First Choice Bank (So Calif) -- Very Nice Local Bank (At Least For CD Accounts)

Just a quick post here. People rarely post when a bank does something good, and I thought First Choice Bank deserved a quick mention here. Note that this has to do only with a CD account, I have no idea what the bank is like with their checking or savings accounts.

My dad wanted to open a CD with them a few years ago, as at the time they were offering a CD with a good interest rate (among the highest). I drove my dad down to a branch (about 45 mins from where we live) but it was a few days later that we actually went down to the branch (if I remember right, it was the following Monday) by which time the rates had lowered. But.. the teller was very nice to my dad, and offered him something half way between the old rate and the newer (lower) rate -- something they surely didn't have to do, as it was the following week and the rates had dropped. But they met us halfway.

Then when it came time to close the CD recently, their rates had dropped somewhat, and there was a rate special going on at another institution, so my dad wanted to transfer the money to another institution. Because he didn't have a savings or checking account with them (only a CD account), ACH wasn't really a choice (also because of the amount), so a wire would have to be used. Normally they have a wire fee (I forget if it's $20 or $25 normally) -- but when my dad went to close the account, they actually waived the transfer fee for him, smiled, and were very friendly.

Now don't take this to mean this will happen for everyone (YMMV). But I just thought that was really nice of the bank to do -- on both occasions. We didn't have savings or checking with them (because their branches are kind of far for us) but whenever I called or went into the branch with my dad for the CD, they were always helpful, and really friendly.

Over the last few years they've had some good rates, and if they offer some good deals again, I won't hesitate to go back to them. If you live close to them, I think they're at least worth considering.