Consumer complaint received 2021-03-18
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE
State: PA
Product: Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan
Sub-product: Personal line of credit
Issue: Struggling to pay your loan

Complaint:
We have a Home Equity Line of Credit- which the bank now calls " Personal Line of Credit '' even though the loan is attached to the house- and there is no line of credit anymore. There hasn't been for a couple years. We are both still on unemployment and have lost substantial income during this pandemic. I am in the process of starting my own XXXX XXXX XXXX and will be building it starting XX/XX/XXXX. However, It is a building process that takes time. Like a year. No salary. 100 % commission ... but GREAT money once you establish a client base. I have over 25 years in this industry and know how to make money at it. 

I received two letters, about being 2 months behind on our loan payments and to call for help, to avoid foreclosure. One dated in early XXXX and the latest on date XX/XX/XXXX, showing a balance of {$300000.00} and amount due of {$2800.00} with late fees of {$650.00}. I have asked NUMEROUS times to have the due date moved to AFTER the XXXX of the month, when I receive my monthly residual check. Which has gone from {$5500.00} a month to {$1400.00} a month ( This is gross- taxes- {$480.00} in XXXX XXXX that I have to pay ... so I get like {$500.00} now, instead of {$4000.00} ) from clients falling off because they were closed, lack of business, or out of business. I sell merchant services to restaurants and retail mainly.. 

At the beginning of this Pandemic, they allowed us a 6 month forbearance ( XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX ). Our Unemployment did not kick in until Late XXXX, because they were so back loggeed and overwhelmed. We were struggling to make ends meet, because we had stay at home orders in XXXX County Pa for 2 - 3 months at the time. I am an outside door to door sales rep, and could not do my job remotely, and I am 100 % commission. NOBODY wanted to meet. I could not do my job, due to Covid-19. Still haven't been able to. I just got my 2nd vaccine, and I am going to start this new venture in my 25 year career. 

I called them today, XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX for their " help ''. I mentioned the newly passed " American Rescue Plan Act of XXXX '' that passed on XX/XX/XXXX ( 7 days ago ) and wanted to know what are my options for this relief, since we are still unemployed ... ... .just a quick step back.., ... I had resumed making these payments since XX/XX/XXXX, and have paid everything through XX/XX/XXXX, so not sure how they think I am 2 months behind. I still can't hit their due date, because I need the extra money from my monthly residual, added to the Unemployment to make that happen. So, they keep charging late fees. So they basically told me I could not do a 2nd forbearance. I asked, then what was the purpose of this new {$9.00} XXXX for assistance on loans for your home? I understand it is not a " Traditional '' mortgage, but it is secured by the house, and I get a mortgage interest statement at the end of the year, so why is that?? We would stand to lose our home, like anyone else that house a traditional mortgage, so why can't they help us? They repeated they could not do a 2nd forbearance and that we have to go into counseling ... .that isn't exactly going to help us make our mortgage payment. They were not willing, or couldn't, answer my direct questions about why is it considered " mortgage interest '', why it was ok the 1st time ... .but now it isn't? it is the same loan, same situation. They also said it is not Federally funded ( which is likely why they don't want to help ) ... .I asked, " Is it FDIC or XXXX Insured?? '' She couldn't answer that. 

So basically. We got nowhere. They aren't willing to help us with this new relief package, and I have to start a new career venture with all this undo stress, as other homeowners get the relief ... and we don't. Something seems very WRONG with this picture. What can you do to help us?!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation