Consumer complaint received 2023-06-16
Company: BMO HARRIS BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: NV
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Funds not received from closed account

Complaint:
I am the XXXX to my Sisters Estate. I discovered that XXXX had a Checking Account with Bank of the West in XXXX XXXX, CA. XXXX also had an IRA with that XXXX XXXX XXXX of the Bank. I contacted the bank branch and I was told that somebody walked in with a Death Certificate and closed out both Accounts. When I questioned who that person was, the bank would not release any information to me. They asked for proper Identification from me before they would give any more information. 
I immediately faxed those documents to them including a Death Certificate for XXXX, My " Letters of Special Administrator '', A Small Estate Affidavit and a Copy of my NV Driver 's License. When I called back to XXXX a second time she still would not tell me anything. She said, " Somebody came in with a Death Certificate and that they closed out the Accounts. She was listed on the Death Cert so she is the Beneficiary. ". When I argued that point she stopped talking all together. I explained to the bank that IF there IS a Beneficiary for the accounts that is fine. It is the Law. BUT, I need verification of that. I can not just say OK. They can't account for the money, they can't provide documentation of a Beneficiary and they refuse to answer my inquiries. I have since taken this farther up the ladder to the Bank XXXXs Headquarters in SF, CA. I gave them a two week window to complete an investigation to account for the missing funds and that I be notified of those results. I have emailed the Chief CEO since then also. 
( I believe it was the CEO ) My Mother passed away prior to XXXX and XXXX was XXXX of Moms beneficiaries. In addition to her Residence, my Mother also had an IRA with XXXX Bank in XXXX, OR. for the amount of $ XXXX and Mom had Beneficiaries listed on the IRA XXXX so it was easily distributed because the Courts were not necessary in this matter. I sent my XXXX her allotment of {$11000.00}. That check was signed and deposited XXXX hours before my XXXX 's death. XXXX was in ICU and then transferred to XXXX prior to her passing. She was not at the bank the day that check was deposited. She did not endorse the check on her deathbed. When I questioned the Bank and requested they compare signatures with the one they have on file they wouldn't. They did not and will not. The bank 's latest reply has been that the Accounts are closed and gone. There is nothing they can do about it now. I questioned them about a XXXX Department or XXXX without getting any reasonable response from them. When I questioned the signature on the {$11000.00} Cashier 's Check the bank 's reply was that they don't require ID, or require checks be Endorsed unless it is a Tax Return or a Government Issued check. WHAT??? No ID required? No Signature required? Something is NOT right here. There is a sizable amount of money that is unspoken for. My job as the XXXX is to Collect, Protect, Liquidate and Distribute the XXXX. I can not account for whatever my XXXX had in this Banking XXXX. I have demanded answers on this garbage. 
I know who the suspected fake " XXXX '' is. XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX. Our Family has known her most of our lives. She is a friend and roommate to my Sister and nothing more. She is not part of our Family and as far as I know should not have any authority to close out bank accounts that were not hers. The bank can not prove any different information. Regardless, nobody is willing to provide documents to settle this problem. 
The Bank has since called on XXXX and verified that XXXX did not have a beneficiary on her accounts and that XXXX was indeed the person who presented a death certificate and a sworn Affidavit claiming to be the legal beneficiary and the bank released the cash to her with that alone. 
XXXX knows she has no right to the money my XXXX had in her accounts and has stated so to a mutual friend. XXXX claims that I deserve the money but she is going to fight me until the money 's gone. 
I am the only remaining survivor to my XXXX and those funds are to be placed in a XXXX Account until the Courts, and myself as XXXX, distribute them as per Law. 
Thank you, XXXX XXXX XXXX

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 monetary relief