Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust

Pros: Every imaginable need met.
Cons: Limited locations - mainly Northern Virginia, they are slowly expanding.

I stumbled upon Burke and Herbert bank and Trust in 1984 when I started working for a company that used them as their bank. I left the bank several times as a matter of convenience due to their limited locations at the time. I have always returned to ...

Pros: Old-fashioned personal service, reasonable fees.
Cons: They don't pay the highest interest rates.

The best surprise is no surprise. As of 2002, Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company is celebrating its 150th anniversary (they are the oldest bank in Virginia). They serve the Alexandria, Virginia area. They have no pretensions to being anything other...

Pros: Nice people, nice bank. Easy to deal with.
Cons: Not many branches, online banking is so-so.

I really like this bank. When my mortgage company changed (raised) the amount debited from my account, causing an overdraft, B&H paid it for me, then called and asked me to deposit the difference "when it is convenient for you, a day or so it fine", almost unheard of. I should mention that I don't keep a huge amount in my account so it was not a case of keeping a high-net worth client happy, they were just keeping a customer happy. The staff doesn't turn over much, all of them know me by name, and they don't treat me like a potential criminal like most other banks by constantly asking for ID even though I've banked there for years, or forcing you to use that stupid fingerprint system.

Pros: Friendly, helpful people. The Bank is rooted in the community and service is outstanding.
Cons: It would be great if they were in Maryland and DC -- maybe someday!

When I needed to open a business account about 12 years ago after discovering my biz partner was dipping into our account, I had to find a bank on the spur of the moment. Lucky for me, I walked into Burke & Herbert. I was distraught over the circumstances but immediately felt like I had come "home." Since then our whole family has opened accounts and I will always have a banking relationship with this Bank. At big banks a person is a nobody. At Burke & Herbert you feel important no matter how big or small your balance is.