We have banked here since around 1984 when it was Kern Schools. We have had mortgages, auto loans,…read moreetc. Ever since it changed to Valley Strong we have had problems. Our account has been compromised twice during the last few months and getting it taken care of with new cards, etc. has taken MONTHS each time. The last time we were told we would be mailed new cards and we STILL haven't received one of the cards and that was MONTHS ago. Just today when I got a text that I'm thinking might be from fraud and I call the bank I'm told I'm "Caller number 50" I have been on hold twice, each time over 30 minutes. WHO has time for that every time they call? Spoke to a customer service representative today and told her we would be closing our accounts. She said, "well I certainly can't talk you out of that and you're welcome to close your accounts if you like" Well THANK YOU for telling me I can close my accounts, sooooo helpful. Good-bye Valley Strong! Update: after receiving the response from Nicholas I did call the number he provided. No answer so I left a message. Ms. Whitmore called me back. She was apologetic and I believe sincere. She said the call would be reviewed and the customer service agent spoken to and gave me a direct line to a branch manager so if I had further questions/concerns I could call him directly instead of going through the call center. For now, I will keep our accounts and appreciate her willingness to resolve this.

UPDATE: Our account was compromised AGAIN on Feb 1st as someone took our routing numbers, about 26…read moredays later after this review was written. We had to obtain a whole different account. However, my husband spoke up and told the representative that it's unfair as customers we get penalized unlike banks. We were pessimistic that we would ever hear of them again. I just received a call from my husband that the branch manager refunded us the checks in full for the inconvenience. We were also able to open a Rocky Raccoon Account! We greatly appreciate that gesture as they still care. ---------- I've been a loyal customer for 12 years and used to genuinely love this bank. What stood out was the value it provided--not just in terms of competitive features, but also in how reliable and easy the services were to use. I could always get a representative quickly, and I felt like my loyalty was appreciated. Unfortunately, that sense of value has diminished over time. My husband's card has been compromised multiple times, even after getting a new number. Once, over 60 people at the branch were dealing with the same issue. This points to a breach on the bank's end, but there's been no transparency or clear resolution. It feels like security isn't being prioritized, which is concerning for customers like us who trust the bank to protect our finances. Then, there was the issue with my checks being sent to the wrong address--even after confirming the correct one several times. Now we're being told to close the account entirely and open a new one, which requires updating numerous autopayments. The inconvenience this creates is significant, and it's disappointing that no compensation is offered for the error. It would be nice to offer free checks for the inconvenience, showing they value the business and recognize their mistake. Even smaller things are becoming frustrating. Yesterday, I tried to open a Rocky Raccoon account for my son (such a cute idea!) but when I saved the application, it was marked 'abandoned' this morning, despite a 30-day save period. These things add up, with all occurred in the last 30 days, led me to creating this review. We've had issues for the past two years, but it's been overwhelming these past two months. This bank used to excel at providing excellent service and value by making things simple, reliable, and convenient. Now, it feels like they've outgrown their ability to maintain those standards. I hope they take steps to restore what made them great--valuing loyal customers and ensuring they deliver the quality we've come to expect.

Home loans, car loans, personal loans--all at a fantastic interest rate. Small, home town feel. We…read moreare lucky to qualify as a member.

What a great credit union to belong to! I rarely have to wait in line and the staff are all…read morefriendly and really care! Free home banking and free bill pay, so why would I ever bank anywhere else!

