Consumer complaint received 2022-08-02
Company: SOUTHSTATE CORPORATION
State: SC
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Unable to open an account

Complaint:
Official Complain Form : Incident Address : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX SC, XXXX Incident Date : XX/XX/XXXX Complaint Against : Financial Banker Representative : XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX It was a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you for agreeing to file a complaint on my behalf. 

I regret to inform that I have been subjected to discrimination and unethical treatment at SouthState Bank this afternoon. I came in today to open a XXXX XXXX Account for my business. Prior to my visit I went on the company website to see what items are required for an XXXX XXXX and unfortunately found that, that information is not provided. When I walked in, I wasn't immediately introduced. With only one customer at the teller and no customers with the two available idle bankers, I asked one of the available two bankers could I be assisted. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, with whom did not come out of his cubical to greet me said that I could come in his office. I sat down and informed him that I would like to open a Business Checking Account. I volunteered to supply him with my XXXX along with Articles of XXXX documents. Upon his receipt of both the forms he said that he didn't care about the XXXX and then began to ask me was I the owner of the company in which I informed him that I was and showed him my Driver 's License so he could see that my name matched with documents. He then frowned and said that he believed that the Article of Organization document should have more pages and began to dismiss the form until I told him my business could be verified on South Carolina XXXX of XXXX website. I then explained to him that I went onto the banks website to see the requirements for opening a business account in which he immediately cut me off and said, " That information isn't listed neither on the website or branch, if you don't want to continue on, I understand. '' I explained that I am still looking to open the account and asked for him to kindly provide me all the required items needed in which he refused. Rather he explained that he would tell me as I go. Shortly after, VP XXXX XXXX called him into his office, and he was gone for some time. When he returned, he asked again " do you still want to complete the process and I replied with the same response " Yes. '' In the meantime, a XXXX  woman came into the bank and was immediately greeted by XXXX XXXX XXXX. He then told the woman, " I don't get involved in he say she say drama. '' The woman requested an exception, she request that he provide her with a copy of someone else 's debit card. VP XXXX XXXX explained that this exception goes against the companys policy and procedures and said to her " I can lose my job, but I will do it anyways, this stays between you and I, ok? '' and the woman replied " OK ''. In less than no time the woman was serviced, and they exchanged in small talk about her baby and the reason why she needed the account holders debit card and she left in under 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, after 30 minutes Financial Banker Rep XXXX XXXX assumed that I would be better suited for an account that required the least deposits XXXX to {$1000.00} opting out of asking me how much I would be depositing and assuming that I would deposit the least amount. I immediately corrected him telling him that my deposit amounts would be greater than {$1000.00}. Only after I corrected him, he agreed to modify and increase the deposit amount. 
Financial Banker Rep XXXX XXXX then explained that he could not move forward because my GA XXXX 's License didn't match my mailing address. I explained that I reside in GA and my business is in South Carolina and the mailing address provided is identical to the address that's both on my IRS and SC XXXX of the State documents. Now XXXX minutes later, he then says that I need to show proof that proves I receive mail to my mailing address which I immediately told him that I have unopened mail from my other bank. He explained that I could use and I went to my vehicle and grabbed the unopened bank mail and re-confirmed again with the banker was that sufficient. He acknowledges the address matches and then surprisingly and without asking permission he opens the mail. In complete shock I immediately stop him and inform him that he doesn't have my permission to open my mail and in a rude tone he sharply replied that he needed to read the bank letter after acknowledging that the address matches. 
I said to him why are you requesting to read my mail thats not what you originally requested Ive already furnished proof and several supporting documents to confirm my mailing address. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX then replied sharply, do you want this account or not?! I then asked what else can I supply you with? In defeat, I began proactively searching in my phone for an additional supporting document. I also suggested that he could remove my mailing address all together and just use my primary address in which he declined. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX came over and rudely explained that " a customer like you is in the XXXX percentile of an ideal customer at XXXX Bank! in which he then followed by saying in an aggressive sharp loud tone " You are just NOT a good fit for this bank! Try XXXX XXXX or XXXX! '' I questioned as to why he was discriminating me as a potential customer, and I said that I believed my race was the reason ( I am a XXXX woman ) as I had just witnessed him providing an exception to a ( white woman ) that under his own admission he wasnt allowed to do as it went against the banks policy and procedures. I explained that I have been given push back from the moment I walked in. I provided everything that I was asked to provide, and he didn't respond. I then asked for his direct reporting Managers information, and he replied, " Youre not getting it call customer service! '' in which he immediately dismissed me and walked away. 
I am requesting follow up on this overall negative disturbing experience. I do believe my race was the reason I was denied an account with XXXX Bank. The entire bank could hear XXXX XXXX XXXX say these things to me that were both degrading and unethical. I believe that equality and fairness should be in the forefront in any financial institution, these types of behaviors should not be allowed or tolerated. I am also looking to pursue other recourses legally as both bankers XXXX XXXX XXXX along with Financial Banker Rep XXXX XXXX statements and actions doesnt comply or align with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Title XXXX of the Civil Rights Act of XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation