I rarely write review because I thought it is time consuming, but this time I have to insist to write for the benefit of the Bank's clients: I had a very disappointing experience with Fremont Bank while applying for a HELOC. The process was frustratingly inefficient -- every time I submitted the requested documents, they came back asking for even more, as if nothing was ever enough to satisfy their endless list of requirements. My assigned representative, Michael Garrick, was particularly unhelpful. He was unresponsive, failed to follow up, and completely ignored my repeated requests (three times!) to speak with his manager. His lack of accountability and disregard for customer concerns made the entire process unbearable. It felt like he had no intention of helping or working in the client's best interest. The only thing he managed to do quickly was say no. I would not recommend Fremont Bank to anyone looking for a smooth or respectful lending experience. read more

I went into this bank yesterday to wire money. there was NO ONE in the bank, except one teller. it was probably 4:15 - 4:20. I told teller that I needed to wire money. he said he needed to get a banker. he walked into a door, returned a minute later and told me that the banker said it was too late??? excuse me, you're open, no one is there. So I have to go back today. Very POOR customer service. read more

I don't think it is fair to review this exact Fremont bank location based off of their loan rates, credit approval, the Fremont Bank general customer care phone line, etc. They are not in control of that at the Castro Valley location. It is fair to leave a review for this location based off of the customer service that builds the framework around this exact branch. I am always greeted as soon as I walk in the doors. The bankers are kind and I have never had an issue with their customer service. read more

I read these reviews prior to banking here and I almost got scared off. So glad I didn't and instead went with my own experience. It's been really excellent service each time. Recently completed our refi with FB as well and while it did take while to go through the many hoops - they're very thorough - they communicated great and we were so happy with our experience. We stayed on top of the todos on our end so it's definitely a collaboration but overall it was really outstanding service. read more

Not a very reliable bank. I found several issues with their ATM debit card security (fraud prevention) and their clearance system for approving new customers. I'm not a fan and will not patronize this bank/business in the future. Quite a bit of time went by before I realized how awful this bank's customer service, and efficiency handling disputes was. Quite awful. Not recommended. (review written by Linux IT security Engineer) read more

I can't download any photos because this is a bank. I'm afraid that if I took any pictures, I might get tackled! But this review is about this branch. And the people at this branch are very cordial. One of the staff took me to a public computer to go online and use the Fremont Bank service. It was so informative that I have learned to do my banking from home now. When I do need to go to the bank, I like to come to this branch because of the personal service they provide. The only drawback so far is the limited parking... only about 5 spaces for customer parking - less when the adjacent business customers park in the bank customer spaces. read more

This banks suckkkkkks.....The bank manager is a jerk no customer service having ass. We have been waiting for three weeks for these people to at least call us and let us know if we have gotten approved or not. They kept saying that they called us and left messages.Total liars...I will never step foot in a Fremont bank again especially the Castro Valley branch.The manger said that they were busy all day long that's why they couldnt answer our calls..I walked in shortly after I called him from my cell phone and there were no custmers.I cant stand liars....I am going to patelco down the street. read more

Very bad customer service I wanted to close my account and they said call the customer service number. I called customer service who said go to the branch. Very unhappy with this bank I recommend avoiding this location read more

I love the Castro Valley location. Friendly staff and great customer service. Great job! Thank you!

I'm not sure how else to review their investment Rep Matthew. What a pain in the a$$ to move investments. It's my money Ive never had an issue before moving my investments. I stared this process in April, I was told by Matthew "I can't help you". So I reached out to higher up. Very receptive to my concerns and got the ball rolling. Only for them to drop it so frustrating I don't see a benefit to Fremont Bank unless maybe your funding a mortgage. But since I fall short of that I'm still trying to work things out with LPL. I started another roll over after I started this one and it's done & deposited into my Fidelity before Matthew even started the process for me. JUST SAY NO TO INVESTMENTS!! Don't do it it's UGLY! read more

Fremont Bank has great refinancing options. Although it not be the BEST rate in town. It usually is close, and there are no closing costs or points. We opened a checking account here after our refinance because we were offered a $100 visa gift card. The teller asked if we wanted checks we said no, but she said the first 50 are free, so I said sure. We were sent 150 checks and charged $12.00 to our account. I called and complained and got to the manager. After speaking to the manager he promptly found a solution I was very happy with. Thank you Roger. read more

I just won't to say this is a great bank and when customer service wasn't that professional on the phone I visited this branch and Kelly M. Was able to help me out on fixing the issue very professional and awesome customer service. read more

