I'm actually really surprised it's taken me this long to write a review of HSB. My husband and I have been customers for over 10 years, we've had 2 mortgages, a HELOC, several different types of accounts and completed 3 closings with HSB. Every single one of these experiences was stellar! Clear communication done in timely manner, they know our names when we come to our branch. The people who work inside the bank are fantastic. Daily banking is easy and I feel like my money is protected, Fraud is no joke with this bank...the second it's detected I'm getting correspndence from the bank. The staff is wonderful from loan servicing all the way to the tellers (shout out McHenry north branch). Keep up the great work! read more

As a longtime Home State Bank customer, I am disappointed with their recent decision to discontinue their Tell-a-Bank phone account management service. As a longtime customer, I can recall many times where this telephone banking service option saved the day for me as an international business traveler. I recall the time while traveling overseas, when my flight back to Chicago ORD was cancelled, and I needed local foreign currency cash, until a new return flight could be made. With Tell-A-Bank, I was able to process a withdrawal, in local foreign currency, to tide me over until I could rebook another flight home. It was this kind of customer service that set HSB apart from other banks. John N. read more

611 main street location is terrible. After they moved across the street the service went down the tubes. Pulled up today to make a deposit at the drive up window, There was 3 (three) tellers in the bank and no visable patrons. I had to ring the call button after one of them looked at me and walked away to "Chat" with another teller in the building. Then the lady comes over and asks "How can I help?" in a snide tone...I had been sitting waiting for almost 4 minuets and there was nobody else around, Inside or in the drive up lanes. This used to be a stellar bank with great friendly service. I'm considering pulling my accounts and going over to US Bank. read more

Nothing but good luck with this bank for all products and services. ATM's always available. Business hours are not bad either. Great locations ! read more

I was with this bank for 20 years. I had my debit card compromised 6 times, within that time. (Online purchases and an ex-husband) They refused to give me another debit card and accused ME of fraud! They kept telling me fraud is at an all-time high. Well, PROTECT your customers! Very rude customer service at the old Crystal Lake branch. Closed my account after 20 years!! read more

Horrible service. No one can make a decision. They give one answer then backtrack with a completely different answer. Aggravation is their claim to fame. astonishing how inept this firm can be. how they've remained in business is beyond comprehension. Dealing with a deceased's estate has been a cluster F and such a nightmare. STAY away from these clowns. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. I've been trying to recast my mortgage loan for 6 months now. No one seems to know what they are doing or knows how to return phone calls or emails in a timely manner. Now my homeowners policy was just cancelled because they never paid it! I contacted them about it when I originally heard it was late and they said the sent it via Fed Ex. Now over a week later my policy is cancelled. Ridiculous! One good thing is Robert Gouwen. He has been amazing and has tried to help me every step of the way. He deserves a promotion. read more

No Friday late hours. And branch I. Main Street closed on Saturday. Highly disappointed.

Home State has provided me with two mortgages on rental properties. They have done an excellent job in managing the logistics and finding the right product for my needs. read more

HSB does layoffs all the time. Every six months. They treat their employees like garbage. They also have a incompetent sales staff.

I have waited months to get an answer from this bank . They kept saying it was due to no employees. Don't worry we have you taken care of. They outrage lied to me and now say it's a hood deal . How is that for a local bank? read more

Home State Bank has treated me well since 1994. There is something to be said about a bank that has been open since 1915. It last through wars, recessions, a depression and more. I have had accounts at other local banks, only to find them sold to some huge bank. Or one time my little bank was bought by a medium sized bank that was bought by a giant bank... either way and in both cases the customer service went to hell. Home State has always been consistent. I have had a checking account there for over 20 years. Recently I moved my business accounts there, have opened a line of credit, and am in the process of refinancing a few of my rental properties. The staff is always friendly and most of them know me by name, which is pretty cool. Definitely recommend building a relationship with this bank. They are a solid rock in the sea of ever changing financial institutions. read more

If I had the opportunity to give "zero" stars, I would. The mortgage person I was originally dealing with went to Home State Bank when were finally ready to obtain a loan. It is five months of my life I will never see again. The total lack of communication both within the bank itself and to the customer astounds me. We kept hearing "We will take care of you." "We have everything we need." "We are good to go." Let me tell you. They did not take care of us. Found out two days before we were supposed to close that we were not closing because we were not "clear to close." When I asked why at first all I was told was "you don't have clear to close." Then it comes out insurance documents were needed from the new association that he had been waiting for for "over a week." SERIOUSLY? This was the first I had heard of it and I am a paralegal. Never thought to call and tell me so I could get on it. Oh, and that original mortgage person we were dealing with? He "quit" prior to close (a/k/a was fired, I believe). The loan servicer would request documents that were REQUIRED to close, yet not return the calls of the real estate paralegal in my office handling the closing. When I brought this to the attention of the manager who took over for mortgage person, he said "That's not true!!!!" until I offered to walk down the hall and get the real estate paralegal on the phone to verify to which his response was "oh." Post-closing has been no better. I received a letter stating that they needed "proof of insurance" (!!!). When I called the manager that had taken over for mortgage person, he said he would find out and get back to me. I followed up with him and he never responded. I found a telephone number and after navigating a maze found a live body who couldn't have sounded more bored in order to resolve the problem. This was my 3rd experience as a Buyer and by far, the worst. If it wouldn't be such a hassle I would look to refinance already to escape them. I will say, fired mortgage person and the manager who took over for him were very, very nice. Just impossible to work with and I question whether they knew how to do their jobs. read more

