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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Diane Shepherd #17727
Where are the best banks in this article?
Greg Chick #17834
Thank you for the report. I notice that Wells Fargo is not on the list. While I generally get "Pissed" at large companies, the WFB has always fixed issues politely fast and I have been with them 50 years. I have had personal accounts business accounts and other types too. I am retired and do not need my accounts with them anymore, but I keep a couple grand in WFB to keep the accounts because they are a reserve bank for me. Bof A was a nightmare, Union bank was as well. I have a Capitol account now too, they have been rude before, hard to get, and do not seem to really care.Do you have a rating for WFB in your reports? I just wonder how others are treated.
Ryan #17985
Excellent question. Many questions and few answers.
Ellen #17736
Where is the list of good banks?
Ann Watson #17740
You’ve got the American banks down pat….now investigate the Canadian banks.
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*
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.
Eugenia Gross #17924
What are some of the canadian banks in intrmerested in a new account
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.
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. .
Alain #17913
The article speak about the worst Banks, bit not the good one s is There any ?
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.
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
Barbara Dorsett #17798
i lov e Citi bank
larry boydston #17827
Add this one to the top of your WORST list! Bank Midwest not only is the most dysfunctional(online banking and website) but their customer service is WORTHLESS and one of the VP's pretty much told me that he couldn't care less about what I thought about it! When they are rotten at the top, the bottom and middle can't do much about it even if they. want to. At this bank I think the reps are too fearful of losing their jobs to even pass along a simple complaint or suggestion. AT BANKMW A ROBBER WITH A GUN COULDN'T GET DECENT SERVICE!!!
Leona Houseknecht #17832
We are pleased with WOODFOREST never had a problem very pleasant employees and have gone the extra mile for us
Laurence Carr #17835
Please remove your links to JustAnswer. They are an utter scam of a company.
Andy Besco #17854
Truist Bank has to be one of the worst banks that I have ever dealt with.
EILEEN M FERRE #17858
Generally speaking, credit unions tend the be best. I use Navy Federal Credit Union and I really love them. Customer service is A++ and the few problems I had with them were cleared up quickly. My parents had accounts with them for over 6 years until their passing and they loved them. My mortgage is with Pentagon Federal Credit Union. I don't deal with them often, but all my interactions with them have been pleasant and professional. If you don't qualify for military unions, they have many more.
Louise #17859
Best banks are credit unions. You get personal service as they care about their customers.
Kate Decker #17889
I am sure these experiences you cite are real. Most of us judge our bank by the actual experiences we have with the bank.I can only say that in more than 30 years with PNC Bank, first located in Moorestown NJ and now located in Mt Laurel NJ, I have never had anything less than an outstandingly good experience. It is not only that the PNC Tellers and Bank Officers I have met are without exception helpful, knowledgeable, and good at their jobs (which they are). I have also been able to do everything I needed to, often with help and advice when asked of these people, and the results have been good, without exception. This includes subjects as varied as everyday transactions, but also matters including a rental property, leases and payments, mortgage questions, a major loan for two complete new heating systems, retrieving documents needed for various banking and insurance matters -- PNC staff always do an outstandingly good job, in my many years' experience. When I think of a Bank of real excellence, I think of PNC Bank.Mrs A.F. Decker
Susan Grossman #17896
My Vote For Worst Bank? Citibank, Definitely… I’ve Been With Them Since 2003… & Their CS Is The Worst… They Actually Lie About Your Money… & Then, Make Excuses
Ragina Hinson #17921
What about chime and if I need to get a different account somewhere else where should I get one???
Bradley A Hoyt #17933
I can't believe Wells Fargo isn't number one!