Consumer complaint received 2022-12-22
Company: REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem accessing account

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2022, I felt as if I had no choice but to close my personal account as well as my business account ; due to the negligence and lack of experience of the bankers/notaries at this specific Regions location ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I have been serviced in multiple Regions Banks, throughout the course of XXXX years, but I have never received such unsatisfactory treatment as I did on that day. I still feel as emotionally distressed as I did when it occurred. I only went into Regions to simply get a document notarized, but I had no idea that it would become the most stressful situation I have ever encountered within a branch. Based on what I experienced, I felt as if my level of intelligence was judged, and I was led to believe that I was being delayed of service without any reasoning due to their reckless disregard of my truth. A notary 's prime obligation is to witness that the signee of the presented document is in fact the person that they claim to be by verifying their identity. As the signee, it is my responsibility to swear, in front of this witness/notary, that everything I'd indicate as applying to myself on the document is true. The notaries at this branch were under the misimpression that they would somehow be held accountable for what I chose to attest, and that the " policy '' that they refused to show me was hindering their capability of assisting me with their free notary service. Evidently their lack of experience and pride would not allow them to take into consideration any of the knowledge I was presenting. At one point I even questioned if I was being discriminated on because of my race or gender. I continued to watch the first banker individually help XXXX women and then redirect the servicing of another male towards the direction of the other bankers. It was so embarrassing for me to have to sit there and watch the first banker resolve only the needs of women all while ignoring the fact that I was patiently waiting for as long as I did. I was told by a second banker that the first banker was only ignoring me because I had insisted that I did not want his help and at that point I just became flabbergasted. I really couldn't believe that such a professional could just blatantly ascribe a sentiment that wasn't mine. I was also told that I should just take my business elsewhere by just going to XXXX and paying for a notary. I spoke to XXXX different bankers, and they all seemed to have the same agenda as far as with trying to provoke me, kick me out, make me feel ignorant, or further delaying my needs. I became overly stressed, thus forfeiting my request for their service altogether. I was so frustrated that I had them close my accounts, drove to their competitor XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), and opened a new checking account. They not only provided me with exceptional customer service ; they also notarized my document without any confusion or hesitation as to what they could or couldn't do and didn't appear to perceive me in any means as a threat. I was so relieved that I decided to go back into Regions and showcase the progress that was achievable by their competitor, but I quickly became drained when the third banker/notary insisted that their competitor just goes by " a different policy. '' The staff at Regions had no remorse for the substantial amount of stress they put me through. Shortly after I left, I called the phone number to their corporate office. I got a temporary sense of relief as the operator noted the incident and empathized with me, but despite feeling like I was understood by the operator, my level of anxiety and self-confidence has become irregular. I'm having trouble sleeping and lately have been feeling like I need to take XXXX to XXXX showers in XXXX day just to feel good about myself again. This was an extremely unsettling experience and I just feel so humiliated about this whole situation.

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