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Happy State Bank & Trust Company, a Division of Centennial BankReviews
This profile includes reviews for Happy State Bank & Trust Company, a Division of Centennial Bank's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Review Ratings
Average of 6 Customer Reviews
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Review fromAlfred D
Date: 04/24/2025
1 starAlfred D
Date: 04/24/2025
I initially chose Happy State Bank because it was a smaller, local institution, and I assumed the experience would be more personal and pleasant than with the major banks. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.
While I have to commend the staff for their kindness and professionalism, my overall banking experience has been incredibly frustrating. I’ve incurred numerous late and NSF fees totaling hundreds of dollars, and I still don’t fully understand how their system operates. I often see a charge reflected in my balance immediately, only to be hit with an NSF fee for that same charge days later.
The system feels designed to profit from customer fees, and each time I call for clarification, I get inconsistent explanations. It’s confusing, discouraging, and I constantly feel like I’m being taken advantage of.
Unless you're okay with frequent, unexplained fees, I would strongly recommend banking elsewhere. This has not been the transparent or customer-first experience I hoped for.
Happy State Bank & Trust Company, a Division of Centennial Bank
Date: 06/05/2025
Centennial Bank received the complainant's review and has responded to the complainant. Centennial Bank provides all disclosures to customers at account opening.Review fromJason T
Date: 09/03/2024
1 starI was a long time customer of this bank, but since Centennial Bank took over, I've had nothing but problems! And since they took $****** UNAUTHORIZED, I had to close my account. This should be illegal, but when I called customer service to get this corrected, I couldn't get a clear reason and they said I couldn't do anything about it. If ANYONE asks what bank they should use, I will never tell them to use this bank and I will continue to give bad reviews anywhere I find to do so.Review fromPeter W
Date: 08/20/2024
5 starsI have had a physical gold IRA with GST since February 2018, and I could not be happier. I bought bullion gold coins from a large local dealer I have used for years (***** ******** ****** in Shiner) and the gold went to the depository and I never touched it, but I got the receipts I usually get from TPM. I bought at about $1300, today gold is over $2500. I have only ever bought bullion coins from a trusted dealer, which are priced per ounce, and the prices are known 24/7 at places like *********. Numismatic coins, often sold by TV celebrity salesmen, have no fixed value and this whole space is rife with fraud. Stay away from numismatic coins. The $150 GST annual fee is LOWER than the expense ratios for gold ETFs like GLDM, SGOL, and IAU for a holding of my size. Sure, if your holding is small, the $150 fee is a drag, but the problem isn't GST, it's a you problem. If you don't have $100k to invest, you should just keep your gold allocation in an ETF, because the higher expense ratio still scales per share, whereas GSTs fee is flat (which I love). I get to pay with after-tax money, which is like making additions to the Roth, instead of being a drag to the Roth, and I get 2% cash back on my credit card on the fees. I can buy a candy bar, I guess. Yes, there are large exit fees... same thing at ******* ******, or *********. I'm not going to exit for a number of years more. When gold doubled again and peaks out around $5000-$6000 maybe I'll head for the exit. I have not had problems with customer service. I get my statements for free by email... they sent out a memo about that. People didn't read it, but they still complain. Some customers carry their problems around with them wherever they go. I try to be patient and work with the staff who are there, it's always better.Review fromleo p
Date: 04/19/2023
1 starGoldstar Trust Company must be going out of business. There is no customer service and no way for a customer to transfer accounts to another custodian. They say that they have phone system issues but that excuse is over a year old.
Email brings little satisfaction. Staff does not solve issues or follow through with the customer. Often totally non responsive.
Customer assets are inaccessible which is no different than if the company is bankrupt or criminally engaged in stealing assets.
apparently time for legal action.Review fromJane K
Date: 07/22/2022
1 starJane K
Date: 07/22/2022
If I could give negative stars, I would. GoldStar Trust company has had poor communication, long waits to get to talk to someone (latest was 45 minutes on hold), and awful fees. I was not sent a notice of a paper fee and when called to discuss it was dismissed. I sent in emails and not answered. I finally am trying to liquidate the account. Contacted company to find out about process but did not hear back. I called and was on hold for 45 minutes. Only to be told they were still charging me storage and mtce fees on top of shipping and account termination (which are exuberant) - it is high way robbery! VERY unprofessional company. GO, no RUN, to another company.Happy State Bank & Trust Company, a Division of Centennial Bank
Date: 08/05/2022
Centennial Bank, dba Happy State Bank, takes all complaints seriously and has thoroughly investigated. GoldStar Trust Company (GoldStar) is a division of Centennial Bank. GoldStar extends a sincere apology for any inconvenience caused by long hold times or delayed response to emails. GoldStar has been experiencing extremely high call volumes/emails and is working diligently on ways to improve efficiency. An updated fee schedule was mailed to all GoldStar customers on 07.21.22 and no return mail was found to be logged for the customer. GoldStar's internal call records indicate that the customer contacted the call center on 07.22.22 to discuss fees due, how to liquidate, transfer and close the account. The Call Center Representative was able to answer the customer's questions and the Bank appreciates the opportunity to respond to the customer's concerns.Review fromBonney M
Date: 07/20/2022
1 starBonney M
Date: 07/20/2022
Since HSB has merged with Centennial, customer service has been non-existent. Three times, it has taken me over 30 minutes just to get someone on the phone -- all the while listening to a token recording about how Centennial values its relationships between "real people" and "real bankers." After 30 minutes, I've spoken with call-center personnel who aren't trained in banking and don't have the answers. I've been with HSB since 2008, when I started at the university, and will be changing banks.Happy State Bank & Trust Company, a Division of Centennial Bank
Date: 08/02/2022
Happy State Bank, a division of Centennial Bank, reviewed the complaint and acknowledges that the customer felt concern with not receiving the level of service they deserve. Happy State Bank takes all complaints seriously and extends a sincere apology for any inconvenience created by the Bank's merger and conversion. The Bank has been experiencing extremely high call volumes and is working diligently on ways to improve efficiency. The Bank's internal call records indicate that the customer contacted the Bank's Customer Care Center (CCC) on 06.24.22 and 07.20.22, regarding mobile deposits. The CCC representative was able to answer the customer's questions and the Bank appreciates the opportunity to respond to the customer's concerns.
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