Stay away! - Anonymous employee Silicon Valley Bank Employee Review

1.0
16 Mar 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They're great if you love the typical Silcon Valley perks (coffee service, free food, covered parking, gym, game room, etc.) to mask the fact that they're a sweat shop.

Cons

They've taken the "Client First" mantra to the extreme where there is no work-life balance. A standard weekday report suddenly becomes an emergency on the weekend if it involves a client. Almost all project workloads are generated by audit due to compliance issues. There is no career path for people in IT. Management personnel decisions are made without employee input. Staffing levels are insufficient. One IT leader is known for inappropriate emails. People are burnt-out and management downplays or ignores complaints. IT management is better at fire-fighting than strategic planning.

Explore other reviews about Silicon Valley Bank

5.0
13 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People are nice and it's a great culture company to work.

Cons

can not think of it

1.0
31 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pre-2023, excellent culture and team environment, strong compensation and bonuses, and generous budgets that supported employees well.

Cons

Since the 2023 bankruptcy, the company has struggled to regain its identity. There has been significant turnover in senior leadership, and much of the experienced management team has departed. This has led to inconsistent direction, frequent misalignment between leadership messaging and execution, and a noticeable decline in employee confidence. Compensation, bonuses, and career progression opportunities have become less competitive, and overall employee support has diminished. The organization now feels more like a rebranded extension of First Citizens rather than the distinct institution it once was. There is also an over-layering of management, with too many overlapping roles and unclear accountability, which slows decision-making and creates unnecessary complexity. Finally, the company has lost much of its competitive edge post-2023, with ongoing client attrition and reputational challenges that employees are left to address without clear strategic direction.

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