Consumer complaint received 2022-04-22
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: IL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-issue: Application denied

Complaint:
Hello, I applied for a credit card with Chase Bank for $ XXXX and I was denied. The reason that I can understand is that this was discrimination. I was looking to do a balance transfer on a current credit card that has no payments and a balance of about $ XXXX. The reason why I believe this is discriminatory is based on the following : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( formerly XXXX XXXX ) and am a former XXXX XXXX XXXX for sales XXXX. I have had an account with them since 1995 - with no benefits ( they just continued to make money off me ) XXXX. I was a former XXXX  with them XXXX. At the time, I had about $ XXXX on deposit XXXX. My income is $ XXXX per year XXXX. I have been a XXXX for four years XXXX. MY CREDIT SCORE WAS XXXX! 

I took out two small Private Plus Student Loans for my son, who is graduating with honors as a student XXXX at XXXX University in the of $ XXXX and $ XXXX respectively. Both of these loans are in deferment because he is graduating in XXXX. 

They indicated the reason for the decline was the amount of balance and availability. The credit I was looking to payoff had a total credit amount of $ XXXX and I owed $ XXXX but I was looking to pay it off with this loan! I had XXXX other available credit cards with XXXX balances with $ XXXX and $ XXXX available respectively. I have since closed both of those accounts. 

How can I not believe this was discriminatory? They do not have a favorable reputation of lending ( I know this from experience with CRA ) of lending in XXXX and brown communities. They love taking money out of those communities but dont do anything to give back. Im sure if you pull their lending practices based on ethnicity, you will see a pattern of declined opportunities like mine, except in affluent communities. Again, this is hard for me because I work there, gave many years of service there and made a lot of money for them. 

I tried working with them directly by sending an email, going to banking center and speaking with a rep and calling, only to be transfer five times to different departments. They sent me a letter to call, however, no one was able to assist me based on this generic letter that only appear to pacify me and check an internal box. 

Since, then I have had offers ( one for $ XXXX - with a XXXX score and $ XXXX based on this XXXX score ), with XXXX place, I had no current relationship with. 

This was mostly, embarrassing. As I sat in front of the person, who took my information and then disclosed I was declined. I was then provided information like I had bad credit, which is a natural assumption. She should be able to pick up the phone internally and speak to someone about that decision. However, Chase is to big and its a situation of mind over matter, they dont mind because I dont matter. People of XXXX never do and their elitist nature makes us believe they are doing us a favor, so we dont have to go to check cashing places, which dominate our communities. Im a professional, live in an influential community, have means but happen to be XXXX XXXX. 

Im sending this because this isnt right, its not fair, I believe its discriminatory and they shouldnt be allowed to take money out of minority communities and not give back. How people like me are out there or people that really need help. Chase needs to be accountable and I hope you can look into this matter and do something about it. My next step is to take this to the media - that seems to draw more attention than hiring an attorney. 

Thank you in advance for looking into matter. 

XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation