First Bank is a full-service regional bank offering personal and business checking, savings, loans, mortgages, and wealth management services with multiple California locations.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
First Bank operates as a traditional regional bank with a significant presence across California, including a main branch in San Francisco at 300A Pine Street. The bank has expanded to serve both personal and business customers through an extensive network of physical branches and digital banking channels. First Bank's headquarters is located in Creve Coeur, and the institution maintains dozens of branch locations throughout California, including full-service branches, express locations, and in-store banking options at Dierbergs supermarkets.
The bank offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services spanning personal banking, business banking, and wealth management. Personal banking services include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and personal loans. Business customers can access business checking and savings accounts, business loans, and specialized services like lockbox services and receivables management. First Bank also provides mortgage lending for home purchases and refinancing, credit card products, brokerage services, and retirement plan administration through partnerships like Empower.
First Bank differentiates itself through multiple access channels including physical branches, ATMs/ITMs, a mobile app called "First Bank On The Go," online eBanking portals for personal and business accounts, telephone banking, and virtual banking services at ITMs. The bank employs a substantial staff across locations, with the San Francisco Main branch alone listing 26+ named relationship managers and advisors. This suggests a focus on personalized service and relationship-based banking rather than purely digital operations.
As a regional bank, First Bank is best suited for customers seeking traditional banking relationships with in-person branch access and comprehensive financial services. However, consumers should note that the website contains minimal information about account fees, interest rates, loan terms, or specific product offerings, making it difficult to assess competitiveness. The extensive branch network suggests operational complexity but may limit innovation speed compared to digital-first competitors.
Yes. First Financial Services is a registered company headquartered in 1327 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
First Bank is best for California-based customers who value traditional relationship banking with extensive branch access and comprehensive financial services under one institution. The main caveat is that the bank provides virtually no pricing transparency on its website—customers must contact branches directly or visit in person to learn about fees, interest rates, and specific loan terms, making it difficult to compare competitively before committing.
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