First Bank

I honestly cannot think of a more unorganized, unhelpful, and just over all useless banking system than First Bank - serving North Carolina. Mobile deposits are just declined vs being held the standard 3-5 days for it to clear from another bank. They insist you do wire transfers so they can profit from that transaction. The team that answers the phone is incapable of answering a question with our "escalating to my manager." Honestly, just bank anywhere else.

I have not been impressed with this bank from the beginning. I am in the process of switching to a new bank and have been waiting for my First Bank account to clear. Today, I noticed two unexpected and unexplained charges on my account. First thing tomorrow morning, I will shut down this account. I refuse to be subjected to these excessive fees by this institution.

Long-time customer of this bank! So sad to see the change in customer service! I am speaking specifically about the online help line. Had an issue with an external transfer and documentation to support the issue. Called 4 times, speaking to different people with zero results. Very disappointing!

My local branch in Asheboro is excellent! The problem with this bank is their archaic website that is not user friendly, difficult to access info and sporadic with logins. I would only recommend this bank if someone never uses a website.

First bank was a great choice for a small personal loan with great customer service as well. They always put their customers first.

TERRIBLE web portal. 3rd party vendor manages this third rate site. If you use digital banking, go elsewhere. Difficult to find services, separate logout from the digital site required, impossible on some browsers to download transaction to Excel, confusing and incomplete menus. Customer support comes from third party vendor, not FirstBank. I have moved my 5 accounts to another bank with excellent online experience.

Absolute garbage company that schemes, scams and offers no security or customer service. They get highly offended when caught in their fraudulent practices.
Pending transactions that takes WEEKS to post with erroneous time stamps
They use the same banking portal that the app uses
Your account is so loosely guarded, theyll allow anyone access
It's almost as though Trump and Biden combined economic policies to form this wrecthed wealth extraction tool for that "Hey Hun" of a "bank".

This business does not care about their customers. I have stayed patient but I have had it with this bank. I have been dealing with a fraudulent charge for months and they refuse to credit my account. The customer service is completely unacceptable. I highly do not recommend this bank.

First Bank NC (First Bancorp) is the worst business experience I have ever had as consumer. I would rather go to traffic court or the dmv for my banking than ever deal with this company again. Deceptive business practices abound. After two years of dealing with constant problems with my account, services, and the online portal, including their website crashing, ATM taking my cash deposit but failing to credit my account, getting locked out of my online account, and never being able to get assisitance because they have ZERO customer service available after 4 pm or on weekends, I had had enough. But when I closed out my accounts, even though I was insistent that they check to make sure I had no deposits or bills owed, they failed to inform me of a small outstanding balance on an overdraft protection line of credit. They failed to inform me, but they continued to charge me interest and late fees on the balance. I was not notified until nearly two months after closing the account, by which point the balance had racked up considerable fees and interest. It took nearly another 2 months to resolve the issue with them because I work full time and go to school full time, and they refused to set an appointment to call. Instead, I would have to leave messages, in which I would clearly explain when I was available to answer calls, and without fail they would return my calls outside of those times, when I was in class or at work.

Finally, I had to make multiple trips from where I was living, driving an hour and a half both ways, because the only person who was actually able to help me was a branch manager and it had to be done in person. The folks in the branch are friendly and helpful. The telephone customer service staff are sarcastic and dismissive. Though I frankly don't blame them. They don't set the terrible policies and practices the corporation engages in but they probably have to deal with very angry people all day because of them.

I have been with this bank when it was bank of Asheville. I have been with this bank for 15 years. This bank has never given me a thing. Had to get a car loan from capital one. Bike loan from credit union. And mortgage from BB&T. This bank sucks. All this bank is there for is to hold your money and lend money to the Rich. FIRST BANK after 14 years with you I moved my account to a bank that is they to help customers. FIRST BANK SUCKS

When I left for college, I signed up for my first bank account with First Bancorp. All I can say is BIG MISTAKE!!! Their fees for overdrafting the account are insanely high. Once, my account information was stolen and they took over $200 from me. Those erroneous transactions led to my account being overdrafted several times. The company offered no sympathy, no security, and no help. They simply slapped on more overdraft fees ($35 each time) and told me “there was nothing they could do.” I want a bank that cares. I need a bank where I feel that my money is kept safe and protected. If you’re looking for a bank like that too, I suggest going somewhere else.

It would be great if they stretched out a little bit to make them a more viable option in SC, but I can't give a company an outright bad review for not being everywhere. Should you be in the areas that Carolina Bank offers its services, you'll find them fair and comparable with anything else you've experienced. I used them to invest some of my funds; they're very adept at figuring out what it is you expect to get from your money and the time frame you expect to get it in. So far my investment is looking pretty promising, and I haven't been irrelevant since walking out their door. They still keep me updated on a pseudo-regular basis.

It may seem silly but I opened an account with Carolina Bank because I have a second home in Greensboro and it seemed easier than having an account with a big branch bank. Now, I can still stay with my credit union at home and then use this bank for when I am down south. It works out perfectly. The staff at Carolina Bank is sweet and kind. I love going in there and being greeted with a smile. I am not there very often so they don't know me well, but I can tell that the regular customers to them are like family. They greet them with names and smiles. Choosing them to be my southern bank was the best choice I made in a long time.

During a short period of time when I lived in North Carolina, I used Carolina Bank as primary bank for my personal savings and checking accounts. I really enjoyed every moment I was inside Carolina Bank as all of the employees were really sweet to me, and they were willing to help me with even the smallest problem. As for the checking accounts, those were perfect as well. There were not any hidden fees or charges for using additional services such as the drive-thru. All in all, I really enjoyed my experience with Carolina Bank, and would easily switch back to them if I were to ever move back into the area.