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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Tara Lowes #17934
Community bank stole from me every month im on a strict budget and was overdrafted the day after I got paid because they stole from me every month the manager was no help
Nancy Ann Wilcox #17936
Synchrony bank is the worse bank, I had three of them with credit cards one Care Credit. I had Care credit for many years and then used it for a dental bill. One month I never received their billing statement and they charged me a late fee when I realized but called them. The in insisted that they mailed it to me and blamed my post office and with that they also charged me for a paper statement that I never received. They then sent out letters received every other day, insisting t hat that they investigated and it was mailed out and to check with my three credit bureaus. For two weeks or more of the same letter mailed to me. I never received their paper statement then the following month the same thing. I paid the balance off never using Synchrony bank's Care Credit ever, ever again and paid off the the other two synchrony credit card balances. Beward they charge you late fees and tell you they mailed your billing statement out to you. Never received any of them in fact, the last letter I received from Synchrony Bank stated that my post office sent my statement back to them. I called my post office and they said no way would we ever do that, when we deliver to your address. They are corrupt I also reported them to the Attorney General's office on their billing practice. Waiting to hear back on that.
HelpCenter_PissedConsumer #19967
Thank you for sharing your concern with us and our community. We're sorry to hear about your experience with Capital One. If you'd like, you can share your story on our website to inform others and potentially get the company's attention: https://www.pissedconsumer.com/post-complaint.html
Michael WEBER #17984
Hello my name is Michael WEBER. I still have not received my haydude shoes. I paid $60.00 for the shoes. I've been complaining for 3 months now!!!!!
HelpCenter_PissedConsumer #18275
We appreciate you reaching out! Since we do not represent HEYDUDE, we recommend reviewing their official website for details on your issue or contacting their customer support: https://hey-dude-shoes.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html
Ryan #17986
I must take issue with Chase bank. I have been a customer for 30 years. They worked hard to resolve any issue I had. I have always been treated fairly by Chase bank. The other side of the coin. Every story has two sides.
Megan Burton #18859
I think this list should include CitiBank. They are absolutely unreasonable. My husband's paycheck was on hold for almost a week so they could "verify the funds". They also froze our account because a large transaction took place...we paid our car payment! And they kept putting him off, and wouldn't be helpful, and all but interrogated him about his account activity, and they still took forever unlocking our account! Needless to say, we left that bank as soon as we were able to. What a disaster.Oh, also, my husband reported them (I think to the FDIC) for this behavior, so who knows what will happen with that. But, DON'T USE CITIBANK!
HelpCenter_PissedConsumer #19969
We’re sorry to hear about your experience with CitiBank. You’re welcome to share your issue on our website. We provide a platform for your voice to be heard and help warn other consumers: https://www.pissedconsumer.com/post-complaint.html
Carl #19513
I changed my phone and number 2 years ago and notified Synchrony by phone of the changes. I am still forced to phone each time want to sign in to my account because the verification phone number is still assigned to my old number. Although I have asked several times to have my new phone number listed for verification purposes, their system continues to ask me to phone back using my old and invalid number, which is impossible. This unacceptable and a frustrating nuisance and will be the reason to cancel their credit card.
HelpCenter_PissedConsumer #19968
We’re sorry to hear about your experience with Synchrony Bank. You’re welcome to share your issue on our website. We provide a platform for your voice to be heard and help warn other consumers: https://www.pissedconsumer.com/post-complaint.html
Donna Bell #19881
My husband died March 2015. I spent 3 mo. In hospital n never once left his room. We had a BIG NRNARDS card. It was ysrd for our construction co. ..$$$$ thousands of dollars at a time, always paid in full. When I returned home after hw dues I contacted all bills owed and all Waived laye fees and wete understanding f.....EXCEOT CAPITOL ONE. WE OWED $24.00. THEY HAD BILLED ME 50 DAYS before I returned home. There was the bill and a 2nd letter canceling g my credit card. They got a copy of his death certificate. They had already filed a late payment with thev3 major credit bureaus. W H Y. ???NEVER ON ALL THE YEARS DID WE MISS A PAYMENT. OVER 30 YEARS WITH THEM. I CALLED AND WRITE N THEY ACTUALLY LAUGHED WOYLD NOT CIRRECT EVEN THO I HAD PAUD this small bill.Worse. 7 years after it should have come off my report, they again filed a laye payment.... and why,? I momlonger had a cr. CardWorking f with the credit bureays and explaining took time and 10 years after the original chaege the credit bureau removed it.The only black mark on.my record.Now my scores are back in 800+ range where they always gad been except for Caputol One.I even asked all involved ti ask fir a copy if a credit card for the new late pmt.. which did not exist. Never did they cooperate !!!!I would not do bus. With them if they were the iony bank in existence
Dr Brian Milne #19892
PissedConsumer is followed in many countries so a listing of best and worst banks in the USA is not enough. Banks in leading finance states such as France, Switzerland, UK or Germany (and many other countries) but especially those doing international banking are equally necessary. I am with a French bank that is good, my wife with another that makes amateurism look professional! So, please more to inform the rest of us.
Douglas Cohen #19940
After more than twenty years with a Lowes account, due to the rude and inept service of Synchrony Bank, I cancelled my Lowes Improvement Store. They are consistently rude and always most difficult to deal with. Lowes lost a great commercial customer due to Synchrony Bank.
HelpCenter_PissedConsumer #19966
We’re sorry to hear about your experience with Synchrony Bank. You’re welcome to share your issue on our website. We provide a platform for your voice to be heard and help warn other consumers: https://www.pissedconsumer.com/post-complaint.html
Joseph Milligan #19974
You probably don't know this but Banks do not have your Money in Cash. My friend wanted $100,000 in cash from his savings. He has been waiting 12 days and still doesn't have it..