First Interstate Bank Cascade Ave, Hood River

We've banked at the same branch for years, through three name changes (First Centerpointe Bank, then INB, and now First Interstate Bank) and with each change of name/ownership the quality of our banking experience had declined. Under the current regime, getting answers to a simple question takes multiple people/phone calls/visits to the branch. Even something as simple as trying to deposit cash in our bank account (kinda the purpose of a bank) has been a convoluted and difficult process. When we attempted to add a new name to our account, it took not one, but three in-person visits to the Bingen branch, each time meeting with a different employee, and going through a different processes, only to find out (earlier today) that they still have not authorized the person on our account. The cherry on top of our terrible experience with First Interstate happened today. Through all of the name changes, our routing and account numbers have been the same. Earlier this year First Interstate changed their routing number. So when the IRS attempted to deposit our COVID-19 Stimulus Check, using the account information they have on file from our last tax return, the direct deposit failed, automatically putting our payment the back of the line for mailed paper checks, delaying much needed financial help by months. After two different phone calls with First Interstate bank, I was essentially told by the bank staff (albeit in a polite enough manner) that this was basically my fault for not updating the account information with the IRS, which incidentally is something that the IRS is not allowing. Either the First Interstate staff are completely ignorant to the details of a major government stimulus plan that directly impacts their business and customers or they just feel the need to shift the blame to anyone/thing other than the general disorder that is their financial institution. This is a small community (hence the burner Gmail account I created for this review), and the banking options are limited. I feel for the customer service reps and tellers at their branches, I know they are just cogs in someone else's get-rich-machine, but the service we've received from First Interstate since they took over in the Gorge has been unacceptable. I will be making the long overdue switch to another bank, and I strongly recommend you do the same.

Just setting up accounts. They have a hard time retruning phone calls and getting information correct, but they are very responsive when it comes to correcting errors. That is a big plus these days.

I have had nothing but top notch customer service from First Interstate Bank. I have banked with many various banks over the years between my personal and business needs and would rank First Interstate as one of the very best! There customer service is excellent. I would give them my highest recommendation.