Westamerica Reviews

I worked at Westamerica

Pros – Positive management staff
Set schedule/hours
Potential opportunities for overtime
Standard benefits (depending on FT/PT): Medical, dental, 401k, paid vacation, sick leave

Cons – Not much room for opportunity or growth
Classic style banking; not really competitive in today's market
Upgrading certain systems may allow staff to be more efficient with time and service

Advice to Senior Management – One primary mission is to provide superior service for all customers; however, that same superior service and "can do" attitude needs to be practiced and promoted more internally among departments and branches

I worked at Westamerica full-time for less than a year

Pros – Honestly cannot think of any.

Cons – Bad management, dishonest, old and dated

Advice to Senior Management – We had customers coming in every single day complaining about how there was a new face in there every week. I trained for one month, took the test and got the highest out of my class (out of about 20 people), missing 1 question out of 100. The entire next month of working in the bank, I was told I was doing great and learning very quickly. The customers loved me and I thought everything was going well. After 3 months, I walk in one day and the CSM pulls me into her office and tells me they're letting me go. I was in shock. Even the day before they lost one of the branches best customers because of how annoyed he was with how many people they let go. No wonder. When I asked what I had done wrong she literally made something up about a withdrawl without a signature, which is my number one thing I would never, ever do wrong and she surprisingly "couldn't find it at the time" to show me. All in all, I wish luck to the next person who tried to make it past their training process. In addition to this, the business and customers will continue to decrease due to the alternative technological advances that other banks have. At least 3 customers a day at my window would mention how we needed to start getting an app, or more online banking sections.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I worked at Westamerica full-time for less than a year

Pros – you can say that you know how to use 1980's banking systems and procedures...which I'm not too sure is a Pro. Paid training!

Cons – No investments made in the branches. Old school everything. Disgruntled employees. Bad management from the top down. Very gossip like culture between branches (ALL BRANCHES). High turnover and very little direction.

Advice to Senior Management – Enter the 21st Century!!!

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Westamerica full-time for more than a year

Pros – They offer a good work/life balance. Hours are good. It's nice to have 'bankers' hours...literally! Good 401k match. Holidays. They're stable.

Cons – The benefits packages are very expensive. Salaries are significantly lower than most financial institutions. There are many limitations when it comes to short term or long term growth potential. Very high turnover in the organization as a whole. More so at the Branch level.

Advice to Senior Management – Management should focus more on career pathing. Need to do a better job of taking care of the current employees as an overall organization but at least at the management level, do what you can for your staff despite the limitations the organization imposes on you. Your employees will appreciate it and in turn work hard for you.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Westamerica

Pros – Good people to work with

Cons – No growth or adavancement and pay is not worth the headache

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I worked at Westamerica

Pros – Benefits are ok...just ok. Hours are good.

Cons – Management treats you like crap with a smile on their face! The pay is nothing compared to what it should be for what they make you do. Totally lacking on technology! Literally one step above a rotary phone!!

Advice to Senior Management – Listen to your employees!! They know more about their day to day duties than someone in management that doesn't have a clue what you do or are talking about! Get off your high horse your no better than anyone else. AND if you would actually listen to your employees you would realize they are not as stupid as you think! Again open your ears!

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Westamerica

Pros – Personally, I have a good Manager. This is not true of everyone. Flexible hours are a plus, but again, this is not true of everyone.

Cons – Certain individuals in certain departments have been allowed to mistreat others and disrespect people by they way they interact. Additionally there is no monetary recognition of a job done well. A pat on the back can only go so far. This most recently manifested itself in the excuse for a 1% raise. Stock is trading at around $50/share. How can you say the company is suffering? There should not be such a vast difference in the pay of the common worker and the few Officers of the bank. The dress code is outrageous! It is nothing more than mind manipulation.

Advice to Senior Management – Recognize the value of your people.

I have been working at Westamerica

Pros – Supportive management (at least in my department). Opinons and ideas are heard and sometimes implemented. A lot of good talented people work here.

Cons – Pay is well below market. Very tight budget constraints even though a very profitable bank. Prides itself on hiring every employee at entry level in order to keep pay low.

Advice to Senior Management – My advice to management is to pay people what they are worth. Yes the economy is tough but that works both ways. Not every single income earner with a family can work 2 to 3 jobs to make the family survive. You would also have less turnover and less time spent training.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Westamerica

Pros – strong bank
commercial bank
easy to service customers because you are a commrcial bank

Cons – Not well known
Do not do advertising

Advice to Senior Management – be open to current economy and how deals can be done now versus years ago

I have been working at Westamerica

Pros – There are countless possibilities to advance your career on star path. Managers are all willing to help you in meeting your goals.

Cons – They pay a little less then other banking institutions. That can be easily made up by meeting and exceding your sales and attendance goals.

Advice to Senior Management – Teller training should involve more creative ways to cross sell products to consumers. That will insure all tellers meet thier monthly goals.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend