California Bank and Trust Reviews 

Rudest bank ever. Other reviewers have noted their experience in both incompetent account handling and intentional discourtesy. We would let a fully automated system handle our business accounts before we ever put our trust in their bank. Only consider working with them if wasting time and aggravation are your goals.

This bank provides terrible customer service. I called the Torrance branch to set up an account for a USDA business loan I was already approved for, hoping to get the process started. The representative I spoke with was rude, dismissive, and passive-aggressive. Instead of assisting me, she simply told me I had the wrong department, gave me another phone number, and passed me along. When I asked if she had ever called that number herself, she admitted she had not and had no idea what it was for, yet insisted I call them instead.

Since I was nearby, I decided to visit the branch in person. The experience was just as frustrating. The teller was unhelpful and informed me that no branch manager was on-site and no one was available to address complaints. It was clear they had no interest in assisting small businesses or new clients. This bank only seems to care about established, legacy businesses and does not prioritize customer service or business development.

If you’re looking for a bank that supports small businesses, this is not the one. They made it clear they had no interest in helping, both over the phone and in person. I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

California Bank and Trust has been my bank for many years but lately their online banking has become poor and they ignore requested repairs. I believe that they have programmers who have little accounting experience in the format of online documents, everything is upside down. Does anyone know of a bank with an online banking system that has a reasonable format?

Bankers are always really helpful and its easy to get someone on the phone (not a robot!) Had my account with them for 4 years and its way better than the national banks for my savings account.

I have banked at many banks in the past 53 years and this bank is the most committed to its customers I have EVER experienced. The personalized service, the attention to detail and alerting me when my card has been phished is more than I had ever hoped for as a result of my poor experiences at other banks. Every branch I have walked into has been 1st class in service and assistance.

This bank is dishonest. I have a second mortgage loan with them and every month they charge me $150 to $200 in fees. They canceled my automatic payments without telling me, then charged late fees. Their screw-ups are too numerous to just be accidents. Last month I paid in full and I went in today to pay (I have to pay in person or they will deny receiving the payment) and the teller said I owed three months plus three months of late fees. I argued about it. The teller went and talked to someone else and came back and said I only owe one month (the current month I was paying for). No apology or explanation. If I wouldn't have argued, he would have charged me for three months. Avoid this dishonest bank! I will get out as soon as I can refinance my loan.

Poor customer service--the number they give you to call has personnel who actually don't know anything or give wrong answers--no way to complain to anyone.