Rebecca Garland
Rebecca Garland
Business and Education Expert

Americans have many choices for how to save, invest, and store their money. From local credit unions to global conglomerates, consumers are always looking for reliable banks where their money is safe.

Unfortunately, consumer issues tell us that all banks are not equal. With so many options, and so many disappointing reviews about those options online, we dug into the feedback to find the best banks for customers – and the worst. 

Among the many PissedConsumer features available, we used the overall bank ratings based on customer reviews and their volume to determine a bank’s position on this list. To help consumers make informed decisions about their banking, here are American banks from worst to best. 

Key Insights

8. PNC Bank: “Treated me like garbage”

Number of PNC Bank Reviews – 871

PNC Bank rating* – 1.4 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 2

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earned $21.1 billion in revenues in 2022. The bank offers a range of services including loans for cars and mortgages as well as standard checking and savings accounts for consumers. 

PNC Bank rating

PNC Bank currently has 871 reviews on PissedConsumer.com, and 91% of those reviews are negative. Those reviews have left the company with 1.4 out of a total of 5 stars. Currently only 17% of reviewers would recommend PNC to a friend or colleague. Similarly, PNC Bank customer service also earned only 1.4 out of 5 possible stars. 

Top customer concerns related to PNC Bank

Customers complain that PNC will not fix mistakes and that the company overall is “difficult to work with” even if some branch employees are friendly. Some customers find the opposite to be true, with the corporate offices being more helpful than local branches.

One customer recently complained about a “horrible experience” with a local branch manager. The customer said that the branch manager “treated me like a piece of garbage” and said that the customer’s situation “was not on his priority list of things to do.” When the customer called the customer service corporate complaint line, however, he found PNC to be “very helpful and empathetic.”

7. Synchrony Bank: “Synchrony reps were entirely dismissive and unhelpful.”

Number of Synchrony Bank reviews – 1357

Synchrony Bank rating* – 1.4 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 14

Working entirely online, Synchrony Bank is part of the larger Synchrony company. Synchrony is a large provider of credit cards as well as online savings accounts for consumers. 

Synchrony Bank rating

Synchrony Bank has a total of 1357 online reviews from customers. These reviews have left the company with a total rating of 1.4 stars out of a possible 5. While 90% of these reviews are negative, 35% of customers would still recommend Synchrony Bank to a friend or family member. 

Poor customer service is listed as one of the top consumer issues for Synchrony. Currently, Synchrony Bank customer service has a rating of 1.3 out of a possible 5 stars. 86% of customers report being able to reach a real person when they call, and 17% of issues were ultimately resolved with the bank. 

Top customer concerns related to Synchrony Bank

Customers complain about issues primarily with Synchrony Bank credit cards and customer service. While some customers are pleased that the bank simply answered the phone when they called, others are frustrated by what they consider poor or even unethical practices.

In the review #5916792, a customer had an Amazon store credit card with Synchrony for years. Even though he “never missed a payment” and “paid [the card] off several times”, Synchrony Bank “determined I had too much credit and lowered my limit.” Ultimately the customer cancelled his account. 

6. GoBank: “Money disappeared from my account”

Number of GoBank reviews – 3247

GoBank rating* – 1.5 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 15

Moving further along in our bank comparisons, GoBank offers an entirely digital experience to customers. With no branch locations or conventional hours, customers can use the app, ATMs, or other banks to complete financial transactions. 

GoBank rating

PissedConsumer users have left 3247 reviews about GoBank. 88% of those reviews have been negative and only 15% of reviewers would recommend the company to a friend. Overall, GoBank has a rating of 1.5 stars out of a possible 5. 

GoBank customer service also scores poorly with a rating of 1.3 out of a possible 5 stars. Customers have made more than 12,700 calls to the company but only 9% of issues are resolved. 

Top consumer concerns related to GoBank

Customers claim it is easy to open an account with GoBank, but are frustrated by just about everything else. The top concerns about GoBank include being unable to reach a company representative, no online customer service, no humans to speak with, and some feel the company may be fraudulent. 