Fremont Bank's managers are terribly rude to some customers, they only pay good attention to the big customer like merchant customer who have big accounts. I was there to cash a check, it took nearly one hr. They made you waited and waited. Staffs and managers are poorly trained. read more

Manager is politely rude and staff is judge mental only one who is any help is the older women that's sits in the back she is the only one with genuine customer service and no I don't want no fucking water read more

I recently opened an account at this branch because I wanted to have auto deduct for my mortgage. I was greeted by Saundra Gregory who was a delight to work with. She spent over an hr helping me set everything up. We ran into some issues but she never lost her patience and got the job done! She is always there if I have any questions! Fremont Bank is lucky to have her on their team! That's what I call a "personal banker" read more

Closing account after 20+ years. Noticed monthly service charges less than 30 days apart (24 days). UNETHICAL. Called CustomerSupport. First operator wouldn't access account because I didn't give the magic word(account was set up prior to code words) and refused to escalate to a supervisor- just hung up on me. Called back got a better CustomerSupport person who was more helpful. As I am no longer in the Bay Area (thank God) I have no need for a bank whose customer service has fallen down. Note: I originally became a customer because my previous bank shut their door in my face (and two other customers) before closing time. Do not tolerate poor service. I recommend Unify credit union. read more

If you are thinking about refinancing with fremont bank, don't hesitate. The transition was seamless. They answered all my questions with answers that made me feel more confident about my refinance. Initially I thought it was too good to be true but everything worked out great. Thanks! read more

I had a terrible experience at the Castro Valley branch. I went to the bank to cash an employer issued check. The banker, Miriam, spent 5-7 minutes trying to convince me to open a checking account with them. She went over all the perceived advantages from direct deposit to no ATM charges. Meanwhile, I'm wondering what's taking so long to issues the funds. After another 10 minutes watching Miriam go through several inquiry sites on two computers, I asked if there was an issue. Miriam then proceeded to call the HR department at the job to verify that the check was issued to ME! Now, I have to say that I'd already given her several forms of ID. I submitted my employee ID with name, photo and agency info; my state issued drivers license with photo AND my credit card! After Miriam experienced serious confusion from the HR department (because they don't verify issuance of checks), she was at a loss. I started to become visually and verbally irritated as now it's been about 20 minutes. A senior banker sees the confusion and hears my discontent. He takes over, looks something up in his computer and issues the money. Of course he white-splained it by saying Miriam just wasn't explaining the process correctly and may have been calling the wrong department. It seems to me that they should be verifying if the agency has the money to payout, not whether or not I work there. This agency issues plenty of checks on a daily basis to people who don't "work there." Why would you be calling HR to verify issuance of a check? If anything, wouldn't that be the accounting department? Regardless, as the recipient of a check, who provided several forms of photo-ID, why am I being investigated beyond the norm and made to feel like a criminal? Am I not allowed to redeem a check issued from your bank without a full on background check? I think this was an example of social injustice and discriminatory practices. We were all good until I refused to open an account with Miriam B. Seems I was good enough to hear how fabulous Fremont Bank is compared to other banks but not good enough to cash out and walk away! I would not recommend this branch at all! I will say, the branch manager was very apologetic but I was still left with a feeling of needless investigation related to socioeconomic and racial bias. Sad that these issues are alive and well but no surprise. The Castro Valley branch gets 1 star. If the branch manager hadn't been so kind and apologetic, they wouldn't even get that. I suggest they follow Starbucks lead and get Miriam B. some cultural sensitivity and best practices/policy training before they find themselves involved in some social action! Miriam needs to stop being so overly investigative when someone just wants their money. You don't need to know if I have direct deposit, if I have other accounts, how long I've worked there, etc. Give me my money. Sometimes it is just that simple. read more

I was very impressed by how professional the staff was. I came in to open an account and I was in and out in under 30 minutes and I even got my first order of checks for free! read more

They have disabled access to my credit card several times without telling me first. The first few times was because of suspicious activity on my account, usually after I bought expensive items. I fully understand why they do this, but they never contacted me when they did it. I had to find out by myself by having my credit card declined. Final straw was last week when they closed down access to my credit card once again. When I asked them why the next day, they said that they issued new student credit cards to students and that I was supposed to receive one in the mail last week. I wasn't given a phone call or a letter about this new format they were doing. Just like the other times, I found out when my credit card was declined. My brother who goes to the same bank as me and is a student as well didn't get his new credit card either. Same thing happened to few other people that I know. Now I'm switching to Bank of the West. Would not recommend. read more

WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! Originally,We were suggested to go to this branch for our home re-fi . My wife and I have good credit ,and since rates were dropping, I figured "why not?!" Lorie Dunn the loan manager,corresponded to me via telephone only. She assured us that we would have nothing to worry about and that we should proceed in paying the $395 application fee,so that we could get started. She insisted that this "No cost" loan was the smart way to go. We told her that we thinking of waiting a couple months,so that we could pay off a number of our high debt credit card balances first,but Lorie insisted that by the time this loan finalizes we would still have the option of doing so,and we shouldn't worry. We started to feel uneasy,but she told us,that this was typical in re-fi's and that there wouldn't be any issues. She told us that we should NOT pay off anything,but instead to wait until this loan finalizes.We told her that what she was saying to us really didn't make sense,and that we were afraid of paying for the application fee,only to be denied in the end because of a technicality such as this. Lorie insisted that this was all normal and that we should pay the fee so that she could start working on the loan.Well... No sooner did we pay,than Lorie channeled her assistants to ask the same questions over and over again from us.It seemed like this loan application went on for almost a month.They never even had our home appraised,yet we were told everything was being done at their end to ensure quick results. Finally after five weeks,we were given an answer: "We are sorry,but your loan application was denied because of your debt to income ratio". WHAT?!!!! We have the cash to pay off all these credit cards,but Lorie told us not to! We feel like we were robbed! When We came into this branch,everyone treated us with respect. Of coarse,Miss Dunn was not available,so we actually never met her! We do not have high opinions in regards to Lorie Dunn. My suggestion? Unless you have perfect credit,have a home value that exceeds 70% to your debt, and have all your bills paid off to zero balance , stay clear of a "no fee/no point " loan ! read more

I love Fremont Bank but this one is a plus. Everyone there gives more than customer service. They really get to know you. Special thanks to Rosie and Charisse for helping to give me peace of mind while turning a mentally and emotionally draining disaster into a simple hiccup. read more

Left a "big bank" in search of something better. Thanks to a suggestion by a good friend, I got what was looking for and just a bit more at Fremont Bank. Opened a checking account with Sarah's assistance last week. I was pretty impressed with her help and I ended coming back in few days later to open my teenage son his own account. I'm looking forward to banking with Fremont Bank! read more

Dec 2013 deposited $ 20,000 personal check. I was told it may take up to 20 days to clear my check. Dec 2014 deposited $ 20,000 CASHIER`s check. I was told I can draw only $5,000 and the $15,000 will take from Dec 4 to 15 to clear. I was told this is federal regulation. I was told by another bank to end the misery and change to a better and efficient mortgage bank. read more

I have had several frustrating experiences with Fremont Bank but this last one prompted me to write. On Tuesday morning I deposit 2 checks for deposit into the ATM machine. Nothing shows up in my account that day or the next. On Thursday afternoon my account shows 4 entries of ATM Deposit Return. I call customer service and they tell me that the checks can't be deposited because only 1 person has signed the check. The checks were made out to my husband and FBO ( For the benefit of) my son. I explained that I have been depositing these types of checks for 6 years and have never had a problem. Our FBO account is a college fund for my son who is away at school, but can also be set up for someone who is disabled or unable to read or write. The first person is responsible for the deposit and the second will eventually receive the proceeds. Wouldn't you think that a bank should know this??? On Friday I receive a legal tender copy of my check in the mail which I promptly took down to Citibank where they deposited both checks without any problem. If it wasn't such a hassle, I would change banks in a heart beat. read more

Well, I switched to Fremont Bank to get away from major banks. Although tellers are very nice and helpful, I can't say the same about their 1-800 customer service. Twice they totally misled me. Total ignorance. But final straw came when I needed their help in reversing card charges which were made to my account by fraudulent Internet company. They started right: they cancelled my card and sent me a new one and also reversed charges temporarily pending paper work I had to finalize. I did everything required of me plus police report and delivered everything to the local branch where one of the teller faxed it to appropriate person. A week or so later I got a letter stating that they did not receive requested paper work, so my account will be charged again for the amount previously reversed. I made many phone calls, repeatedly left messages, wanted to talk to that person. She never called me back and sure enough charged my account. The very next day I closed my account. Opened one with local credit union and never looked back:) read more

