First Bank & Trust Co in Palatine, IL

Talk about stogy old bankers. The guys here remind me of those WaMu commercials you see on TV. And I'm referring to their attitudes, not their appearance. These guys REFUSE to do anything extra to help their customers. Rules are rules you know. Well, I've dealt with LaSalle and Harris and the things they did for me were beyond what First Bank was even willing to consider. Safe yourself A LOT of aggravation and bank somewhere else. (Remember...you have been warned)

Friendly competent people. Nice facility.

GREAT BANK! always see James the Assistant VP. He listens to all points of a problem and helps out where it is needed to make it better.

I will only tell you my personal experience. My aging parents were both handling their accounts and money late in 2001, but for safety they wanted back-up in case of emergency and named me as POA of their finances and property. Then they were in a serious auto crash in Oct. or Nov. and were in a hospital in Texas. After coming home early 2002, we had another meeting with a lawyer a established new POAs for both as well as trusts for both of them. Because of low rates, I then decided to move a series of CDs that were expiring to another institution. I was told I couldn't because I was not the account owner(s). I had the valid POA. After a heated discussion with an underling, I had to return to the bank to have a meeting with the president (and he claimed "owner"). When I mentioned the fact of the POA and his having to honor it legally, he retorted (and I still remember this), "Don't lecture me on the law. I', a lawyer as well as president and owner of this bank and I'm telling you that at this particular bank I don't honor POAs!!" Of course, I could have reported him or sued him or whateveer the correct process in that case. But I didn't. As my Dad was too failing to do it, I had to roust up my ill and fragile mother and drag her in to the bank to close out the accounts. Otherwise I have no idea what I would have done. So as someone else mentioned earlier, you've been warned!!

Used to have a couple accounts back in the day. No problems to report.