Consumer complaint received 2017-05-08
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
I went into Bank Of America on   XXXX   XXXX  , 2017 to open a savings account. I spent over 2 hours with a banker who tried to convince me to move over retirement and business banking over to the bank once he found out I was a business owner. I placed {$100.00} in the account and then remembered I had a personal check that had been given to me. I explained to the banker that I make it a habit to never deposit personal checks in my account from non family members and that I had been meaning to stop by Bank of America to cash the check and since I was there opening an account could he have the check cashed and the funds also deposited into my account because the line had 15 people in it. I had already spent so much time with him opening the account. He had me fill out a deposit slip and stated that he 'd take care of it.
He then brought me back the receipt and set up an appointment to follow up with me on  XXXX / XXXX /2017 for other banking products.
I did'nt notice at the time that the check had been deposited into my account and not cashed as I had requested.
The next day I received a call from Bank of America stating that they were closing the Savings account. No reason given and I did inquire as to why and was given the statement that " there 's nothing wrong we just choose not to do business with you ''. I thought this was strange because I have several accounts at different banks and credit unions all in good standing.
I received a check in the mail from Bank of America a week later for {$88.00}. {$12.00} less than my initial cash deposit because the check had not cleared. So in essence I was penalized for a check that I asked the banker to cash. Then to add insult to injury I find out a month later that I have been put in   XXXX   XXXX   for closure of account due to unpaid charges from Bank of America.
I go back to the local branch of Bank of America on   XXXX   XXXX  , 2017 due to   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   notifying me that I 'm in   XXXX   XXXX   and unable to open an account so I can apply for a Private Student Loan for my daughter. I speak to the bank manager who stated it was his first day in the branch and that I would need to call the RIsk Department because he would have no authority to assist me with the issue.
I then call the Risk Department of BOA and they tell me that I 'm not in   XXXX   XXXX   and they 're not sure where that information could be coming from.
So I call   XXXX   XXXX   and they tell me that I am indeed in   XXXX   XXXX    and that I need to dispute the information. I place a dispute and call BOA back. When I call the bank back I am again told that they did n't send anything to   XXXX   XXXX  . I explain that I just got off the phone with   XXXX   XXXX   and they are showing information in their system for unpaid charges. I also explain I have never had a banking relationship with BOA other than the savings account that was open on   XXXX   XXXX   and consequently closed on   XXXX   XXXX  . I have no unpaid charges and there was no valid reason for them to place my name in   XXXX   XXXX  . The representative gets a supervisor they look over the account and she comes back and states that it appears its an error and it will be cleared up within 10 days. She apologizes for the inconvenience assures me it will be taken care of. I also inquired as to whether the check that did n't clear had any bearing on the reason for the account closure and was told there would n't have been any issues if this check had cleared. So I assumed this was a way of telling me without stating the check was the real reason for the account closure.
Then on   XXXX   XXXX  , 2017, I receive a letter dated   XXXX   XXXX  , 2017 stating the closure of the account was valid and that they would not be removing me from   XXXX   XXXX  . I have done nothing to warrant my name being placed in   XXXX   XXXX   and need this information removed immediately. If the banker would have followed my instructions the check would have never been placed in the account.
This is causing me harm as I am in the process of getting a private student loan for my daughter and ca n't proceed until this is cleared. I am also trying to secure a new Merchant Account for my business and may not be able to do so due to this information.
I have also reached out to the person who wrote me the check and BOA has done no adverse action against them except for a {$35.00} charge for a returned check.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief