Consumer complaint received 2019-11-21
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: IL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
I have had a business account with Fifth Third since XXXX. This past year I have been racially profiled, and discriminated against. I am a XXXX  XXXX XXXX  every time I present a check I am insulted and derogatory remarks are made to me. 
Recently XX/XX/XXXX. I presented a business check for my XXXX  company in the amount of approx. {$7800.00}. They have cashed 3 prior checks all with scrutiny and insults.These are 203k loan checks from a lender called XXXX XXXX XXXX. The branch manager was very condescending asking where did i get this check? Is this fraud? .. I told him this is not a new transaction and a few checks have already cleared from this job Im working on. He proceeded to tell me that this check looks off and even though the check is issued by a XXXX XXXX company that I was a possible crook. He proceeded to to say how hes the branch manager and asking me these insulting questions were normal instead of looking at the transaction history or calling the bank. He gave completed deposit slip and laughed and held my check in his hands. This was not usually they wouldn't put check in drawer. I left only to find they had flag my check for fraud. I called l the bank and said I can give the contract from the lender and all paperwork they refused. Currently I am unable to conduct business and was told they must make sure Im not in a money laundering scheme to further add to insults. My work has come to a halt and my workers we are unpaid. My company is losing money everyday and unable to operate. I called the fraud department and was told it could take 30 or more days to investigate. My company will be out of business and I will lose my bank accounts and credibility I have worked for to achieve.The fact that they do not want documentations or to merely call the institution further displays their sabotage against my company for personal issues. The checks are cut on a 203k loan to the contractor and homeowner.The homeowner endorses check and contractor deposits it.This is a normal practice and one I have already completed a few times with this bank. All transactions have been a hassle and costly against my company.I am being discriminated against I know personally several contractors that bank with fifth third and do not have these complications with the exact same deposit process.If they had an issue with my deposit they could have given my check back and let me conduct business with an institution that respects small businesses. Instead of trying to destroy my company. XXXX XXXX the fraud inspector is aware and was the one claiming i may be part of a money laundering scheme and continued to deny documentation and hurl insults instead.his number is XXXX. Further he has poor communication skills dose n't answer calls while destroying companies. I have a timeline with the lending institution to complete this job. Due to the negligence and harassment and the physical interruption of my business by Fifth third bank I may lose my account and pay fines.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation