Consumer complaint received 2016-08-18
Company: SUNTRUST BANKS, INC.
State: VA
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management

Complaint:
I have had business checking accounts with SunTrust Bank for several years. Out of the blue, I received an unsigned letter demanding that I close all accounts. No reasons were stated. 
I called the bank at the given number. No explanation was forthcoming. The staff member was most unhelpful and had an attitude. 

I have written to Sun Trust : please see below : XXXX XXXX XXXX 2016 XXXX XXXX XXXX SunTrust Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX GAXXXX I refer to your unsigned, presumably machine generated, letter of XXXX XXXX, 2016. For ease of reference, I attach a copy. It is also noteworthy that the letter does not cite the particular account ( s ) that is the subject of the demanded actions. By any account, the letter is a shoddy attempt to communicate with a client in good standing. All in all, your actions are reprehensible and unbecoming of a financial institution. Apart from the demands being made, I am surprised that in a matter as important as this, the letter was unsigned. This by any account is unbusiness-like, discourteous and unethical. 
I am totally at a loss as to the reasons for the action you are taking in demanding that I close my accounts with your Bank. I am doubly disgusted by the fact that an attempt to obtain a clarification proved to be an exercise in futility and left me totally frustrated. The actions taken and the attitude displayed are unbecoming of a banking institution that has pretensions of claiming to be customer friendly. 
For the record, I would like to point out that over the several years during which I have banked with SunTrust, I have managed my accounts in a highly responsible manner. In the course of recent transactions involving foreign receipts and payments, I was meticulously careful to provide full documentation ( contracts, agreements, invoices, and relevant correspondence ) pertaining to the transactions. I am cognizant of the fact that Government regulatory agencies have heightened the bar concerning foreign transactions. Hence, I was completely transparent but it would appear my efforts were in vain. 
Had your XXXX XXXX been remotely competent, a call to your Branch would have confirmed the nature of the documentation that had been provided. Your Team could have also reached out to me if further supporting documentation was needed. You would have easily established that the XXXX XXXX XXXX is an international consultancy that counts among its many international clients such entities as the XXXX, XXXX, the XXXX of XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX etc. 
I am taking the necessary steps to close my accounts with SunTrust. I have no desire to be engaged in any further business transactions with an entity such as yours given the despicable way in which your unit has acted and the rude and offensive tone you have chosen to adopt. Indeed, I am taking steps to advise all associates and colleagues of my experience and urged them to avoid banking with SunTrust. 
I am also notifying the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with a request that the Bureau investigates your actions and, if appropriate, impose sanctions. Please be also advised that I reserve all my legal rights. 



XXXX Chief Executive Officer cc Branch Manager SunTrust Bank XXXX 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