First Republic Bank

The First Republic Van Ness branch is exceptional. Without a doubt the best banking experience I’ve ever had. Their service is impeccable, and the team is always incredibly welcoming. In particular, Ray, Jason and Clarke always go beyond the call to be of help. Its an amazing feeling to know a bank has my back!

Extremely disappointing. I tried in vain to pull out the remaining cash from my account with them. Following their complicated processes for getting my cash back did not help. My sale rep was able to call me, but ignored my written request to return my money. There are probably laws around this which they are violating.

I have been with a variety of banks and credit unions, but have NEVER experienced consistently outstanding customer service like I receive at the Van Ness branch. In particular, Simiran Bulchandani has gone above and beyond routine to assist me with expediting a debit card request and resolving issues with my password manager for online banking. Her knowledge, courtesy and professionalism are deeply appreciated.
Mike G.

This bank has a parking lot to the side which is nice because parking is a nightmare. The staff here are all welcoming and professional. Excellent service.

I recently was speaking to a friend who was looking at getting a loan with First Republic and I found myself gushing about the incredible customer service and programs they have available. I rarely come into this (my local) branch because everything is so easy to do online. But when I do, everyone there, ESPECIALLY JASON, are extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Cookies and hot coffee up front are a nice touch too.

The BEST BANK, hands down! Best customer service around. They take care of their customers. Know your name when you come into the bank. Don’t charge crazy fees! It doesn’t get much better than this. Honestly? I have never been more pleased with a banking institution.

The folks at the Van Ness Branch are always so friendly and helpful. However, when we were traveling in Germany, my ipad was not recognized as a known source. I had never used it to communicate with the bank. After 3 attempts to put in the correct information the bank put a hold on the account. I was given a phone # to correct the issue but, I did not have international calling. So I e-​mailed Candace Lee with my dilemma and she immediately e-​mailed me back with specific instructions to access my accounts! What a Gal! What a Bank! Every single person in that branch are wonderful, serious, and congenial.
Shirley D.

Best bank ever.

This bank and especially my banker Jason is amazing. It was such a great decision to ditch BofA for First Republic. The service is outstanding, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Candace L at the Van Ness branch is an awesome personal banker. She’s been very attentive in giving us updates on our accounts and making sure that all transactions are completed properly. Kudos to Candace for her outstanding customer service.

I have never left a Unilocal review in my life and was so blown away by my customer service experience at First Republic that I felt compelled to post. I have been with several banks in my life — Wachovia, Wells Fargo, PNB Paribas, Barclays, HSBC — and nothing even comes CLOSE to the excellent customer service you get at First Republic. Shortly after moving back to the US, my husband and I needed to open a bank account and first went to First Republic on a friend’s recommendation. Our friend had mentioned the incredible customer service (so I assume it’s a nationwide standard) — but we didn’t expect it would exceed our expectations to this extent. Our banking office manager Raymond in particular has been outstanding. Incredibly helpful, extremely responsive, wonderfully friendly — any time I need a cashier’s check, or to transfer funds, or if I have any other banking related questions — from mortgages to international transfers — Raymond is a quick email or phone call away. It’s the most fantastic personal and extremely fast customer service imaginable. I am honestly thrilled with my experience at First Republic and could not recommend them enough. The world’s best bank, for sure.

First Republic rocks.
Although I’m a customer of the main branch downtown, they know me and my coworkers well here because it’s often most convenient to stop by here. I can email or call them with a request. They greet us all by name when we come in, tease us and make jokes, it’s all so personal.
Plus, well, when I came in today to tell them I lost my wallet, they didn’t just give me a new debit card they gave me a new wallet! I said I was having trouble reading some fine print and they gave me some reading glasses to take home. Other times when it’s raining, they gave me an umbrella. In a world that doesn’t understand the human touch and customer service anymore, First Republic really gets it. From a bank of all places.

I’m very pleased with this bank in general. The team is very nice and friendly, and they definitely go above and beyond to help. I dropped a star only because they don’t seem to always have the correct information I need. This has happened a couple of times. They are really great about trying to get what I need, but I often find that once I talk with my senior banker, only then do I get accurate information. Overall, great organization.

Sophia Chaban has been the consummate professional in all of my interaction with her. Requests are satisfied timely and without reservations. She is always charming, friendly and very sweet. Banking is a breeze when Sophia is on the other end of the call!

Kelly and the Van Ness crew rock!
They go way above and beyond the call of duty. The best way to describe their way of doing business is they bring Private Banking intention to the 99%ers. What impresses me the most is their cheerfully professional attitudes. At other institutions this type of «First Republic package» is reserved for trust clients.

I walked into this branch of First Republic. I’d always heard good things about this bank. A woman welcomed me to her desk. I said, «I’d like to buy a roll of quarters.» That’s a basic banking function I’ve always gotten at any bank. She asked me if I banked @ First Republic. I said no. She said, «We only provide quarters to those who bank here.» I was so shocked; I stood up and immediately headed towards the door. I turned back and said that it’s incredible that they would ruin the reputation of their bank for such a small thing.
I went down the block to Sterling Bank, another small bank. What a wonderful experience! I said I want to buy a roll of quarters. She gave it to me and I handed her a $ 10 bill. The manager came out and chatted with me. They were both kind and friendly. I used their ATM machine and paid them $ 2.50 for that service (cheaper than the $ 3 that big banks charge these days).
Yay for Sterling Bank! Boo for First Republic. How shortsighted and snotty of them.

If you have a startup — tread lightly to consider this bank. After a long history of almost a decade with First Republic bank and the best possible service, my bank has completely failed to provide the basic service i need on some levels. I had a very lucrative design biz and First Republic was fantastic. Now I have a startup in the seed phase and am cash poor and the experience is way different. This is not the perfect bank for startups! Something to know about First Republic.
1) While their MO is to service entrepreneurs, don’t be fooled because it’s the one with jets they really cater to, hence the ad campaign. They fail to grasp the basic principle that every huge company has to start at 0. After closing my design biz and pulling the trigger on my startup, I’m now made to feel like a serf.
2) The fundamental problem with First Republic is they are run like fiefdoms. So they can do all sorts of great special stuff for you — if the manager is willing to do so (assuming one sticks around long enough to know you) and if you are never cash poor. While I was transitioning between my design biz account in Menlo Park and my startup biz account on Van Ness, the VN branch treated my MP account like it was another bank they had nothing to do with way out somewhere in Siberia. A constant pain in the ass.
I have revised this review to upgrade the stars since they continue to work with me to give me the best service they can. They are know for their service!

The manager of this branch is one cool dude.
He supports Little Kids Rock. Creativity and banking working for the future of kids who have big musical dreams! It really is music to my ears…
What other banker does that?

This branch is managed so well. Everyone who works here is so friendly, attentive, and professional.
If you are looking for a bank this is it! No ATM fees, parking and cookies.

It’s all about the free homemade cookies! Well, okay, no… but they are a nice perk. So are the Zagat guides.
Friendly staff. Open half days on Saturdays. Good rates for their CD accounts.
And much more importantly: First Republic refunds all overseas ATM fees. That’s right, free ATM services all over the world, wherever you may be at the moment. I’d been searching for a service charge-​free checking account for years, and turns out I already had one!