Scotiabank

Got a line of credit by booking an in person appointment. Had to follow-up with the employee myself many times as they kept us without any updates for a while. Phones are not answered and messages are not returned. Very disappointed.

Update
September 2023: Yet another visit that was most unhelpful. Quick to take the money but never to give the help and service.

I was shocked to read these reviews - then I had to go to the branch for assistance. Avoid at all costs. Teller was all but useless and seemed quite bothered to even want to talk to a customer. Will be closing my Scotiabank accounts. Note Scotiabank - there are lots of options for customers, its easy to choose an alternative.

CAUTION! Don't go with this amateur financial advisor named: Jesus Mendez. He lied to us when we had to transfer our locked rsp to our Scotia account. Promised that we can take that money out to use as a down payment for a house. We contacted him again to withdraw the money, he's story changed and didn't know what we were talking about. He's the financial advisor and he doesn't know what he's doing. I would suggest asking someone else other then this young man who looks lost. C'mon Scotiabank, hire people that know what they are doing, what are we paying banks for if they can't even solve our questions?

After 10 calls still can't get to talk to anyone, just get transferred to a call center

Scotiabank has repeatedly failed to freeze the account of my late father. Just received a renewal notice for his GIC. Despite many in person visits and emails to Scotiabank, they continued to issue RRIF payments and have now renewed his GIC, creating a headache for me in trying trying to finalize his estate and taxes, and costing me time and money. So much incompetence, I'm actually amazed at just how badly they've handled estate matters.

Got a line of credit by booking an in person appointment. Had to follow-up with the employee myself many times as they kept us without any updates for a while. Phones are not answered and messages are not returned. Very disappointed

The worst scotiabank branch in ottawa.
Unbelievably slow tellers. Drive through ATM never takes cash or cheque deposits. Inside ATM's are picky and often never have cash in mixed bills.
You can book.an online apportionment for 7: 45 but the branch doesn't open until 9: 30 or sometimes 10.
Bankers work hours are a total joke, for the rest of us who need access to the services we pay so much for.

One of the worst overall banking experiences of my life. Being charged banking fees for subpar services equals a huge rip off.
I'm trying to leave this bank and transfer everything to another bank and getting things done is like pulling teeth. I've been waiting over 2 months now to get things transferred over and Scotiabank is holding up the process.

Always a long line up and takes forever to be served. Few staff and the “ short staffed “ excuses are old…

Worst customer service. This black lady at the front was acting like she do not want to talk and was super rude. They should stay at home if they don’t wanna work.

Staff takes zero accountability for the mistakes or inconveniences they cause through poor service to their clients. Stories / explanations to clients are never consistent between staff members.

Worst financial institution to deal with either personal or business banking needs.

If you value your time learn from the mistakes of those who wrongfully trusted this bank to act on some ethical level.

Putting a hold on a certified cheque?
Good Lord that's incompetent!
Do not put these people in charge of your blood, sweat, and tears.
Do better!
#walkout

If I could give a zero rating I would. Please do not waste your time using this bank. Terrible service. Never adequate tellers available. Excessive wait times just to do simple transactions. No communication. Financial advisers never answer their phones or return phone calls. Go elsewhere and save yourself from frustration.

My former business account manager (not there anymore), failed to provide me with even the simplest task of obtaining account records. After many ignored or basically not even read emails, I finally emailed the branch manager and within hours I had what I waited weeks for. I strongly advise seeking another bank that appreciates your time and business.

Worst service I’ve ever seen. I’ve been to this branch 3-4 times and I am shocked at how I have to wait 10-15 minutes minimum every time I want to see a teller. This is why I don’t do regular banking with scotia. The staff are friendly, but the wait times are absolutely ridiculous. Never more than 2 tellers on at once; even during rush hour. Go to Td right next door and you will be served within 3 minutes max. Just sad.

On October 15 Morning 10: 10 (i was a second customer)
I didn't get any respect from a young lady on the counter
I was looking a service to send money to my sister while I was asking over the phone some information she told me I can't use a phone (she ask me to use outside?)

Writing to spread awareness of this branch and its heinous employees.

My family appointment with financial advisor Alex Li on May 20th 2020, to apply for a mortgage. We provided all of the necessary information and indicated that the closing date was September 14th 2021. Alex advised us that he would have the documents ready within a week and we left.

I followed up with Alex on May 25th, asking for an update and said he needed PDF versions of my bank statements for proof of the down payment. I provided him with the files and did not hear back. I emailed him again on June 15th, July 1st, and August 3rd asking him what is going on, and he made excuses saying he was either sick and/or on vacation. On September 1st, with only 2 weeks away from my closing the assistant manager Brenda Norwood called me. To my shock she did not even apologize for the inconvenience and told me that Alex had actually moved to the UK and his last day was on August 21st. Further, they magically lost all of our private and confidential documents that we had submitted.

Please think twice before seeking a mortgage from this branch because we have suffered for months because of their lack of customer care and disgusting behaviour.

Staff is friendly, but the tellers should tell you before hand how much is the fee before taking that out of your account. After the fee is charged it takes a day or so to come back, so why not to tell you in advance? Account managers rarely replies to emails, you have better luck walking along the sidewalk and seeing someone at the TD Bank than speaking with your own manager.

Terrible bank, will hold your funds whenever they want. I'm not talking about cheques or deposits either, I'm talking about money that's already been in your bank for a long time and it's just random, usually when you need it most like on a long weekend when you're about to pay for a meal or gas somewhere. Funds are unavailable because the bank is "performing maintenance tasks"

I had the pleasure to deal with Sebastien Landry over the phone today. I was trying to figure out a couple of things related to my account from the last 48 hours. I called the 1800 number three times and wasted around 2 hours with no solutions. Once got in touch with Sebastien at the Barrhaven branch he was able to resolve both my concerns in less than 30 minutes.
I will recommend anyone visiting the branch or planning to business at that branch to deal with Sebastien Landry and you wont be disappointed.

I ll give 0 star to them,
They are not helping at all, Last week I went to teller to get a letter, she told me she can't give that letter, go to home branch.

Then I booked an appointment with Financial Advisor and she refused to give me that letter also.

I have emailed to Branch manager too, but she didn't reply.

After that I just emailed to scotia Main Street Branch manager, they sent me that letter within couple of minutes.

The most appalling service I've ever received.
Closing a small business account during a pandemic without leaving a voicemail, an e-mail or letter. Terrible way to support small business Scotiabank - I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
Absolutely disgraceful. If I could give zero stars I would.
Anyone considering a small business account with Scotiabank should seriously consider shopping around.

Hours are horrendous. 10am-2pm?

How do you expect an essential worker to be able to come in an do any sort of banking with hours like that?

Terrible

Please use other bank.
Somehow I lost my access to online banking. They released a new card for me but still did not fix the problem. Cost me a few visit to get access again.
In the end of November, I decided not to use them anymore. 1st time I went to the scotiabank downtown to close the acc, 20$ for closing saving acc. The teller then told me I can only cancel my credit card via the phone. I called the number in the back of my credit card. The agent told me I had to book appoinment to cxl in person cause my account is student acc. The 2nd time, I went to this branch cause I opened my acc here plus it's close to my house. I have never had good experience with them but closing the cc should not be a complicated task to begin with.
But amazing how scotiabank still managed to make it bothersome for the client (as a goodbye I guess) =).
I made appointment to cxl the cc. The advisor helped me was in a rush. Just clicked close really fast without telling me if I have any owning balance. I didnt know cause I closed my bank acc 2 days before that and I didnt have online banking access anymore. At the time of closing I didnt see any balance. I can still see the credit card in my credit karma. But my friend told me it would take a long time to be taken off and it should not affect my credit score.
After 3 months of cc closing, the balance is still on my credit karma. And I lost 150 points in one month thanks to that scotiabank cc.

It was my fault anw. Wrong bank choice and I trusted the bank advisor too much.

Be better at choosing your bank everyone.

I've had nothing but good experiences dealing with both Brett (a young teller) and Carrie-Ann Jeffrey the assistant Manager. I found a great deal of respect for both my privacy and customer services at this branch by these individuals. I use Scotia Bank for personal and business banking needs and I would recommend them. In general, I find Scotia Bank more flexible when it comes to mortgages for personal home and rental properties. Thank you for all of your help thus far.

This bank certainly did not put their best foot forward. I had scheduled 2 appointments that were not honored; 3rd time was the charm, or so I thought. Went to them to transfer my mortgage well in advance. Scotia told me that I had to renew with my currently mortgage with a 6 month open ended term. When I question why and that I had never done that before, I was told because that was the law now? Turns out that was completely untrue. The rep.clearly dropped the ball & did not give himself enough time to process the funds.even though I started the process 3 months in advance. Wrote a email to the branch manager that went unanswered. Needless to say, they did not get my business as I had lost total confidence in them. My 18 year old was given the advice to name his girlfriend as a beneficiary to his investments!

Service is rude and the teller are slow. The tellers act like their are doing you by helping a client. There were 4 tellers and 3 people in line, the wait ended up being about 20 minutes. Also, at least once a year, Scotia messes up my account and mistakeningly adds fees where they shouldn't. Do not recommend.

This branch was great until this summer when they started being extraordinarily rude. They still have not disclosed a reason for their recent behaviour towards me. Avoid Scotiabank at all costs.

Never had a great time inside there. No one can take a joke and no one wants to help. I had a really bad time applying for a credit card there when I was a teen. The guy basically told me that I was in debt and my credit was wack. Turns out he was wack and made me cry on my bus back home for no reason. Total waste of my tears.smh.

The worst customer service I’ve ever had. Where should I even start? The Darker complexion lady with eyeglasses (Teller) has a very snobby attitude, always saying *mhmm, under her breathe* when trying to explain something to her. The supervisor, mid 30’s Caucasian lady with a ponytail gave me false information. I have a business account, been with the bank for over 7 years, this bank which isn’t branch by the way, gives me the hardest time ever to get my money when I deposit business cheque’s, all other scotiabank locations never gives me a hard time! They look at me as soon as I walk in the bank, and there gossiping behind the counter begins because they know it’s going to be a big fight, they never want to help when they really do have the ability to do so. Hell, it’s my money in the end! Save ur time and avoid this bank! Next time I’ll get names.

This review is specifically a shout for Carrie-Ann Jeffrey, Assistant Manager, who managed to turn a negative experience into a 5 star one!
After having lots of trouble with an application for a home equity loan, she took over the application and handled it with the upmost professionalism and attention to detail, turning the whole process into success.
Not only we got what we needed, but the bank went the extra mile and threw some perks to make up for the previous troublesome experience.
Get your appointment with Carrie-Ann and you'll be on great hands. Keep up the great work!

Always had good experiences with the bank itself. However, I work very early in the morning (430am) and when I have to stop there to use the machines and have found homeless people sleeping by the ATMs on a few occasions.