One customer left the review #5214999 that their funds “disappeared from my account” and for days he was told it was “a technical issue and should be resolved soon.” 

Biggest mistake was getting this bank, they hold money for 2 weeks and then state it been returned it doesn't show for days.

5. Capital One: “Wrong charge and rude customer service”

Number of Capital One reviews – 2150

Capital One rating* – 1.6 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 16

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 rating

Capital One currently has a rating of 1.6 out of a possible 5 stars. This is based on 2150 customer reviews. Of those reviews, 85% of them are negative. Despite that, 37% of customers said they would recommend the bank to a friend or family member.

Top consumer concerns related to Capital One

66% of customers say that they won’t use the bank in the future and many customers cite Capital One customer service as the primary issue with the company. It is currently rated 1.4 out of a possible 5 stars. 

For example, one customer claims the bank “double-charged me for a significant amount,” however customer support was not really helpful.

I called someone tonight for help as the charge still hit…he [the customer service rep] was rude and didn’t care about my situation… He said that he had already told me he couldn’t do anything..

4. Chase Bank: “A nightmare to deal with”

Number of Chase Bank reviews – 2399

Chase Bank rating* – 1.7 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 19

Firmly in the middle of the pack, based on our customer reviews for banks, Chase Bank is one of the largest financial institutions on this list with both commercial and consumer services offered.

Chase Bank Rating

Chase Bank currently has 2399 customer reviews. 83% of rated reviews are negative, but 43% 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.

Chase Bank customer service has a lower rating with 1.4 stars total out of a possible 5. Customers frequently call the company about payments, charges, and other account issues, and 20% of those calls are successful. 

Top customer concerns related to Chase Bank

Customers find that the convenience of Chase is a pro, especially the number of ATMs available. But most reviews cite customer service as a serious flaw for the company. 44% of users think that Chase should improve its customer service.

For example, one Chase customer recently had a flood in her home. Since the insurance company “cut checks in both of my name and Chase’s,”  the bank is “impeding the process” of getting repair work done on the damaged home. 

The customer claims Chase has “been a nightmare to deal with” and the bank has been “holding up the checks” for “at least a month.” The customer also notes that the “customer service team, who is outsourced, is not pleasant to deal with.” 

3. Varo Money: “Basically refuse to provide customer service”

Number of Varo Money reviews – 2359

Varo Money rating* – 1.7 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 54

As we move closer to the top banks, Varo Bank is another all-digital bank on our list. The digital bank offers traditional bank accounts and debit cards for consumers.

Varo Money rating

2359 customer ratings for Varo Money on PissedConsumer.com have left the bank with a 1.7 star rating out of a possible 5 stars. 81% of the current reviews are negative, but only 14% of users would recommend Varo Money to a friend or colleague. The company does have 11% positive reviews, which is higher than the other banks on this list. 

Top customer concerns related to Varo Money

Customers like that Varo Money is online and that it is easy to set up an account with no fees. However, they struggle with finding ways to communicate with the company. Varo Money customer service is ranked lower than the overall bank score at 1.5 stars out of a possible 5, and only 6% of customer issues are resolved with the company. 

Some customers are concerned about fraud with the bank as well. In review #4565824, one Varo Money customer claims that the bank employees “basically refuse to provide customer service.” The customer had $3,000 stolen and “Varo refuses to credit [her] account at all.” The bank is requesting “documents” but there are “no documents unless they are meaning ATM slips.” 

2. Bank of America: “Use another bank.” 

Number of Bank of America reviews – 2347

Bank of America rating* – 1.8 ⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 15

Varo Money

Bank of America is the largest bank on this list with $98.6 billion in revenues. Bank of America is a multi-national bank, and despite its size, Bank of American scores well among consumers. 

Bank of America rating

Bank of America currently has a 1.8-star rating based on 2347 customer reviews left on the PissedConsumer website. While 83% of those reviews are negative overall, 47% of the consumers would recommend Bank of America to a friend or colleague.

