Community First Bank W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick

UPDATE 1/7/2020: My original review for Community First Bank was 5 stars. You can see why in my original review, below. I felt that I needed to update this after several years of what I consider to be a declining level of service. I will explain the changes that I've seen from what I outlined in my original review. First, the original commitment that I received from Community First has not been upheld. I was told that if the level of service that I was receiving should ever be impossible to maintain, that the customer service manager was authorized to hire more support. That manager has since retired, and when I talked to the person who took her place, I got a kind of lukewarm response to my question of whether I would continue to receive the same kind of support. Secondly, after having my account there for almost 14 years now, I am starting to experience the kind of "being treated like a number" experience. In that time, Community First has opened a number of other branches. They seem to be cashing in on hard work they did in the beginning. Was it all just a ruse to build a following, and now it's time to cut corners and cash in? I don't know. But my experience has definitely shown me that they are not the same bank that won my loyalty. I have since moved a trust account to them, and opened accounts for all of my minor children, but the oldest is turning 18 now and I'm actively looking for a better experience for them, and as we are required by law to closer the minor accounts when each child reaches legal age, we will be looking for a new bank for them going forward. The trust we set up there has a finite future, so after that, we will probably be looking for a new bank for my wife and I as well. My rating has therefore change from 5 stars (I love it) to 3 stars (it's "ok"). They are not far from 2 stars. I hope that my candid experience will help you to make a choice in looking for your next bank. Original Review: <snipped due to space limit---needed to add update> I opened my account there somewhere around 2006. I went in, a total stranger, and I was treated as if they already knew me. A mutual friend had told me that they would help me get my personal check cashed, and they did it, basically on my word after telling them that one of their customers recommended them to me. They didn't try to pressure me to open an account, and in fact all they did was when I thanked them for taking such good care of me, they said, "We are glad we could help. And if you ever decide to move your banking, we hope you will consider coming to us." That was it. I didn't open an account that day, but I did eventually get fed up with GESA, a couple of months later, I believe it was, I went back in, and was floored when Community First greeted me, BY NAME, and asked what they could do for me. I told them that I wanted to talk to someone about opening an account there. I got personal attention, and was told that I would always get personal attention. My wife and I, both, always get treated like friends--not like customers. I feel like we have a personal relationship with our account manager, even though we don't see each other very, very, often. When we have a problem, they take care of it. <snipped> I am a pretty critical person. I do believe that I am fair, but I don't give five stars lightly. When I find a product or service that I can give five stars to, I want people to know about it. I just fear that my review might influence more people to start using MY bank, and then it will get too big and impersonal. But even that fear has been put to rest. My account representative has told me that her boss has promised that when she feels that she has too many customers for her to give them the right attention, that she can hire another account rep. I don't even know if it has happened. She continues to take care us the same as the first day I walked in there. Community First is a part of our family. They know our kids, they want to know what our family is doing. We have a relationship. And that is rare anymore.

If you're a small business owner, THIS is the bank to be at. Most business owners I know go here. They can read self employed tax returns, service is amazing, often customized, they're flexible in a way big banks never are. Highly impressed. Top recommendation.

The best bank ever for small business owners! Never have I had a bank that works so hard to help me and my business be successful. A true community bank with outstanding service!!!

In comparison to the corporate banking experience, inconvenience, anonymity etc, one cannot help but see the difference in the CFB experience. From the time they first initiated the conversation of moving out business banking to their bank, the representatives were in MY office highlighting where they could be of service and what account types would fit best for me. There are NEVER lines in the branch, and every time I make a deposit I am greeted by name. Could not recommend highly enough-

Worst bank experience everytime. Don't even know why i have an account here anymore.

Great people and always reliable service.