1 /5 S Chuck (FlyByNight): Simmons Bank...
I could probably stop right there and everyone would know there was a problem.
I received a $15k+ insurance check for hail damage to my home, made payable to myself and Simmons Bank, as a lien holder. I took the check to Simmons in Gainesville. They stated that the check would have to be put into a draft account, which would take "some time", and then I could submit an invoice when the roofer is done, at which point Simmons would cut a check to the roofer, and pay me out any excess. It took Simmons Bank a week and two calls from me to set up the draft account.
I submitted an invoice from the excellent roofing company Cooke County Roofing on Friday, July 26, expecting that, as stated, Simmons Bank would cut a check for the roofer. Nope. They said the invoice had to be submitted to their corporate office BY MAIL and a check would be sent in 2 weeks BY MAIL. I questioned this, since its 2024 and most transactions are now electronic.
Simmons called me back later and said they could have a check to the roofer on Monday, July 29, which they did. They told me that my remaining balance of $2100 would be issued as a check later that day after corporate approval. The employee said she would call me when it was approved. They never called.
I drove to Simmons Bank in Gainesville on Tuesday, July 30, assuming she just got busy and forgot to call me, but no, she hadnt received authorization to issue the check. I asked if they could please inquire as I had driven 20 minutes to town. I then drove around about an hour and went back. They still had no authorization.
I went in one last time on Friday, August 2, and a different employee emailed the corporate office. Later that afternoon corporate called. They will not release the money unless there are additional repairs made to the house that were stated in the adjusters notes...a couple of holes in the siding, torn screens, and dents in window A/C units. The screens I plan to fix, but the holes arent worth the effort, and the window units are fine.
So....Simmons Bank will NOT issue a check for the remaining $2100 as stated by the Gainesville branch. I would have to submit invoices for every small expense and beg for reimbursement from my insurance check balance. I offered to let them apply the money to the loan, but they wont even do that. So the money sits in their bank, making them interest, and they refuse to release the funds to me.
Simmons Bank for me is a problem at every transaction. I have a loan there but thankfully not an account. Even getting a receipt for a loan payment takes 10 minutes.
Simmons Bank, the worst bank in Gainesville.