We have been customers of SVB since 2015 as real estate investors. What I have respected the most about SVB and all the people in their organization is the professionalism and thorough attention to detail. SVB is not a large bank, it is a community organization viewing customers as part of their business. They KNOW YOUR NAME not your ACCOUNT NUMBER. I thought that was extinct in the banking industry. We own multiple rental properties in urban Cincinnati. As we have grown and expanded, our loan agent, Dave Whittkamp has been quite thorough in asking our goals at each point of growth. This attention to detail beyond the just the financial logistics of the SVB and government required loan application process has been an invaluable process. Dave's detailed questions have caused us to think about details raised in his questions making him a trusted resource. He has never tried to act as an advisor, the perspective of his questions are points we wouldn't have otherwise thought of but have been invaluable and protect both SVB's interests as well as making our own growth more solid. In the crazy world of big banks, SVB and every member of their staff, Joann, Lynn, Dave, Remo and too many more to name here feel more like trusted resources than a bank to which we owe money. You won't find a better resource than the people of Spring Valley Bank! read more

My boyfriend went in to cash a check that was issued by this bank and written by one of its own customers. Instead of explaining the bank's policy, he was immediately told they couldn't cash the check and was directed to go back to his own bank--even after he explained that his bank had specifically instructed him to bring the check to the issuing bank. After he came back outside, I went in to try to help. I explained that the person who wrote the check was a customer at this branch. The employees even told me they knew her personally. I suggested they simply call her to verify that she had written the check, but they refused. We then drove to the customer's home, explained what had happened, and she returned to the bank with us. Once she arrived and confirmed everything, the check was cashed without issue. What was most upsetting was that no one apologized for the inconvenience or acknowledged how we had been treated. Instead, after we left, the bank contacted the customer to let her know we had come in to cash the check. That left us feeling as though we had been viewed with suspicion despite presenting a legitimate check and ultimately having the customer herself verify the transaction. The entire experience felt dismissive and disrespectful. My boyfriend, in particular, felt he was unfairly judged and stereotyped from the moment he walked in. Every customer and visitor deserves to be treated with professionalism, respect, and without preconceived assumptions. I hope management reviews how situations like this are handled, because no one should have to go through what we experienced just to cash a legitimate check. read more

They removed the ATM and canceled all Saturday hours (previously were open Sat mornings). It is nice to walk in and talk to a person, but the changes they have made recently are not customer friendly. We have been customers since 2011, and we are looking for a new option. read more

Unlike some Banks and Credit Unions, a real live person actually answers the phone at Spring Valley Bank. Today, that is truly uncommon. Moreover, if you make a physical appearance, an associate is very quick to acknowledge you and assist with your banking needs. Let me contrast that with GECU. If you call any of their branches, you are immediately placed on hold for what seems to be an eternity. Want to go to one of their branches? You will be greeted by someone in front which I liken to a triage at the emergency room. This person "helps" you be directed in the right direction. Want to open a new CD at GECU? Uh oh, do you have an appointment? No. Okay, have a seat and go die on the vine. Let's compare CD rates at this writing. GECU, one year jumbo pays 4.75%; Spring Valley Bank 11 month, $10,000 minimum pays 5.4%. Bottom line: Go to Spring Valley Bank today and you will be wowed. read more

have never been more disappointed with an institution. I was approved for a loan, but once the president David Wittkamp was made aware of the neighborhood I was looking to purchase in (predominantly black neighborhoods), his whole demeanor changed. He began to say how the company only lends to "buyers in the suburbs". He then began to back track and try to change his statements. I was told he didn't want to lend to me because I may walk away from the loan, and leave them with the burden of selling the home. I was told over and over I was being argumentative. I immediately felt discriminated against. As previously stated I was approved, but when I asked for pre approval letters to make offers, I didn't receive any type of response. As a result, I had my realtor communicate with him. He voiced, he didn't think I was serious and he was busy working with more experienced investors. Once my realtor vouched for me, he preceded to ask her " well how well do you know her?" When I called to discuss my concerns, with the negative comments he made to my realtor I was told to find another institution. I do not appreciate how I was treated and I strongly feel if I was older, of a different race and looking to buy in a nicer neighborhood I would have been treated more respectfully. I would never recommend to bank to anyone! read more

I had a deal to purchase a duplex next door to the one that I currently own. I went to Spring Valley because they are supposedly known as a bank that does hard money loans for fix and flip, buy and hold investment properties and I have a business account with the bank. The particulars on the deal are as such: The seller wanted 75k. One unit was rented with rents at $750per month. The property needed about 30-40k in repair/upgrades, and this was a high side(eyeball) estimate to leave room in case of any hiccups. I have 63k to secure the deal in which to purchase the property at 15% through the bank and secure the additional funding for rehab. I had 27k cash on hand to close the deal at 5% above their requirement if need be. I submitted the contract, waiting weeks for title search etc. to close the deal. I never got a call, so I emailed a woman at the branch to check the status of the deal. She emailed me back saying she didn't know anything, and she'd check on it for me. I then suddenly get a call from Dave Whittkamp saying, "the underwriter didn't want to do the deal" and when I asked why, he said he didn't know and promptly ended the phone call. About a week later I got a letter in the mail stating the loan was denied for insufficient collateral. In disbelief, I called the bank and got the run around and no answers. So, let's recap: 75k selling price, with the additional monies to rehab, what they stated in their letter 105k would be the price, cause it looks like they would only agree to 30k for rehab. So that's $25,200 to seal the deal, with a note at 10%, the monthly payment of $737.16 would be covered by the current tenants rents at $750. Needless to say, the property was purchased, and the current owners, who are White, did exactly what I intended to do. The tenant is still in place, rents have gone up and the unit that needed rehab is completed and on the market for rent. For the fact that this deal was solid and the bank has given no real indication as to why they would deny it, screams prejudice to me. Back tracking a bit, I was warned by a real estate agent about them. He is also Black and said he despised Spring Valley bank, but he wouldn't tell me why. That was a red flag ignored. They may be an investors bank but they surely don't seem to do business with Blacks. read more