Rebecca Garland
Rebecca Garland
Consumer Rights and Advocacy Expert

Customers rely on banks not only to keep their money secure, but also to make financial transactions simple and safe. To determine which bank is the best – and which is the worst, PissedConsumer recently analyzed 2776 survey responses. 

The ranking is based on three measures: issue resolution, customer satisfaction, and recommendation intent, combined into a single score.

Only companies with at least 50 valid responses for each survey question were included in the ranking; as a result, some large or well-known banks may not be represented. Using this information, we have compiled a list of banks with the best and worst customer service. Where does your bank land among our list of the worst banks

Content:

What Are the Worst Banks in the US?

To determine placement on the list of the best and worst banks, the rating was based on survey responses regarding overall issue resolution and customer satisfaction scores derived from customer reviews. Customers’ desire to recommend the company to others was also factored into the ratings. These factors combined gave us a comprehensive ranking. Detailed methodology outlined below.*

Based on consumer feedback collected by PissedConsumer, the banks that most frequently received complaints about poor customer service, unresolved issues, and low recommendation rates include CitiBank, Varo Money, GO2bank, Chase Bank, and Credit One.

Companies were ranked by overall customer satisfaction. So, what is the worst bank? Our results are in the chart. 

Company % of issue resolution CS satisfaction % % of recommendation Score
CitiBank 20 20.00 0.00 400
Varo Money 35.8 27.80 14.40 780
Credit One Bank 45.5 36.40 17.70 996
GO2bank 56.3 55.00 14.00 1253
Chase Bank 50 46.70 36.40 1331

CitiBank: “They’re holding my money hostage

At the bottom of the list of worst and best banks, customers have found CitiBank lacking in customer satisfaction and issue resolution. Currently, 0.00% of CitiBank reviewers would recommend the bank to a friend or family member. Overall, CitiBank has a 1.4-star rating out of 5 based on 885 bank reviews. 

While customers note that the bank offers good promotions and fair, competitive rates, they are extremely frustrated by customer service failures and long wait times. Customers are also very frustrated with account freezes and withheld funds.

For example, one customer opened a new account and deposited their paycheck using the mobile app. CitiBank then “decided to hold [the funds] for a week and a half.” This delay prevented the reviewer from seeking medical care or paying bills. 

I spent every day for week a total of six to seven hours on the phone.. and STILL GOT NOWHERE. 

Varo Money: “There’s absolutely no customer service available.” 

Varo Bank currently sits at the very bottom of this list of the best and worst banks according to consumers’ opinions. It is a digital bank offering traditional bank accounts and debit cards for consumers.

2416 online reviews for Varo Money on PissedConsumer.com have left the bank with a 1.7 star rating out of a possible 5 stars. And only 14.4% of users would recommend Varo Money to a friend or colleague. 

Customers like that Varo Money is online and that it is easy to work with the direct deposit features. However, customers struggle with finding ways to communicate with the company. Varo Money customer service resolves only 35.8% of customer issues and has a satisfaction score of 27.8%, according to survey respondents. 

One customer explains (#6910612) that the “app is constantly down” and that “there’s absolutely no customer service available.” The customer warns, “Don’t trust your money with these crooks.” 

Credit One Bank: “I want to speak to a human now

Over 660 customers reviewed Credit One Bank, praising the good deals and noting that the company resolved issues. However, customers are frustrated by recurring billing and fee disputes, account blocks, and complaints of fraud and identity theft by the company.

These issues have left Credit One Bank with a score of 1.4 out of 5 stars, and customers complain that only 45.5 percent of issues are resolved. One customer did find a resolution with the bank. 

The customer was confused (#6233605) about an email the bank had sent and had struggled to reach customer service. When they called customer service, the customer would get an “automatic message that does not help.” Eventually, the company did fix the issue and apologized. 

Go2bank: “You can’t get through to talk to anybody” 

GO2bank is another online bank near the bottom of our list. More than 600 reviews have given the bank 1.5 stars out of a possible 5. Customers complain most about a lack of human support and the potential for fraudulent activities in their accounts.

While some customers do praise the early direct deposit features, the GO2bank customer service satisfaction score is only 55%, and only 14% of customers would recommend the bank to a friend or colleague. 

In review #7104708, a user shared that their attempts to connect with customer service were not successful:

You can’t get through to talk to anybody. It goes to automated system and nobody can ever get on the phone. It takes forever to get on the phone where you can talk to someone to get help.

Chase Bank: “The absolutely worst customer service experience

Chase Bank is one of the largest financial institutions on this list, with both commercial and consumer services offered. Chase Bank currently has 2402 customer reviews on PissedConsumer.com, and 36.40% of customers claim they would recommend Chase to a friend or family member. These reviews have created a 1.7-star rating for Chase out of a possible 5 stars.

Customers frequently call the company about payments, charges, and other account issues, and 50% of these issues are resolved, as reported by consumers. While some customers praise the bank's convenience and accessible ATMs, many complain about poor customer service and security issues.

A Chase customer recently wrote that Chase has “the absolutely worst customer service experience” after the bank refused to cash a check that stated it could be cashed “at any Chase Bank location.” When the customer called a local branch to complain, they reported that the “manager actually hung up on me when I called!!!!”

What Are America's Best Banks?

Consumers ranked USAA, American Express, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Capital One as the top-rated banks. The same formula was used to rank the best and worst banks on this list, based on feedback on issue resolution and overall satisfaction.

Here is our list of the best banks as ranked by consumer input: 

Company % of issue resolution CS satisfaction, % % of recommendation Score
Capital One 57.1 52 39.40 1485
Bank of America 56.5 76.30 50.00 1828
Wells Fargo 63.6 61.10 66.70 1914
American Express 73.5 71.90 60.00 2054
USAA 71.7 75 60.70 2074

Capital One: “Hats off to Capital One”

One of the larger banks on this list, Capital One, earns more than $30 billion in revenue. The bank offers a range of financial services, including credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, savings accounts, and more. 

Capital One currently has a rating of 1.6 out of a possible 5 stars. This is based on 2.1k customer reviews. Despite some frustration with hidden fees and inconsistent account locks, 39.4% of customers said they would recommend the bank to a friend or family member.

Customers praise the support that is available over the phone and the user-friendly banking app. For example, one customer made two online purchases but never received refunds from the companies. Then they reached out to Capital One for help:

I called Capital One and explained the situation with both charges.The very helpful customer service person filed disputes with both companies. I do have wait up 90 days for final resolution but in the meantime, they have credited my account. Hats off to Capital One

Bank of America: “Persistent, polite, and helpful”

Bank of America scores well among consumers, landing it on our list of the best banks. The company currently has a 1.7-star rating based on 2.4k customer reviews left on the PissedConsumer website. 50% of the consumers would recommend this bank to a friend or colleague, and the overall Bank of America customer service satisfaction score is much higher at 76.3%.

While customers complain about app login issues and inconsistent branch treatment, many praise convenient locations and online availability.

While one customer was frustrated after “a back and forth between Customer Service, Fraud, and Accounts” when calling Bank of America, the customer was eventually “connected to a Cheryl” who was “very persistent, polite, and helpful in trying to help.” Sometimes one friendly representative can turn an entire customer service experience around. 

Wells Fargo: “Wells Fargo is excellent”

Another large bank with a long history in the United States, Wells Fargo in among the best banks on this list. Customers reported that 63.6 percent of their issues are resolved when they contact the company, leading to a 61.10 customer satisfaction score. 

Wells Fargo has a 1.6-star rating based on 2k reviews on PissedConsumer. Customers do complain about frozen accounts and high fees at times. They also express some frustration in trying to receive an advertised bonus, but ultimately, the customer service department and fast bank account transfers win out. Customers also noted the prompt fraud reversal when bank scams are detected. 

One customer discovered fraud (#6465476) with their debit card and reported it to Wells Fargo. 

Wells Fargo is excellent!! They handled my issue promptly and reversed the issue. I would recommend wells fargo to anyone

American Express: “The service and staff are very good”

American Express customers have given the company a 1.9 out of 5 stars. Customers might occasionally be frustrated by unexpected billing issues or fraud claims, but they can resolve these problems and account access issues with helpful customer service. 

Currently, 71.9% of surveyed customers are satisfied with American Express customer service, which closely aligns with the 73.5% of issues the company resolves. In addition to praising customer service, customers also appreciate the competitive interest rates on savings accounts and the American Express rewards program.

One customer shared that they wanted to close their American Express business card and called to customer service. Even though, they encountered an issue with email confirmation due to lost acess, they acknowledged that it likely required “more help than they can provide” and shared:

The service and the staff are very good, and I would recommend them... They were very helpful and said they would cancel my card/account and the service fee.

USAA: “Exceptional customer service” 

At the very top of our list of the best and worst banks, USAA scores 75% in customer service satisfaction. When customers call, 71.7% of their issues are resolved by the company, and almost 61% of customers would recommend USAA to a friend or family member.

Overall, the bank has a rating of 1.9 out of 5 stars based on 2.2k reviews. While some consumers are frustrated with scripted phone responses, higher interest rates, and insurance issues. Others consider the bank reliable, appreciate its security measures, and highlight positive customer service experiences. For example, in review #710986 consumer shared:

I say that USAA has the best customer service ever. Agents are always polite and eager to help me out.

Combining Financial Security with Customer Service

Customers are seeking high quality experience with all their service companies, and banks are no exception. The top banks on our list are those that provide solid products and care with financial matters, combined with excellent customer service. 

While issues with money will always be stressful, the best banks know that customer service can not only resolve the problem but also reduce the anxiety and anger that surface when customers feel their funds are in jeopardy. 

How do you find the best bank for your needs? Look beyond the basic services offered and investigate how the bank will support your needs as a customer. Reviews from others can tell you more about the quality of a bank than anything else, and you may be in a position to help others.  

Write a review and help others find a great bank or avoid working with one of the worst.

Survey Methodology*

PissedConsumer.com conducted an online survey among 893 U.S. visitors in 2024, focusing on their engagements with customer service teams to understand how consumers ranked the worst and best bank services. The report highlights responses to three key questions: issue resolution, customer satisfaction, and likelihood of recommendation (NPS score). Each company's analysis is based on a minimum of 50 responses per question.

To calculate the rating of the company with the best customer service, we multiply each of the above 3 factors by the given coefficient of 10. The formula:

Issue Resolution Score = % of Issue Resolution *10

Communication Satisfaction Score = % of Communication Satisfaction *10

Recommendation Score = % of Recommendation *10

Best Customer Service Rating = Issue Resolution Score + Communication Satisfaction Score + Recommendation Score

*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.

 

Legal disclaimers:

  1. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide any legal, medical, accounting, investment or any other professional advice as individual cases may vary and should be discussed with a corresponding expert and/or an attorney.
  2. All or some image copyright belongs to the original owner(s). No copyright infringement intended.

