HomeTown Bank of Galveston- Main Bank 45th St, Galveston

HomeTown Bank of Galveston- Main Bank Reviews

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  jayson
  5

  Over 10 yrs banking good people.

• M

  Mayra Lainez, Island REALTOR
  5

  Priscilla provided phenomenal, top-notch service, handled all my issues with politeness and professionalism!

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  Mayra Gamez
  1

  I'm not one to pull the race card but this particular incident made me cry. I went to the drive through teller to make a deposit on a Saturday right before noon on 6/29/2019. (I was waiting in line behind a motorcycle and a white lady in a Lexus was waiting in the lane next to me on my right as there was also a vehicle before her). To my left there was a white gentleman also being helped. So white Lexus lady and I pull up at the same time: she gets helped and I get told they are closed. When I bring to their attention that this must be a racial issue and ask for the teller's name and inform them that I will be filling a complaint, Devin Hilton the teller tells me "hold on we have someone coming for you.". Now I had NOT been acting in a crazy way and two minutes later there is a security guard coming to talk to me!! Beyond humiliating. He heard me out and was polite, gave me Jimmy Rasmussen's name, and kept staring at how it was now 12:09 and they were still helping the white man. By this time white Lexus lady had been helped and left. The tellers were just listening and watching. (All this time they could have just accepted my deposit). But yes, Devin Hilton was extremely condescending and racist towards me in her "service." You can't tell me race was not an issue here. It's the fact that the two whites to both sides of me were helped but not me that makes the racism clear as day. If you are "closed" be closed for everybody don't pick and choose. It's 2019.

  Response from the owner

  Thank you, Ms. Gamez, for taking the time to send us this valuable feedback. I believe that our President has reached out to you via phone and mail. He hopes to hear from you soon.

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  Bryan Brown
  1

  I own a Remodeling business and I am working on a large historical church in the City of Galveston. On May 15 the Church wrote a check from their account at Hometown Bank payable in my business name. I went through the drive thru at the 1801 45th Street branch as the lobby was closed due to Covid 19. I presented my ID and my DBA certificate. A lady came on the speaker and told me it would be a few minutes as she needed to input my info into the system. After about 15 minutes she asked for my thumb print because I did not have an account there. She told me everything was good to go, all information concerning my assumed business name was imputed and she cashed my check, thanked me for my patience and told me to come back anytime. On May 29, 2020 the Church wrote me another check and I went to the bank drive thru again. I presented my ID and my DBA certificate which has my name and business name After several minutes a guy came on the speaker and said I couldn't cash my check because it was in my business name. I told him I cashed my check there two weeks earlier and explained to him what the previous lady did and said. He stated ed that he was the supervisor and that I did not cash a check there before (literally called me a liar). I told him the lady spoke to a supervisor before she imputed my info and all he had to do was check the system. He refused to check the system and told me to take it to a liquor store and cash it, which is a very racist statement. (Don't drink and never frequented a liquor store). The guy was rude, brash, disrespectful and downright insulting. (A SUPERVISOR).The first lady was very helpful and knowledgeable. The second guy completely changed my impression of this bank and it's employees since he was in a supervisory role and didn't show any professionalism or courtesy. I will be getting a copy of the check I cashed and taking it to the bank. Sorry I didn't get his name.

  Response from the owner

  Dear Mr. Brown: Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experiences at HomeTown Bank. I can understand why you were upset. First let me explain the Bank’s policy on cashing checks payable to a business. It is our general practice to not cash checks payable to a business. Even our own customers are asked to deposit the items to their account and then issue a check for cash. Bank examiners have told us (when asked) that this is the best practice. It allows for better business accounting for tax purposes. What this means is that the young lady that cashed your check was in error in doing so. The gentleman that declined your check was following policy. However, he failed to inform you why he was not able to cash the check and sounds as if he was not polite at all in talking with you. I apologize if that was the case. However, I did want to explain the liquor store reference. We have a customer that owns a prominent liquor store in Galveston. He has told us that he will cash checks for people with checks payable to a company and we may refer the people with checks like that to them. They would be happy to assist them as this is a source of income to their store. He was actually offering an alternative solution, but it was handled incorrectly and I understand why you thought what you did. We are talking with the ones involved to hopefully avoid this happening to anyone else in the future. Again, thank you for your taking the time to write us regarding what happened. And thank you for helping to restore one of our historic churches so that people in the future will be able to enjoy buildings that grace our island. Sincerely, Elise Worthen HomeTown Bank

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  Cole Mcwilliams
  1

  This is the most racist bank I have ever encountered. This bank is not for blacks. I went in to open an account and the teller sent security over to me. He said i looked suspicious. I walked out and I recommend going to banks with nicer service. All those old hafta are racist. I would of rated it a 0. Hope this spreads over galveston

  Response from the owner

  Mr. McWilliams, We were very surprised and disappointed in the impression you were given of HomeTown Bank. If you would, please share with me the bank location, date and approximate time of this event. We want to investigate the situation. We cannot think of any possible reason anyone would have that impression. We are also disappointed that the officer on duty would say that. We have never heard of a situation like this. Our apologies for giving you this impression. The people at HomeTown are very caring and friendly people. They try to provide the best possible service to all. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I will look forward to hearing from you. Elise Worthen Vice President 409-763-1271

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  Kauve Ahan
  5

  One of the best banks I've been to, everyone is extremely nice and helpful!