I just had my mortgage refinance, I had a very good experience with this bank . My mortgage consultant Gary Lopez very professional in every way possible in handling my refinancing , his been in this position for a long time / the experience he provide , thrustworthy person will guide you thru the process . I recommend him to friends and relatives . If in need of mortgage just contact him. read more

Granted, this was years ago, but I really wanted to put this out there... I purchased a used car back in 2004, and was given a line of credit through Home State Bank. Back then, I was not the wisest with my money, or the best planner, so I had trouble paying on time... I'd say about 66% of the time I would pay on time... 50% of the remainder of the time I'd pay within the grace period. The other 50% of the remainder of the time, I'd pay before the due date of the next bill. I was not a model citizen for making on time payments, and I absolutely know that. However, one morning, I woke up to a repo man knocking at my door, serving me a paper that said my car was to be repossessed, per the lease agents orders. The problem I have with that, which I found out when it was too late, was that they illegally repossessed my car because in Illinois, one of three conditions had to happen to be able to order a repossession: 1. You had to be over 30 days in default. 2. You had to be found to have not had car insurance. 3. I can't remember because it was so long ago. All three of which, I was not at fault for. I don't necessarily blame the bank, although they did employ this leasing agent... I do blame the agent. He would make harassing phone calls and talk down to you as if you're a child. He was completely unprofessional. I believe his first name was Eric... For whatever that's worth. read more

Quickest, most efficient and friendly service in town from a great community bank. Continues to give back to the community through financial support as well as volunteerism. Great app that allows one to bank from home if they can't make it to bank. read more

Our medium-sized company has been using Home State Bank in Crystal Lake for many many years and I can't say enough good things about the people I work with there. They are nothing but helpful, courteous and really care about their customers. The employees have gone way out of their way to get things done for our company whenever needed. I would highly recommend using this bank for your company and personal needs. read more

Having had years of experience with Home State Bank's commercial lending for our local manufacturing business, I can attest to their top quality customer service! Home State Bank's employees are dedicated to assisting our medium sized company with courtesy and confidentiality whenever the need arises. I highly recommend Home State Bank. read more

I would leave no stars if i could. The original reason I left was due to their terrible non user friendly on line website. My mortgage was moved to in house and things were bad ever since. The reason that prompted this review is when I moved to another mortgage company, Home State took it upon themselves without my permission to take my escrow and put it towards my pay off balance. This changed all my numbers at closing. I tried to complain but as usual the said it's business as usual and it's their right. In my opinion that money was my escrow and they had no right to transfer it to themselves. I call that stealing. read more

I've had nothing but problems with this bank the last few years. I had both business and personal accounts and the last few years have been horrible. Accounts mysteriously being closed with no notification or warning, mixups on my business accounts, long hold times for customer service, customer service just not knowing what they are doing. I've been moving to Chase and it has been a much better experience read more

Like everyone else says If I could I'd give 0 !! The only thing that is keeping me at this bank is free checking and its a hassle to switch banks! Two times this bank has locked me out of my debit card at gas stations on the weekends! It is a smaller bank and they don't have 24-7 customer service. Also they are so late on my payday to release my funds to me! It is always between 8am and 9am. I asked them about this problem and they told me it's my employer not them. I later contacted my employer and learned it is in fact Home State Bank that is releasing my funds at that late time. Stay away from this bank! You're better off paying a fee to use a big bank like Chase! read more

Not friendly. Once they look at your acct and see that you have money they fake smile and act nice. Changed banks. Heard they do shady accounts. read more

If I could give them 0 stars I absolutely would, as well. It has been nothing but "we'll take care of yous" to "everything looks great." Mmmmm....not. There was no taking care of us. We were told to our face that if we were a bit short on the draw (we were building), that they would "work with us as long as all the money came in at the close." Mmmmm...not. We did happen to be a bit short and none of that help came through. I even heard a "maybe your builder can just change his numbers." That was actual advice from a loan officer. I understand the shortness of cash was on us, but the making promises that are not kept is unprofessional. This bank is NOT what it used to be. read more

Their morgage group is completely incompetent and negligent costing me time and money. Absolutely do not use them unless it is a last resort!! read more

My husband and I have been with Home State Bank in Crystal Lake for over 10 years now. Never have had a problem. Ever. We have our personal checking with them as well as an auto loan. Any time we've visited any of their branches, we have received nothing shy of smiling faces and top-notch customer service. We've banked with big-name country-wide banks before... where no one knows you - you're just an account to them. We will never give up the excellent personable treatment we receive with our hometown bank. read more

years and years ago it was my Mom's bank and at that time they offered her Haviland china pieces with her every transaction. 50 yrs later I still have full set of china.I recently opened a savings account and so happy with the gals that take care of me.. read more