November 2020 by Worst Interstate bank
We've banked with this bank 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 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, only to find out that they still (to this day) 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, 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, apologetic manner) that this was basically my fault for not updating the account information with the IRS, which had they been educated about the details of the major stimulus package affecting tens of millions of americans, they would know is something the IRS is not allowing.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.
