California Bank & Trust

My rating reflects solely on hours of operation, for your location you should really extend your hours. I’m sure your institution can afford to staff your bank for an additional hour and half of business for your downtown patrons.

I was able to meet and discuss my request with Kathy Aylott in the La Mesa Branch and she really went out of her way to help me achieve my financial goals. I highly recommend that you contact her to help you do the same.

I just opened an account here yesterday. So far it is nice to have the small bank feel where the tellers know who you are, but it did take like 45 minutes to open the account because the lady was taking her time and talking to me. If you want more of a personal experience go here for you banking.

1. Every teller knows me by name.
2. When I call because there is some kind of problem, they resolve it immediately. They also call me immediately when there is some kind of problem.
3. They have free coffee.
They are still a bank, but really, this is as good as it gets. There is no comparison! Switched to here from a credit union years ago and it was the right decision.
They are much meaner and Wells Fargo-​y at the downtown branches. Stick to Hillcrest!

Great bank! They go out of their way to be helpful and to learn your name. I feel guilty whenever I find myself banking elsewhere. They really try hard and go the ‘extra mile’ no matter what they do. I like how involved they are within the community too. I have used many banks in my lifetime, but this is the first I feel a real loyalty to.

Fast, Friendly and with it. Dawn Blaikie opened my account with efficiency and accuracy.

The tellers are always so nice. Most of them aren’t like your typical Wells Fargo teller where they are super chit-​chatty. Sure, they’re rates aren’t all that competitive, but I think that they are very genuine and care more about the customers than some of the other banks. I don’t think that it’s all about the interest rates. I want a bank that continuously demonstrates good customer service. Not a bank that acts like they have better things to do than answer your «stupid» questions.

My first visit to California Bank and Trust to open a new account with my partner.
Dawn Blaikie is a fantastic Financial Service Representative. She was extremely knowledgeable and thorough. Her customer service skills shined as she explained the available accounts and which one would work the best for our situation.
I hope to continue to receive excellent service from this institution.

if you want to make a decent interest rate on your money while it sits around in your checking or savings account. do not bank here. They are not competitive.

VPs at BofA won’t take your call? Go with Cal B&T.
If you are involved with even small real estate deals and need some construction or rehab financing, the nice Ladies over at CB&T will work with you. You’ll probably meet a VP in a paneled conference room and be made to feel Important. They’ll work out a loan package that’s creative and reasonable, and you’ll get an answer quickly.
I did have a minor dispute with them that turned out to be a mutual misunderstanding, and they never were condescending or dismissive, and were willing to do it all over again to make it right.
Good people, and not too big for their britches, despite being a pretty big bank after all. Free coffee & snacks in the lobby too.