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Michael #17625
Of various major Financial Institutions BankOf America worst spent MANY Hours to legally Acquire parents AssetsMiss piss poor service to what it took to get the Assets after parents Died.
Helen #17973
After my husband passed, I was completing the financial end, Bank of America had a small savings account of his. The account was never used and had $1000. Bank of America treated me like I was robbing them. My final approach, the Clerk of Court, had to call and tell Bank ofAmerica to release $$ or face legal consequences. So I completely understand.
Anonymous #17627
Very important and informative article.
Shawn #17636
I dealt with synchrony Bank and their customer service was not only horrible but they ended up screwing me for over $1,000 holding me responsible for a debt that I never received an item for I fought it and fought it and to no avail. What I did learn is never do business with a bank that doesn't have a brick and mortar that you can go into and deal face-to-face with someone it's too easy to get blown off on a telephone
Marie Brooks #17644
I have found the synchronicity to be the worst credit card I've ever had. I was late twice less than 10 hours, my fault should have had it automatically with taken out of my account, nonetheless I paid within 24 hours the first time they forgave it second time I owed $29 on the card and they charged me $30 for a late fee when I paid at 11:00 the next morning.. I still have the card but I don't use it
Larry Sneed #17657
Truist bank should be on the worse list. They think your money is actually their money. Lost a wire transfer , refuse to give you your money.Agree also, Varo bank places a low priority on customer service.And don't even think about a dispute charge. !!!
Beverly J Miller #17659
Woodforest is the worst! We have been with them for 12 years. In these 12 years we've been hacked 5 times. We have since left them after this last incident in December 2024. Every penny and i mean every penny was stolen. Try having a cart full of groceries, you know what was in the account and you try to pay for them and all of a sudden your card was declined. I logged in and saw nothing but zeros. Almost 400$ gone!! I filed a dispute only for them to tell me they found no error!! Really??? I sent an email along with screenshots and they reopened the dispute. To this day it still isn't resolved. I want my money back!! $1700 was fraudulent transactions is alot
Zane Seligman #17667
Synchrony Bank got upset with after I called them out for closing my account for no reason at the beginning of the Pandemic- after they released a statement declaring how they would be there for their customers during that trying time. They proceeded to all but ruin my credit across the board. At the time I didn’t realize how big they were as they do most of the store credit cards, PayPal, and are even affiliated with a lot of other on-line banks.
Chris #17672
OK -- Your headline says "The Worst and Best Banks According to Customer Reviews".You list the worst -- where are the best?
John #17770
Agreed! The subject title was terribly worded, or perhaps it was worded that way to entice readers.Their response to anyone who asked, would be that they meant to say here’s a list in order from the worst of the worst banks to the best of the worst banks, lol!
mike dalena #17674
I have PNC. I was forced into it when they bought my original bank, BBVA. BBVA was based out of Spain and had wonderful, pro-consumer policies probably because they followed EU regulations. Not only were they a joy to work with the staff was incredible. The manager was helpful, thoughtful, and kind and modeled excellent behavior for his employees who were awesome as well. Unfortunately after PNC took over it became just another status quo bank with anti-consumer polices and apathetic employees. While it was BBVA the staff was never changing. After PNC took over all but one original employee left over the course of several months and the new staff, while friendly, is nothing compared to the old staff. They push you out of the bank and don’t really want you coming inside - they really want all business done through the ATM. They are not interested in their customers as people. Only as tools to acquire profits.
Roc #17690
I agree with the earlier comment. Where is the list of the "best" banks?
Keith Bashford #17723
Silly question the word “good” really can’t be used with the word bank.
Andrew Neil Perer #17692
Where is the list of the Best Banks mentioned in the headline? Even if it's general, the headline says best and worst banks. Thanks.
Barbara Fritzsche #17693
ok, DON'T STOP HERE... GIVE US THE BEST DOWN THE LINE!!
Eddy Guerrier #17695
There are banks and there is Chase. The way they drill you when trying to access your own money looks like they think they are the police investigating on a crook. The most amazing action was that they deny to add $7000 to my line of $5000 on a Mariott Bonvoy card after I cancel the amazon Prime which had exactly 7000 line of credit. And they denied it to a customer who has 823 credit score. To add to their abysmal service, members of customer service are arrogant and impolite. DO NOT CHASE THIS CRAPPY BANK.
Brenda wyatt #17698
What about Wells Fargo and mid Florida credit union at Navy Federal Credit Union?
Art #17702
Bank of America should not be called a bank period. It's over-rated, lies, scammers, overpaid CEO, has been sued by the Government several times many offenses.The worse bank of them all. As a customer for over 60yrs. I got out. Moved my money elsewhere.
Colleen Holmes #17710
Wells Fargo. Member for over 35 years without a late payment. Missed an $18.00 bill x's 30 days and the lower my maximne from $23,000 to $300.00
Linda beairsto #17720
What about banks in canada ie Alberta ?
C Hill #17721
The article was titled worst and best banks, but it only has the worst! Since I figured mine was one of the worst, it was, I wanted to see the best so I could open an account at one of those
mj Maire #17725
OK>. We've seen the worst in this article, but where o where are the best? (There probably aren't any.)
Janet Obrien #17726
I love the chase app it offers customers a good range of saving accounts 8 have found customer service brilliant and what I love best is the round up which as it suggests rounds things up to the pound I think and when you are a bit skint get the round up that has been saved love it