Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Share
Business Profile

Bank

Bank of the Sierra

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Bank.

Complaints

Need to file a complaint?

BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

File a Complaint

Complaint Details

Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

Filter by

Showing all complaints

Filter by

Complaint Status
Complaint Type
  • Complaint Type:
    Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    On June 26th and 27th I tried to access my bank account from my home from two different computers that had been used with this bank since I opened my accounts.I was Denied Access to My Account; Note my address is in ********************** and our area is on Fire! Did you hear me? ON FIRE! And I need access to my accounts in an Emergency Situation and you Bank of the Sierra are apparently demanding that I agree to all terms and conditions by your latest 3rd party vendor in order to once again access my account.Now, did I mention there is no where to Opt Out and still have access to your account? There is not, you are denied access you cannot move forward! Next, I do not know your 3rd Party Vendor, nor am I comfortable entrusting my private data to a 3rd party outside of my bank. Further, to allow anyone to monitor my accounts and decide if it is me or not and whether to provide me access to my account is unacceptable. **** of America started this Nonsense in 2020 just as my husband lay dying and I had to take over all the bills and their vendor made my life h*** It was not enough that twice I had to go into their bank and show them my Picture ID, and compare it with my **** of America Picture. I am not going through that again ever. No, I have the right to reject your 3rd party vendor and to be FORCED into signing a contract with a company I do not know for services I do not want, do not believe and have found through personal experience only dis-serve the customer. I urge you to offer an Opt Out Button quickly as I do not believe it is legal force anyone into signing a contract or accepting a contract with an outside 3rd party just to access your own funds.If you want me to vacate my accounts I will need 45 days and do so.CARemington

    Business response

    07/01/2024

    RE: BBB Complaint *********************************
    ID ********

    To Whom it May ************** 07/01/2024, Bank of the Sierra mailed the customer referenced above a detailed letter explaining how the Bank shares information with third parties to provide online banking services and prevent fraud and identity theft. The Bank also described alternate methods for account access.
    Please let us know whether you have any further questions related to this matter.

    Sincerely,       
    Compliance Department

    Customer response

    07/01/2024

     I am rejecting this response because: Today is 7/1/2024 and naturally I have not received any snail mail as described, if I was sent email then I have not yet received as we are having fires where I life and phone calls and emails are spotty at this time.

    While I thank the Bank of the Seirra for their response it is not the response I had hoped for, nor needed.  We do not live in Communist ***** where we are dictated to without options or the freedom of choice. Corporations that follow this path neither provide good customer service nor care in my humble opinion.

    I will consider this case now closed!  I reject the response as deficient and no further communication is required and I thank the BBB for their intervention.

    Respectully,

     

    CARemington

  • Complaint Type:
    Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    **** refused to resolve my issue regarding a money transfer from my Business Account Bill *** to my Personal Checking account in which both accounts are with Bank of the Sierra. When calling the corporate number, the representative was rude and failed to resolve my issue. When asked to speak with a higher up she placed me on hold and then would take me off hold and act as though she was transferring me which continued for over 45 minutes. This is rude, unprofessional and due to my finances being in their care is needing someone to justify these actions as I have placed my trust and money with this institution.

    Business response

    12/27/2023

    December 27, 2023               

    *****************************
    ****************************************************
    Phone: *********************


    RE: BBB Complaint *****************************
     ID ********

    To Whom it May Concern,
    Bank of the Sierra received a complaint via mail on December 27, 2023, from the BBB regarding Mr.  ******** In their complaint, the customer stated they were requesting resolution regarding a transfer made via the ******************* *********** that was not completed.   
    The Bank had already researched this matter and the customer was notified on December 22, 2023, that the disputed funds had been returned by the receiving institution, credited back to their account, and their complaint had been fully resolved.      
    Please let us know whether you have any further questions related to this matter.
    Sincerely,       
    Compliance Department
  • Complaint Type:
    Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    My account was debited 98.00 17 times I have disputed charges 4 times I have called the bank several times and have been told 3 different things. They are not sending me proof of the debits that were made as promised in their letter.

    Business response

    08/25/2023


    August 25, 2023                     

    B***** ********
    b********************
    Phone: ************ Ext: ***


    RE: BBB Complaint Brandy Church
     ID 20507554

    To Whom it May Concern,
    The Bank of the Sierra was forwarded a complaint by you on August 22, 2023 from Ms. Church.  In her complaint, the customer stated they were requesting resolution regarding the outcome of disputes the customer had submitted for multiple transactions.   
    The Bank has notified the customer that we are investigating the dispute, and the Bank will further notify the customer of the outcome of our investigation when the Bank has reached a determination.  
    Please let us know whether you have any further questions related to this matter.
    Sincerely,       
    Compliance Department
  • Complaint Type:
    Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    On 6-8-23 I went to the Clovis branch of bank of Sierra and opened a CD for $13,000. @4.55% for 13 months. I received an e-mail about the offering. I have a print out in re: the transaction. Then early July, I received a letter and a phone call saying this transaction is no longer valid. And if I did not come in person to change the terms, the CD wold auto be renewed at 2.58%. I could have invested the amount somewhere else without loosing dividends. Always thought bank of Sierra was a community bank and was steadfast on its integrity. Why has this change in policy occurred? So disappointed. Have had an account since July 2013.

    Business response

    07/26/2023


    July 25, 2023              

    Bertha Bejarano
    b********************
    Phone: ************ **** ***


    RE: BBB Complaint Laurie Lonnevik
     ID 20365058

    To Whom it May Concern,
    The customer referenced received a detailed letter of explanation on July 25, 2023, along with supporting documentation and contact information for any questions they may have. 
    Additionally, we contacted the customer on July 24, 2023, and discussed the notice the customer had received, and identified that the customer was confused regarding which account the notice received was for.  The customer was satisfied with the explanation provided. 
    Please let us know whether you have any further questions related to this matter.

    Sincerely,       
    Compliance Department
  • Complaint Type:
    Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Bank of sierra $7200 check deposited and cleared on 05/02/22 None of my cc got paid none bills been paid. I disputed 29 days after the fact of my charges I made were clear but nothing pd out and lost 10 days later bc I waited to long it has been 90 days to late and I've only had the acct 4 months and wouldn't let me close my acct but now I owe -$575 for them letting charges go thru my acct I did not authorize and even after having the over draft protection locked so I couldnt go negative. Haven't found my money no one knows wut happens plz help call the above number or ###-###-#### ty

    Business response

    10/20/2022

    ****** ********
    *********************
    Phone: ***-***-**** Ext: ***

     

     

    RE: BBB Complaint ***** *******

    ID ********

     

    To Whom it May Concern,

    The customer referenced received a detailed letter of explanation on October 20, 2022, along with supporting documentation and contact information for any questions they may have. 

    Specifically, a review of our records has indicated that the complaint filer referenced:

    1) Received credit for the deposit referenced.

    2)  Received credit for transactions referenced that were disputed and communications regarding the outcome of those disputed items had previously been sent.

    3) The customer opted out of the Bank’s overdraft product.

    4) All charges to the account were authorized and Bank of the Sierra did not identify any bills that went unpaid for which there were sufficient funds. 

     

    Please let us know whether you have any further questions related to this matter.

     

    Sincerely,       

    Compliance Department

    Customer response

    10/21/2022

    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and. Othing has been resolved. I have documentation but howsver i would like to present my case and would not be able to send everything until i get paid on the first can u plz give me until then bc i have no money to print ir send material ty
    Ms *******

Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.