These people are awesome! They saved us $20k on a refi of our home. Another lender wanted points, Fremont Bank even payed the closing costs of the refi for us. $0 out of pocket for the package we decided on. From the start with David, to working with Anna, to signing with Christine, and finally working with Rosie to also open an account. These people truly know what customer service is. I say good-bye to the big banks and work with the smaller community banks, you get the right service and they actually help you get the right loans for your needs. Thank you Fremont Bank employees, you make this a good experience for us the customer. Old style banking, customer first, what a concept! read more

I had a bad customer service experience at the Castro Valley branch trying opening a new account. To briefly summarize: I was quoted one savings rate on the phone, later that day with Cashier's Check in hand I arrived, but was told I was required to open a second account, then sent to a notary outside of the bank and wasn't able to get documentation that the rate was guaranteed rate for the first 12 months as stated. I was made to wait until the next day to finalize the transaction due to what seems like bad bank procedures, poor training or bad judgment. The next morning (not having received the promised phone call) I went back and was told the rate dropped by .25%. By this time I had spent several hours trying to get the account opened. I didn't believe the story about they didn't know about the new rate. The branch manager seems very insincere and phony with her "I am sorry statements". The original quote should have been provided, as I provided the information to open the account on the first day. Clearly it was the bank's fault. After consideration I felt lied to by both employees. Later today, a follow up call was make to another branch and was told the updated terms of the account (Interest rate and term) were sent to the Branches 11 day earlier. So it seems rather clear these employees were not honest. read more

Absolutely horrible mortgage department. Delay, delay, delay. My agent kept having to send them 'demand to perform' notices to get them to do anything. They claimed to have ordered the appraisal then said it wasn't ordered. Then claimed they ordered it again, but never did. We kept going round and round until giving up and going elsewhere. It's not worth the trouble and risk of losing the home because of their ineptitude. read more

WOW!!!! Just opened two accounts for my sons and had one of the BEST experiences ever. In my opinion ROSIE JIMENEZ is an absolute gem. She is a true people person that shows professionalism every step of the way from start to finish. What could have been a little long and tedious process for my two young boys ended up being an awesome experience for all three of us. ROSIE is such a warm and friendly person with such a great personality. We are going to tell everyone we know about our great experience. specially all the younger people in high school and middle school that are going to open their first accounts. I truly hope ROSIE gets to read this. ROSIE, YOU ROCK!!!! And, i would also like to give JOANN a special shout out. Great customer service. read more

Although the tellers are all very nice, the wait at this branch is nothing like I've ever seen, consistently! If you're in a hurry, call because you will be late. In most banks, tellers handle deposits, withdrawals, etc. and keep the line moving efficiently while others handle the more time consuming and complicated banking needs. Not here! The tellers handle all transactions no matter how long it takes. There are normally two tellers working and the wait is normally a minimum of 5 minutes. I have waited up to 20 minutes to do a simple deposit. Come on Fremont Bank...can't all the people sitting around doing nothing help out? I know there are things to be done but when there's a line to the door, can't they help???? read more

'nough said!!! ugh!! ATM can't use, check deposit can't clear right away. I've only been banking for a little two months and all these issues are happening.. they are not a priority bank for me. I'm only puting minimum direct deposit based on their requirement. I have not gotten a chance to close my savings account either. there's no reason to keep savings account they cannot waive the monthly fee. oh yeah, I went to the branch and as of today they have not lift a hold on my card. i can deposit but i can't withdraw. only because i deposited my bonus check on ATM. read more

I was one of the unlucky customers that received a letter in the mail from Fremont Bank on December 14th stating that my card had been used at a Lucky's, and because of the scam that stemmed from that store, my card was cancelled and they would be sending me a new one in the next 5 to 7 days. For one thing, I do not frequent Lucky's. I went once about six months ago. They cancel my card via mail and with a little over one week before Christmas?? Also, this scam took place over three weeks ago and they are NOW doing something about it?? Seriously!! So, I finally get my card in the mail on December 21st with a letter instructing me on how to activiate it by phone. Great, did it!! I go to Target the next day and guess what, it doesn't work. I go to a Fremont Bank ATM to try and activiate it that way, and guess what, it doesn't work again. I walk into the branch and the teller said she will have to reset the password to make it work. My husband said there was a guy in line behind him on Friday that was just as frustrated because he had to come in to do the same thing. I know that Fremont Bank was trying to save themselves a few bucks, but right there, they lost big points with me!!! read more