Consumer complaint received 2020-05-21
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Didn't receive terms that were advertised

Complaint:
A Citibank associate, XXXX XXXX, aggressively urged me to open a NEW business bank account at his citibank institution in XXXX XXXX, ca, in order to take advantage of a promotion whereby i would be credited a {$700.00} bonus, if i deposited {$25000.00} and left it in the new business account for 60 days.As a result, to specifically take advantage of the promo the citibank branch was offering, i opened a new business account for my business XXXX XXXX XXXX, and within the first 30 days, i funded the account with the required {$25000.00}, AND the balance remained over {$25000.00} for the required 60 days. I never received the promised {$700.00} bonus. The business banker, XXXX, agreed that i had done all the requirements of the promotion and did not understand why Citibank had not deposited the {$700.00} into my business account. and encouraged me to KEEP my new business account at Citibank, for an additional 6 mos, while he did a respectful job of filling 3 disputes with Citibank disputes dept, agreeing I met the qualifications of the bonus offered by the branch for the full bonus of {$700.00}. {$200.00} was deposited into the business account, with no explanation as to why the amount was reduced by {$500.00}. I called and wrote the manager for the Citibank branch, and never received a response from the manager, XXXX, except an email to say she ALSO did not know why Citibank had not honored the promotional bonus promise of {$700.00} for my business account, but that " there was nothing she could do ''. 
I sent 20 emails, and spent 9 hours on the phone, attempting to get resolution to the promotional practice which occurred in the XXXX XXXX branch of Citibank -- -it appears to be a bait and switch practice, as the branch did not fulfill the promised bonus, even though clearly the new business client, XXXX XXXX XXXX , fulfilled the terms. 

I fulfilled Citibanks obligation regarding the offer ; I specifically was encouraged to open a new business account at the Citibank branch in order to take advantage of a cash offer of {$700.00}, and id like a resolution to this matter. 
The Citibank customer service reps I have spoken to have advised me to take up the problem with the branch manager. I have repeatedly requested a conference call or meeting with the Citibank branch manager, and she neither returns call or emails.

I have been a faithful non-business Citibank customer for decades, and I now own XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX.. Ms XXXX XXXX  is the branch manager of the Citibank branch , and XXXX XXXX was the rep who actively ASKED for my business in opening a new business account and per HIS urging, I funded it with XXXX within 30 days of opening, and kept the funds in the account for 60 days, in order to " GET A {$700.00} bonus ''. I clearly completed the requirements of this promotional offer, and even the banker that offered the promotion has agreed, in writing, that i have completed all requirements of the promotion HE offered me, yet said " i dont know why Citibank has not followed through with the {$700.00} bonus on your business account -- -but keep your business account open with Citibank XXXX until there is a resolution! ". 
i have in writing, from Mr XXXX the bonus offer, as i asked him to write on a post it not the exact offer and requirements, and i have kept this post in in my file, in mr XXXX XXXX handwriting. I also asked for a COPY of the paper Mr XXXX shared with me regarding the terms of the bonus -- -his " promo sheet '', Mr XXXX would not allow me to copy his " promotional offer sheet '', stating it was for bankers only. It appears the INSTITUTION of Citibank has encouraged their private bankers to offer incentives to customers, to encourage new business, but does NOT follow through, and does not actually provide the business customers the incentive promised ( in my case, the incentive was {$700.00} for depositing $ XXXX for 60 days, which was done, and remained in the account for 63 days ). 
It goes without saying the repercussions that were felt in the industry for shady banking practices of this sort-, IE : XXXX XXXX  lost millions for opening accounts without customers permissionand a practice of encouraging a customer to open a new account for a bonus -- -then not providing the promised bonus, is clearly a bait and switch tactic, that was employed by this Citibank branch in 2019, and although I have spent considerable time attempting to get a resolution, it appears the corporate Citibank office decision is to encourage the bait and switch promotion tactic, and not provide customers with bonuses, even when all terms of the promotion are fulfilled. 

I am asking Citibank reimburse me the {$500.00} bonus which is still due on my business account immediately. 

I also received an incorrect 1099 for XXXX XXXX XXXX submitted for 2019 ( forwarded to XXXX XXXX twice, with no resolution ). The 1099 is for {$300.00} interest income ; the account earned no interest and was credited with only {$200.00} in 2019. 

I look forward to resolution to both above listed matters this week, or i would like to escalate this to the next level, if you can please let me know how to hold Citibank responsible for their promotional bonus offers. I am a XXXX female  XXXX XXXX -- -fully taken advantage of by Citibank promotional practice, by a banker IN THEIR branch, when i went into the XXXX XXXX branch to pay my credit card. It has been more than 6 mos since the {$700.00} bonus was due, and i am still told to " keep your Citibank business account with us, just in case they decide to deposit your promotion bonus ''. Hence, i still have an active business account for XXXX XXXX XXXX at Citibank. 

Best, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX 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 explanation