Top customer concerns related to Bank of America

Bank of America customers enjoy the online platform and the number of locations for the bank. However, Bank of America customer service is a primary concern for customers. Customers have called Bank of America at least 11,200 times through the PissedConsumer website and 15% of those issues have been resolved.

One customer “made an ATM $600 withdrawal” but the machine “did not dispense any cash.” After multiple failed attempts to contact the company due to the customer service hours available, it took 15 days for the customer to receive a “temporary credit” for $600 while the bank will “continue the investigation.” The customer is “very upset” and recommends others “use another bank.” 

1. Woodforest National Bank: “Opening this account has been one big waste of valuable time.” 

Number of Woodforest National Bank reviews – 595

Woodforest National Bank rating* – 1.9⭐⭐

Resolved issues – 6

Among the top banks on this list, Woodforest National Bank has its headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. Woodforest National Bank is also Walmart’s largest retail partner and offers financial services for Sam’s Club members.

Woodforest National Bank rating

There are currently 595 Woodforest National Bank reviews on PissedConsumer.com. 77% of rated reviews are negative, leaving the bank with a 1.9 star rating out of a possible 5. It is worth noting that 100% of reviewers say that Woodforest National Bank customer service needs to improve, but also 100% of customers say they might also continue to use the bank if the customer service issues were resolved. 

While more than 3,000 PissedConsumer users have called Woodforest National Bank, only 9% of those issues have been resolved. Currently, Woodforest National Bank customer service has a 1.9 star rating out of a possible 5 stars. 

Top customer concerns related to Woodforest National Bank

The top customer concerns about Woodforest National Bank relate to customer service. Customers do like the hours of operation and the easy sign-up options with the bank. They do get frustrated, however, by the lack of consideration by bank employees. 

In the recently complain #5784690 one customer said that it took “an hour to make a deposit” in a local Woodforest branch, while being the only client. 

I stood there, while they made at least a half dozen calls, trying to get a code, to enable them to process the deposit. Looks like opening this account has been one big waste of valuable time.

Choosing the right bank for you

When it comes to your own money, ultimately bank rankings can only take you so far. You will need to consider what banks are in your area, what services they offer, and ultimately what local consumers have to say. Even within nationwide or international banks, the service provided in your local branch can vary wildly. Have you had an experience at one of the best or worst-rated banks in your area or on this list? Why not write a review? 