I''m 71 and remember, before online services, standing in line and doing the usual thing. Nothing…read moreparticular good or bad about those experiences stand out. Banks are banks. On December 11, 2023 I was let out of Lerdo jail after getting hauled in for Drunk in Public. Stay with me. I had been taken from my home late the night before in Tehachapi by ambulance on report by my wife I had suffered a head injury in a trip and fall at home. I had been drinking some, celebrating the fourth night of Hannukah. EMTs transported me in sweats and a thin t-shirt. I did not have my wallet or a phone. My wife provided the EMTs with my driver's license and medical insurance information. I had never ridden in the back of an ambulance and I was frightened during the trip and the blow to my head when I got to Emergency. I was goofing with the EMTs while I waited for about an hour to been seen by medical staff. Apparently the staff figured me for just being drunk and forgot about the injury. They later stuck me in a dark emergency room on a table and it became clear they were going to have me sleep off my "drunk". My wife of 52 years requires my care for basic needs. I decided to leave. The staff wouldn't have it; I was their prisoner apparently. An argument ensued and I was then asked to leave which I did. I didn't realize how cold it was that night since I'd been indoors that entire Sunday. There I was trying to make it the mile home in bare feet with no coat. I got a few hundred yards and local police pulled up. Was I glad to see them! I couldn't feel my feet in the near-freezing temperature of midnight. They promptly arrested me for being drunk in public and disorderly conduct at the hospital. The hospital called police on me "for my own good". Yeah, I suppose they would know that putting me out with shoes in that weather wasn't exactly for an old guys with a head injury's good. I spent that night and until midday on the 11th in Lerdo, about fifty miles from home. It was the first time I'd ever been jailed. It was uncomfortable, annoying and I couldn't sleep. It's jail. The jail staff was professional and more or less accommodating. I was provided rubber slippers and I stumbled out to get picked up by some sort of shuttle to deliver me to a regional bus station in downtown Bakersfield. I don't know Bakersfield, and I sure didn't know where Lerdo was from home. I was surprised to learn I had $61 in cash in my sweats when I got processed in at Lerdo. I figured I'd get that back when I got sprung. The kept that cash and gave me a check on discharge. What the heck was I going to do with a check with no ID and no phone to call my wife? I asked about at the bus place and learned there was a Wells Fargo on 22nd Street, which meant nothing to me in directional help but I soon saw the bank sign when I walked the couple of blocks. I'm not a Yelp reviewer. I've posted a couple of times in all these years and usually to say something good. I looked homeless when I got into the bank. A wonderful and kind young lady name Carolina listened to my story when I present my jail check. My wife and I are longtime Wells Fargo customers and at least one account is stuffed with a lot of money. Carolina and another wonderful lady named Jessica worked hard to figure out how to get that jail check cash. I mean, who the heck am I trying to dun someone's account with no ID? I was so embarassed for being a public miscreant, apparently, and I'm still embarassed by it. Jail for goodness sake. What a panic to get home, eat, shower and sleep and be with my wife. (She got a little sleep the night before and in the morning to call the hospital and they told her I wasn't there.) Carolina and Jessica made it happen. They had keen ideas about how to protect a customer's account and help me at the same time. They did it! They helped me phone my wife and she was going to come get me. She hasn't driven in four years but made it down the sketchy highway 58 and finally got me after a couple of times. During that time waiting I was welcome to sit in a comfy chair. Thank you, thank you, Carolina and Jessica of Wells Fargo!

No matter what day or what time this branch is ridiculous! Line of 11 people and ONE teller open!!…read moreAnd people just hanging around in the back doing other things!! Had to post since this is the third time this happens

Extremely helpful and understanding , my Mother has banked there for over 40 years , mom has fallen…read moreill and they take the time to help her with her affairs . Kind people who are not your typical Banking establishment . Can't say enough good things about everyone there

Jennifer was very helpful and went above and beyond to make my experience a good one. I would…read morerecommend Strata Credit Union to anyone!

Í walk-in to this branch with out my I'd or atm card .far from my home area…read more Hopping to speak to a manager to approve a withdrawal, Cassidy. Not only help me to add my atm to my electronic wallet. but she walked with me to the atm machine and helped me with my transaction, she was extremely helpful, I truly appreciate what she did for me. I was stress out big time , Cassidy Thank you so much.

Not open on Saturdays. :( No outside ATM. Downtown is very busy on the weekends as a lot of people…read moreare off of work and yet they are not open?...

Went to cash a check written from their bank and they demanded $8 to cash $37 check that was…read morewritten from their bank! There is a reason not to do business with BOA they steal from anyone they can. I recommend not punishing your customer By sending them to your bank if you bank with BOA.

Bank of America does a great job as a banking/lending institution. I mean, they've never lost my…read moremoney! But there biggest drawback is counter service. No matter how long the line might be, they usually have only two tellers, and never more than three. They really don't care how long you wait. Other than that, the tellers are knowledgeable and courteous.

I have recently opened an account here and everyone has been so kind. Ive been to two locations to…read moredo business and its been great at both. I am looking forward to continued good service and more services with them in the future.

Everyone at the Safe 1 Oak Street branch was so nice, helpful, and courteous. The staff made…read moreopening my account smooth and easy, and they explained everything clearly. My application was handled swiftly and professionally, and the whole experience was pleasant from start to finish. Thank you to the Oak Street team for such friendly and efficient service!