Consumer complaint received 2021-05-12
Company: SOUTHSTATE CORPORATION
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX XXXX RE : CENTER STATE BANK XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX INCIDENT DATE XX/XX/2021 AT XXXX XXXX. 

To Whom This May Concner : I am filing a racial discrimination complaint against Center State Bank. 


In summary, I arrived at the bank approximately XXXX Monday morning to complete a transaction at the drive through with a teller. Im accustomed to working with XXXX at that location. 

Since the location didnt open until XXXX XXXX, I parked my car near the drive through, near the ATM lane which was marked open. 

A gentleman Parked next to me and observed me for about 2 minutes. After which he got out of his car and approached my driver window. I looked at his shirt and noticed a uniform top from the bank. I then opened the window to greet him. 

The man immediately ordered me to leave the premises. Based on his harsh tone, and the fact he did not even say good morning, I believed there must have been an immediate danger present and he was urgently directing me and my minor child away from harm. I asked the man what was going on. He told me the bank was not yet opened therefore no cars can be parked on the premises. 

I then explained to the person ( later identified as bank manager XXXX XXXX ) that I am a customer. I assured him that I was simply waiting for the drive through to open, and even kindly apologized for being early. I even showed my bank card and ID. I further explained to Mr. XXXX that my minor child attends school online, therefore I wanted to ensure I was early enough to complete my business transaction and get him logged into school on time. I was confident that after I verified my self and introduced my child sitting on his computer in the car, that the bank manager would have improved his tone. Instead, Mr. XXXX ordered me off the premise. I realized that he had an angry disposition, which was uncalled for, so I immediately complied. 

I parked my car next door, in the XXXX gas station. When it was almost time for the bank to open, I proceeded to walk to the front door of the bank to ensure I would be first in line. I made sure I was in a conspicuous enough area where I could be seen by the workers and passersby. I didnt want to give even an inkling that I was at the location for any nefarious reasons. 

Mr. XXXX then got out of his car, parked near the front entrance of the bank, and started to shout something at me from the distance between he and me. I invited Mr. XXXX to approach me, as I am a customer, and I dont appreciate being shouted at from a distance. I gave Mr. XXXX the opportunity to approach me, with respect and in a manner consistent with the Banks code of proper conduct. 

He then asked me to remove myself from the premises as no customer was allowed on the premises before XXXX XXXX. I reminded Mr. XXXX that couldnt be accurate because the ATM lane, which is directly on the premises was open. Furthermore, if I chose, I could literally go to the ATM machine. I told him I complied with his demand to remove my vehicle because I did not want any trouble. I reiterated that Im waiting for services that will be open in less than 10 minutes. He then said thats why you XXXX always have police called on you. 

I was shocked at what I heard. Because of my disbelief, I had to ask my colleague who was listening on the phone, if I had heard what I thought I had heard. He confirmed the same. 

I asked the Mr. XXXX for his name. He answered XXXX. I asked for his last name, he stated he did not have one. I asked for a business card he said he did not have any in his vehicle. I told him to provide me one once he goes inside. I then removed myself from the premises as was demanded and went back to my vehicle. I was very distressed about what was said to me and the manner in which I was treated because I simply didnt deserve it. I have gone to this branch on numerous occasions and I have always been respectful of staff and other patrons. I could not belief that I was being called a XXXX. 


When the XXXX hour had approached or close to being that time, I again approached the front door. I believed Mr. XXXX was going to produce the business card I requested. Instead of doing so he called men with XXXX  on me and my child. 

This was traumatic to me and devastating to my child. My child started to cry. He immediately went into anxiety once he saw the police with his XXXX. 

The question is, since it was XXXX by this time and since the bank was open via drive through, and since MrXXXX XXXX knew my purpose there was to conduct business, why call the police? Why not direct me to the drive though where he could provide me the card and complete my transaction. At that point, a reasonable manager would have come to the door, apologized for the prior inconvenience, and invite me to the drive through since it was now open. He did NOT do so because he knew what he had said and done to me. So, to obfuscate the issue, he used his privilege as a white man and weaponized the police against me and my child. This was done to cover up his bigotry. This is abuse of the police system. It is also XXXX XXXX 

Based on his actions and inactions, MrXXXX XXXX felt because he was dealing with a XXXX woman and her XXXX child it was appropriate for him to treat us like common animals. A customer service agent was on the phone with me the entire time and the entire episode is recorded on your system ( beginning at XXXX XXXX ) and mine. 

Upon leaving the branch I contacted customer service again at XXXX XXXX. I impressed on that agent that I needed to complete my transaction because I have a XXXX deal that I will lose if I do not. I asked the agent to contact the branch to ensure that I could go to the branch without incident. The agent informed me that she had spoken to XXXX and I am essentially banned ( trespassed ) from that location. As for my business of {$15000.00}, too bad for that deal. 

I drove over an hour to the XXXX XXXX branch in an attempt to save the deal. Unfortunately, it was too late by then. Center State Bank owes me {$15000.00} at a minimum. I also request compensation for the evil that was done to us.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation