FirstBank Florida - Pembroke Pines S Flamingo Rd, Pembroke Pines

Greetings, we are a small minority owned company based in Pembroke Pines Florida. We went through the SCORE program as a new start up business, after we were ready and in compliance we were sent to SBA to get a PPP and EIDL loan. SBA sent me to First Bank in Pembroke Pines as the official representative of the SBA loans. I went in spoke with Mr Young he was extremely polite and very professional however I was told that because I am a small company and didn’t have the proper paperwork at the moment he didn’t have time to explain it to me, that he has other clients that are ready so I was turned away and even discouraged from applying for the loan because I was not qualified. I called him sent him several emails trying to get help however no replies and I was turned away with no help and was not allowed to open my account for reasons not explained or received any help, so I had to study the loan process myself we eventually received the loans however without the help of First Bank. 12/7/21 9:30 Am I went back to First Bank to open a business account. because they came highly recommended by my accountant and we wanted to invest in the community by banking small, I walked in and told the teller I wanted to open an account she went to the back started whispering to Mr Young for a good period and I was told I had to make an appointment first.. there were absolutely no customers in the bank at all so I asked could I open the account now, She lets see and proceeded then I was told I can’t open the account because I didn’t have Sr on my license and on Sun Biz it’s on there, after that I showed her my SS card showing it on there, then she said I can’t open it because it’s an internet business I have to wait to get it approved.. I tried to explain that We are a contracting transportation company with buses this is not an internet based company… I begged her to try and understand because I had to get back to work and we needed the account because we have nowhere to receive our funds atthe moment however, because we were labeled as an internet based company by her we couldn’t open the account in a timely matter I left the bank at 1:35 pm waisted a whole day just to be told by Mr Young that he is sorry but if I need the account today I should open it with another bank .. the reason is because the teller already labeled my account as an internet company and the paperwork has already been turned in … now I’m at TD Bank and opened my new account in less than an hour with Pedro Kruger NMLS ID #1376792.. I find it very discouraging that the five stars that this bank has received are all Latin based. I sat there in the lobby waiting to be helped while others came in greeting with respect, professionalism and patience that I desperately needed. I’ve been trying desperately for over a year to open an account there because it’s in my community and close to my home.. however we are always turned away by this bank. I highly discourage young minorities and starting entrepreneurs (except the Latin community) to patronize this bank. This Bank is very friendly and professional to customers Mr Young feels are working professions.

Richard at this branch is professional and provides a high level of customer service. He was a class act in helping my family following my grandmother’s passing. I recommend banking here.