*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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Diane Shepherd #17727
Where are the best banks in this article?
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Ellen #17736
Where is the list of good banks?
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Ann Watson #17740
You’ve got the American banks down pat….now investigate the Canadian banks.
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Marty Reese #17745
Be aware of your credit card and bank accounts. I ordered new hearing aids for $5200 that were charged to my FNBO Credit Card which is associated with Flagstar Bank. The hearing aids were not suitable for me, and I returned them 15 days before my next credit card amount was due to be taken out of my Flagstar's account to reconcile any amounts due for that month. The credit was posted on my FNBO credit card account 14 days before they were to take any negative balance out of my Flagstar account for that month. Therefore, my FNBO credit card should have a ZERO balance, which it showed online 14 days before any money needed to be taken out of my Flagstar Bank account. FNBO decided to take the $5200 out of my Flagstar Bank account anyway, 14 days after the refund which had a ZERO amount to reconcile any charges in the prior month. This credit meant nothing that month. I called them and they said that is the way it is, policy. They will take the highest amount out of your bank, even if there is a credit on the card in the prior month with a ZERO balance. This is so wrong for many reasons. I am lucky I had another $5200 in my account to cover any written checks or other costs, and I caught it, I am not sure others would catch it. Imagine someone who does not have the extra funds in their account and wrote checks for their rent, mortgage, auto loan, insurance, health care, etc. FNBO credit card company would have taken all the money from the bank account to cover their credit costs and charged them an insufficient funds penalty along with interest for the outstanding balance because at that time there would be ZERO in their account. Also, Flagstar Bank would have charged them at least $30 for each bounced check, and the listed companies would also charge them additional fees too, for not paying on time. This could be hundreds of dollars in penalties because of FNBO's policy, along with Flagstar Bank possibly looking to get the bounced check fees. Yes, this is the policy of the FNBO Credit Card company. You would think someone high up at Flagstar Bank would not have made this agreement with FNBO, to take out this policy because this would hurt the Flagstar Bank account holders financially. FNBO credit card company felt guilty knowing they were wrong and mailed me a check for the $5200 that day, but I did not receive it for 10 days in my bank account. Therefore, I lost ¾ of a month’s interest on the $5200. Not a lot, but money and principle. They did not feel too guilty, and did not make good on my lost interest. I just filed a complaint with the government agency who oversees banking. I will follow this until I get satisfaction for me and the many other people who will possibly lose a lot of money in penalties. I should follow with print media doing a story to help their readers. I checked, and it seems all credit card companies do this terrible thing. *Keep in mind this affect those who dom't have or earn a lot of money*
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David Tang #17756
I find I really like Canadian Banks and generally do like being a Canadian. Also do wish the rest the world were like that where it conglomerates with a sustainable interest. However history has shown that's not how it is. It's due to greed and/or other things left unsaid.
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Roger Burford #17757
I had multiple credit accounts with Capital One along with a checking and savings account. I was notified by the bank that they were closing all of my accounts because of suspicious activity but would not tell me what was going on or what account was effected or anything just that they were closing all of my accounts and I could no longer do any business with them, no checking, savings, or credit accounts.I had direct deposit setup with them and was unable to get the deposit changed in time to keep it from going to them and was told that after they investigated the situation with my accounts they would send me a closeout check. My deposit went in on the 1st and as of the 12th I still have not received my check. This was my only income and now have been without funds for 12 days not and they will not tell me anything more.
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Max ROBERTS #17775
I can speak only of competent but not super Bank of America (BofA) Frankly, I know of NO super banks.Since I opened an account in Portland OR, service at the same bank has declined.At my branch, hours of operation have been shortened, tellers have been cut from three to one. drive-thru service has stopped.On the national scale.BofA is most anxious for me to get monthly statements via internet and not in the mail. In fact periodically BofA tries to convert me without my asking. BofA explains that emailed statements are for my convenience. The convenience is really more for BofA than for any customer. Statements via email, remain available only a limited time. Who the Hell are they trying to kid?Getting a human on the phone to discuss a problem takes much longer. Was 10 minutes. Now it's 30 and 40. The someone who picks up is usually in a 3d-world country. If I got the wrong number, because the choices offered are not always obvious to non BofA employees, I must call back and get in another queue.Big firms like BofA strive to increase eps yearly. In time, a bank that grows as big as BofA would need to expand to a new continent or implausibly to a new planet to keep eps growing. Another way to grow yearly eps is to cut expenses like BofA.The problem is BofA has cut staffing and gone overseas so much that its essential banking service-level suffers. We are told unemployment is at bottom. It seems that many who lost jobs have given up trying to find a new one. They get dropped from the total of unemployed, so employment looks better than it really is.BofA is too big. It is part of an oligopoly.The US needs 15 large, nationwide banks that really compete for business, instead of a few banking behemoths, keep shorting service to their mass depositors so as to book ever growing eps. .
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Lorie Lucky #17777
I have a good bank, but it's not called a 'bank'. It's the BECU, or Boeing Employees Credit Union, which is open to all individuals in Washington State, plus the places where Boeing has plants in the U.S. You can get a debit card, VISA card, and have a nice online bank account. As a senior citizen I'm not charged anything by BECU, except for interest on unpaid CC bills. The CC interest at this point is about 14%, which is still lower than most national credit cards like Capital One or Chase. BECU has many no-fee ATMS in Washington State. Out of state, or out of the nation, it can be a $2.00-$3.00 charge, but it works in Mexico, and I have used it throughout the Baja and in Sonora state.
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Kayla Lee #17791
Bank of America did not return the nearly 45,000+ that disappeared out of one bank account. and small amount in another account when I notice it was gone- claimed it was past the date I could have it returned
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