I divorced my company's bank last year. This was challenging because the only times I've switched banks in the past is when I've moved to another state. For my company, I had chosen a national bank with branches in the states where I knew my company would be doing business.

Leaving one bank for another was fraught with emotional and logistical challenges. I had spent three years with the same bank. And I had suffered problems almost every month because of banker incompetence or one department not knowing what the other department was doing. But I also felt helpless, like somehow it was my fault, and I couldn't bear the thought of all the paperwork and tracking that would be necessary to make a change.

One case that epitomizes the fiascos: I had our corporate credit card limit split into two parts (a 75/25 split) to allow for two balances on two individual cards for two different company employees. The bank walked me through the steps on how we'd accomplish this. The only hitch was that I wanted all of the outstanding balance placed on my card--with 75 percent of the credit limit to cover it all--and have the other card be balance-free. The bank then moved forward with the process of splitting the balances. But in doing so, the card that was supposed to remain balance-free was frozen because it now exceeded the credit limit.

"But it went over the credit limit because you were in the process of splitting the credit limit and hadn't transferred the balance over to my card-- it wasn't really over the limit," I explained to the banker.

"I know, but our system registered it as being over the limit, so now you have to write us a letter and fax it to us explaining what happened so we can unfreeze the account," the banker responded.

This was par for the course. Every mistake they made--from misspelling our names three times even with our ID cards in front of the bankers to freezing accounts because of a miscalculation--required us to write and fax the bank letters of explanation to undo the damage the bankers had done.

Finally, I reached out to another national bank, explained my situation, and that bank virtually held my hand through the entire process of switching accounts and getting a line of credit. I finally had a banker who owned up to mistakes--hey, we're all human--and worked hard to rectify situations that weren't ideal to make sure our banking business ran smoothly.

"Choosing the right banker is something I always preach to startups, because that relationship is so important," says Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin, 47, CEO and creative director of Tribe Inc., a branding company in Atlanta. "My banker now is a small private bank after a disastrous experience with one of the big banks."

Cogswell Baskin offers an example of why she loves her bank.

"When we were about to move into our new office space several years ago, I was on vacation, sitting on the beach thinking about how I was going to cover all the new furniture and build-out expenses out of cash flow. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks: Any guy I knew would just get a loan. So I called my banker and said I wanted to do a loan for the move and he said, 'Sure, how much?' By the time I got back to town, he had the paperwork ready and drove it over to my office to sign."

For Cogswell Baskin, her hesitancy to switch banks was the logistics. She felt no loyalty to the national bank itself.

"What I want from my banker is another smart professional on my team of business advisors," Cogswell Baskin says. "My personal banker is the No. 2 guy in the bank, and the president of the bank is also involved in my business. With my former bank, they assigned me some kid a year out of college."

Cogswell Baskin also complained that her former bank put holds on her deposits without any apparent reason, even checks from major clients such as Whole Foods and UPS.

"Before I figured this out," Cogswell Baskin says, "I bounced a check to my lawyer, which was particularly embarrassing since she's a friend and neighbor. I was so mortified, I'd hide behind a bush whenever I was out running and saw her minivan coming down the street."

When she finally decided to switch banks, her new banker handled everything, including filling out the paperwork so all she had to do was sign. The banker even paid to have new checks printed (so did mine), and brought it all to her so she didn't even have to go to the bank.

"Women tend to place a higher importance on relationships than men do, so I would advise banks targeting women business owners to get to know their clients," Cogswell Baskin says. "I can call my bank and just say, 'Hey, it's Elizabeth at Tribe,' and they know who I am. That's important to me. Women business owners will be more loyal to a bank if they have a personal relationship with their banker, and if they get the sense that their bank really cares about their business."

Cher Przelomski, owner of Planning Factory International, an event planning company, recently decided to take her company's business from one bank to another. She was tired of having a bank that had paid attention to her at first, but then just stopped "hearing" her.

She moved her business to a community-oriented bank that made her feel like more than a number. She moved three checking accounts--including her personal account--and got a line of credit approved in 10 minutes based on her company's reputation and a quick run of the numbers.

I also moved my personal bank account to the bank where my company does business. Frankly, it makes sense that I receive good banking care for both my professional and personal life, and it was another way to strengthen my relationship with my banker.

Veterinarian Anne Chauvet, 41, relied on her banker when she wanted a $500,000 loan. She wanted to purchase a new MRI machine for her clinic, Veterinary Neuro Services and Pet Rehab & Performance Center, and she wanted to make other upgrades as well.

But a larger bank had bought out Chauvet's bank, and she didn't feel it was providing the same level of personalized service anymore.

Meanwhile, her original loan officer had started his own community bank. She moved all her accounts there, and he was the banker who provided her with the $500,000 loan for her million-dollar business, a major show of confidence.

"I do not know why people are hesitant to switch banks," Chauvet says. "In my opinion, the consumer needs to look at what the bank is doing and what they are providing in securities. Personally, I prefer smaller banks that are up and coming, where the service is personable and caring, a place where they know your name, where the monthly statement actually balances and I do not feel in a cattle chute as in most larger banks. I also like a bank because of the staff and the listening and helping powers."

Chauvet's message to banks is this: "When a woman applies for a loan, do not treat her like a little lady but like a businessperson. When I file a complaint or concern, do not judge me by my clothes or my looks but rather by my records. Do not lose my application. Do not ignore my calls, and please return them promptly."

If you are wondering about changing banks, Chauvet says to be bold.

"Interview banks; do not let them interview you. Select a handful of banks, ask to meet their lender and bring all of them the same questions. [Ask them] what they know about your business. Ask the bank the percent funding and success. Ask to see data. You are interviewing. Trust your instincts. Take a business card and tell them you will be in touch within a week with your decision on whether you will let this bank consider your loan application or accounts."

Says Cogswell Baskin, "Choose the banker rather than the bank. You want someone who knows you, someone you trust, someone you can count on to have your back. I've actually followed my banker around to several different banks over the years. I don't care what the logo on the building is, I care about the caliber of the people inside."

For more advice on the topic, read Aliza's blog post, "More Thoughts on Switching Banks."