Complaints

This profile includes complaints for 1st Summit Bank's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  1st Summit Bank

  125 Donald Ln Johnstown, PA 15904-2829

• 

  1st Summit Bank

  109 William Penn Ave Cresson, PA 16630

• 

  1st Summit Bank

  924 Main St Portage, PA 15946-1902

• 

  1st Summit Bank

  Intersection/Rt 160 & Rt 869 Sidman, PA 15955

• 

  1st Summit Bank

  Rt 160 N Salix, PA 15952

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/18/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I had a vehicle loan with ***** ******* in Blairsville, PA which I refinanced on 1/19/23. They went out of business and it transferred to First Summit Bank around April or May, 2023. These are two separate entities and I did not sign any paperwork with First Summit Bank. When I had the vehicle loan with ***** *******, I was able to twice a year have the payment deferred. It had worked out greatly with them. I needed to have it deferred to pay taxes in May. I asked First Summit employees at the Latrobe branch. I kept getting excuses. Finally, around August, the manager told me to call another office taking care of it. The woman I spoke to agreed that ***** ******* and First Summit are two different entities. She gave me the excuse that they "couldn't figure out the interest" that is why they can not defer. I had never looked at my initial paperwork from ***** *******. I kept it in the envelope. When I explained this to a friend, he asked to see the paperwork from the 1/19/23 transaction, we realized that I was given a borrower's copy that have no signatures on it at all. By rights, this contract should be void. Not only did they not abide by the previous terms of agreement, it should be void. When ***** ******* went out of business, I should have had the opportunity to buy out my loan at a cheaper rate.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/29/2023

  In 2023, 1ST SUMMIT BANK became the new servicer of the
  former ***** ******* ****** Written communication about the transfer was sent
  to all impacted customers. The communication provided detailed information
  about the transfer, including contact and mailing address information for 1ST
  SUMMIT BANK.
  The Borrower asserts they were able to obtain a payment
  deferral twice per year at ***** ******** 1ST SUMMIT BANK does not currently
  offer a “skip-a-payment” program. While this service may have been offered by
  Value Finance (unsubstantiated), it was not a contractual agreement. That is to
  say, the “skip-a-payment” feature was not included as a guaranteed term of the
  loan, and accordingly, 1ST SUMMIT BANK is not required to offer the service.
  As it relates to communication with 1ST SUMMIT BANK
  employees, and an asserted delayed response from our community office
  personnel, our internal investigation found no evidence of an unreasonable
  delay. The Borrower requested a payment deferral in July of 2023, and again in
  August of 2023. The payment deferral requests were not granted, and
  communication of such was provided to the Borrower in a timely manner.     
  As it relates to the asserted unsigned document copies,
  the Borrower was provided with signed copies by 1ST SUMMIT BANK on September 14th,
  2023, while visiting a local community office location. The Borrower
  subsequently called the corporate office for an additional set of copies, which
  were mailed to the Borrower the same day. If the Borrower requires additional
  copies, they can be provided again.            
  1ST SUMMIT BANK prioritizes customer service and takes
  all customer complaints seriously. Accordingly, an internal investigation was
  conducted regarding this complaint. There were no service, legal, or other
  deficiencies noted from the investigation. While we can understand the Borrower
  enjoyed the alleged regular payment deferral obtained from Value Finance, that
  is not a currently offered, or contractually required, service from 1ST SUMMIT
  BANK. Further, the fact that the Borrower was allegedly provided with an
  unsigned copy of the loan documents at the loan closing does not extinguish the
  debt, nor does the fact that servicing was transferred from Value Finance to 1ST
  SUMMIT BANK. It should be noted that the Borrower is permitted, per the terms
  of their agreement, to refinance at any time without penalty. We trust this
  response is sufficient to bring a close to the matter.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/31/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am not liable for this debt with value finance inc. I do not have a contract with them. They did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/06/2023

  In response to the complaint *** ********* submitted 10/31/23, the complainant received an
  unsecured loan from Cambria Thrift on 11/06/19 in the amount of $2,040.00, evidence by the
  note.
  The last payment received from the complainant was on 3/31/21, which paid the 11/06/20 and
  12/06/20 payments, evidenced by the payment receipt we have on file. The complainant made
  11 out of 24 payments on this loan.
  In August 2021, Cambria Thrift’s name changed to Value Finance. All current customers
  received notification via mail of this name change. Nothing else about the company changed.
  On 10/13/21, the loan was charged off for nonpayment. The amount owed at that time was
  $1,160.00.
  If you would like to view the additional documents the Bank has to evidence the details
  provided above, please contact me.
  Sincerely,
  Jessica M*******
  Sr. Operational Risk Mgmt. & Compliance Officer

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/26/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 7/21/31, 1st Summit Bank charged a service fee of $6.95. Reportedly, this $6.95 is to be a monthly charge. Reportedly, the bank sent out letters in May stating this new charge. Instead of asking customers for their permission, the bank decided to impose this charge to customer's account. Reportedly, the bank is stating if you don't have this upgraded account that they can charge you $5.95 in your bank funds go below $100. How us this? It is not an overdraft. When I signed up for my account, no fees of this dort ever existed. I want my original contracted bank account back. No fees ever!!!!@

  Business Response

  Date: 07/27/2023

  1st Summit Bank performed a consumer checking
  product revamp and mailed appropriate letters to all affected customers in
  accordance with Regulation DD’s requirements. This letter included not only the
  details of the new account that customer’s accounts would be mapped to, but it
  also itemized differences between their current account and the new account
  that it was changing to. In addition, it explained their options to choose a
  different account type, had the one that was identified for them not been
  ideal.
  Detailed information about the new account lineup, along
  with simple surveys to help fit customers into the best account for their needs
  are also available on the 1st Summit Bank's website at www.1stummit.bank. Changing to a
  different consumer checking account is a simple option and can be easily
  accomplished by visiting any one of our 17 local Community Offices. Our team of
  dedicated professionals will fit you into the best solution per your needs. Thank
  you for being a loyal 1st Summit Bank customer. We truly appreciate your
  business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/17/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  

  In the letter it states that questions were asked before the check was deposited and I did not have any concerns. That is false information as I did not even use the Johnstown location to deposit the check. I used the Cresson 1st Summit and I asked the teller about Zelle but she DID NOT ask any additional questions as to the situation. She seemed to want to hurry along with her day and did not try to make any other type of conversation. Just to be clear I will pay back what was taken from me but I WILL be closing my account once this is settled. 

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ******* *****

  ot held and was showing as deposited in my bank application the next day so I forwarded $800 to ****** ******* and $778 to ****** ********. I forwarded the monies via Zelle on 2/15/2023. I received a call on 2/17/2023 from my bank explaining this was fraud and the account could not be found. I was told that I would be responsible to pay back the entire balance or charges would be pressed against me. I called and spoke to the Johnstown Office as well who stated "you didn't think to question this or explain the story to the teller". Through the entire process, only 1 representative was nice and all the rest were very rude and condescending. I have 2 children and live pay check to pay check while also trying to pay and plan a wedding for June. This was a big hardship on my and banks have fraud insurance to help with these situations but no help was offered except that they allowed me to make payments but will take 6+ months to pay back. Filed reports with state police & Attorney general.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/29/2023

  Dear Ms. ******: 

  In response to your request dated Friday, March 17, 2023, regarding ******* ***** (ID# ********), the following is the timeline of events that occurred: 
  

  02/14/23- Our Customer deposited a cashier's check drawn on **** ******* ****** ***** for $1,880.00. Due to Federal Regulation CC, we are unable to place a hold on a customer's account when depositing an official check. We did have a conversation with the customer asking what the funds were for. These questions are asked to help identify potential fraud. She did not have any concerns about the origination. 
  

  02/15/23 - The Customer used Zelle, a person-to-person transfer app on her phone, to send money to two different people: $778.00 was sent to one individual, and $800.00 was sent to a second individual. These are not the people who gave her the cashier's check, as it is listed in another payee's name. 
  

  02/17/23 - The check was returned to 1ST SUMMIT BANK by the issuing bank, **** ******* ****** *****, with the reason of "Account Not Found/Fraud." The Branch called the customer and explained what happened, and that she would be responsible for paying back the entire amount. It was at this time that our customer explained that she sold Mary Kay products. She said it was an order to an Amish Family, and they had mistakenly sent their money for the wedding reception to her, and not for the Mary Kay makeup. She then told us that the people whom she spoke with did not have their names anywhere on the check received nor on the Zelle payments. 
  

  We offered her the opportunity to pay back the amount by making a payment arrangement, instead of paying it back all at once. She was upset that she had been taken advantage of by fraudsters, but was thankful we were working with her. 
  

  She did return to the bank to make a payment and at that time said that she had been talking to some friends who told her that the "bank has insurance" to pay for these types of things. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We do offer protection when using our Visa Check Card for purchases, but not for when the customer initiated sending money to someone on a person-to-person app such as Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or the like. 
  
  1ST SUMMIT BANK takes great pride in protecting our customers from all types of fraud. Annual training is held with all customer-facing employees to review the most current schemes. We also have training material on our internal intranet for all employees to reference. We know that fraud is rampant in the US; and we educate our customers by utilizing our website, statement stuffers, and also notes on our own 1ST SUMMIT BANK app. We have software that alerts us to potential "red flag" situations. We also ask questions of customers when they deposit funds from outside of the area where they live; and if the customer chooses not to tell us anything, we warn them of fraud, but cannot elaborate if they don't believe it is. 
  

  Please let me know if there is any other information you need from 1ST SUMMIT BANK on this matter, and I would be happy to provide it. You may reach me at ###-###-#### or via email at *********************. 
  

  Sincerely, 
  

  Tonya *. K**** 
  Vice President