to go to the counter but my wife does regularly and we have never had an issue with the staff. I will admit that the process of opening an account seems to be painfully slow but that appears to be a logistics problem. The last account we opened (9 years ago), I will note that the account manager was not personable, but she was also certainly not rude. Most important from our perspective is that the bank has been extremely diligent in identifying false charges and "hijacked" accounts. We use a large number of different vendors and at least twice a year have to get new debit cards and process paperwork to block fake charges. BOTW has been excellent at detecting these frauds and notifying us immediately. We have accounts at Wells Fargo and CitiBank as well as BOTW and have not found any of those big banks to be better. If anything Citi is less responsive and requires more diligence on our part to monitor our accounts. So all things being equal, I will take BOTW over the big banks.

Sometimes when your own bank doesn't have a branch anywhere nearby and you absolutely have to do something in person, not online, it's extremely difficult to get much flexibility or options when you don't have an account there. The employees were pretty flexible, when they realized the major problems we were having with something that is usually fairly straightforward. The extremely tight rules and restrictions were so ridiculous and though no one broke any of these rules, they offered a couple of interesting solutions that would ultimately get the job done. The fault lies with these ridiculous rules, not with the people who are just trying to do a good job and help people.

They’re only open 9-3 so you can’t go to the bank before or after work and closed on weekends. Their atm never works either and it’s the only one in town. Customer service is rude and unhelpful. I would never use this bank again

Absolutely terrible experience here, worst bank branch and the rudest I’ve ever been too. I’m directly calling out June and her absolutely disrespectful attitude towards customers and the way she treats us when we seem to know more about her job then she does, and the Manager Maggie is a complete joke. These two employees are running this business and town into the ground and running this branch as if it were their personal little club than a business. Whoever thought these two are management material should be ashamed of themselves. Fire them and you will get my business back, until then I’m going across the street to save time and money. I can’t believe how much time they waste and then dare to talk about customers the way they do in front of others. Disgraceful!!!!

Wow, it makes me sad to see so many bad reviews of this bank because we have been VERY pleased with the service that we've received over the years here. We've banked with Bank of the West for several years and have never had a bad experience. We recently got a safety deposit box there and the people that we dealt with as we got that all set up were very nice and professional. Our needs are simple when it comes to banking. We don't have to go inside the bank itself very often, but whenever we do, they are always very friendly and helpful.

Giving a 1 star because I can't go any lower. I found June to be extremely condescending and rude. I asked her to clarify a term, and all she did was repeat herself in a tone that was borderline harassing. Last I checked, June, YOU work for the people who bank with Bank of the West. Maybe work on your customer service. I will be calling to report her lack of care when dealing with customers. I am very unhappy with this bank. Update: Called corporate office to file an official compliant. They took down my experience. I hope something positive comes of this for the customers of Bank of the West

Completely disappointed in this bank and all their rules. Horrible customer service. Everything is for the bank. I don't have my spouse on my checking account for good reasons. Tried to cash my husband's payroll check with him present with ID and was told they don't accept 3rd part checks. Received a Christmas check payable to the both of us. They REFUSED to cash it as well. When I bring checks in payable to me, one teller in particular, asks what they are for (payroll). Mind you NONE of these checks are over $300. The only reason I opened a checking account with them is because I was trying to cash a payroll check from one of their customers for $70 they charged me $7 to cash it. The teller manager doesn't come and explain anything she simply private messages with the tellers. They don't even try to get to know their customers. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY AT THIS BANK. Next opportunity I have I will close this account and go else where.

Seriously need more staff, the tension an stress on current staff is overwhelming translating over to customers. The branch Manager is not that pleasant either and can be quite inconsiderate of customers privacy and does not either staff correctly or really misunderstands the value of people’s time. I will be considering seeking a new bank to work with unless some serious changes start happening.

Bank of the West is a joke. Please let me explain why. The tellers here first of all are fantastic, Sean, Sue, Raymond y’all crack me up and look out for me, for the other tellers I’m sorry if I haven’t mentioned you, but you are incredible and their patience an attitude are the reason I still even walk into this branch! Now let’s get down to the reasons why this bank disappoints. First I must agree with Just Kerri that management is lacking here strongly, they simply sit an private message the tellers an try an swoop in an try an “managerexplain” something which ends up doing a worse job then the tellers, because they briefly overheard something, and think they can do better. Second the pace at which things are accomplished here are unbelievable at how slow it is, sorry everyone, but your higher ups need to take a moment, and clearly read this because we THE CUSTOMER have seen you sitting in the branch time and time again we have over heard your so called “pep talks” to the tellers, we are not stupid nor are they. The problem lies with the truth that every other bank doesn’t pry this much into our personal finances, they do not over reach so hard at trying to sell something to us, or have countless moments sitting waiting for a Kim, Joe, Tiffany (if you ever manage to see her) to take a moment out of whatever task or phone call (infuriating) to come clear your deposit. This is a sad joke we get for trying to do our banking, for cashing checks understandable, but deposits? My word, please take a second to visit another bank nowhere does it take that long or that many questions or that tired old upselling (how many times have you been asked the same thing about seeing a financial advisor or upgrading your account at this branch) or the phone calls god the phone calls. Which leads to the final complaint and question why are you so poorly staffed? This is a common amongst the businesses in Tehachapi, but we clearly have a issue at this bank, An I’ve personally been standing in line when the visiting manager “Pam” thank you Amy for her name, sits on side conversations “which we can hear by the way” and tells the staff that their customer service or not being greeted is why we are truly angry this is WRONG. We are upset by your business practices, your lack of even the slightest understanding of what your banks real issues are, and how badly staffed you are (why only 1-2 bankers? I don’t want to wait a week to open an account) try doing a lunch time deposit an watch only one or two poor tellers have to deal with a whole line. That’s horrible! And you blame them for it?! Do not deny it we have heard you! You want to make an appointment but it seems everyone in town has to work around your schedule an not the other way, this bank doesn’t serve your needs, you serve theirs. Why you may ask? Because this corporation thinks that selling something to you, smiling at you, and pretending there are no problems will make them go away. Not addressing the speed of service, the lack of staff, and understanding the simplicity that banking could be is why most of us are seeking greenier pastures. So to wrap things up simply, listen to your customers or eventually you aren’t going to have any. To Tehachapi branch this may seem harsh, but everyone keep on keepin on! Stay the amazing people you are! I would never leave because of you, I would only leave because of the business practices being used!

I do not recommend this bank for anyone in Tehachapi. The staff are poorly trained, rude, and unhelpful. They are so understaffed that going in for anything just wastes massive chunks of your time, I can no longer support this business as it has hurt mine. The manager is a complete and utter joke who takes way to much time off, doesn’t respect a single persons privacy and would rather blame assign then fix a problem. Run as far away from this bank as you can!