Consumer complaint received 2015-10-31
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE - FIRSTMERIT BANK, N.A. BRANCH
State: OK
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management

Complaint:
First Merit Bank and its employee XXXX XXXX XXXX committed fraud by lying to me on more than one occasion. On XXXX XXXX, 2015, in response to the Bank 's advertisement for free checking, I inquired in person at its XXXX XXXX, Ohio branch. The ad stated " no minimum balance '' and " no monthly maintenance fee ''. I asked about transfer of money and was told by XXXX that I could transfer the money anywhere without a fee. I and my husband, XXXX XXXX, spent considerable time asking questions, including " whether there were any hidden fees ''. XXXX repeatedly stated that the account was totally free. He also told me that I would be given a {$150.00} bonus if I set up direct deposit. Based on his extensive information and answers, I opened a checking account. The person who handled the opening, under the direction of XXXX, is identified on the receipt as " XXXX ''. I was given a receipt for the deposit, but NO schedule of fees, which I did not expect because XXXX told me that there were no fees. 
I then went through the timely effort of switching my direct deposit instructions with my employer. 
Shortly afterwards, when I tried to transfer money from this account, I learned that there would be a fee. I complained in person to XXXX. He then told me that only transfers to another account at First Merit Bank are free ( which he knew I did not have ) and that transfers to other institutions required payment of fees. I, with my husband present during this discussion, requested that my account be closed because he, XXXX, had given me wrong information at the time I opened the account. To cover his earlier lies, he said that there would be a fee if I closed the account within 90 days. I was never informed of this when I opened the account, being told that there were no fees whatsoever. He refused to give me the full balance in my account. 
So, based on his advice to " wait at least three months to get ALL of your money back '', I did not withdraw any money. XXXX, never told me that by waiting I would be charged an inactivity fee. Again, XXXX committed fraud by misleading me. 
Shortly afterwards because I could not transfer my money out to another institution without being charged a fee on the " free '' checking promised by XXXX, I went through additional effort to change my direct deposit of salary from First Merit Bank back to my previous bank. 
I was never credited {$150.00} for setting up direct deposit with First Merit Bank. 
Today, I went to the same branch to withdraw the balance of my money and close the not useful account. XXXX failed to give me the full amount I had deposited, but kept {$28.00} of my money. When I asked him why he had not given me the full amount of my deposit, he stated that there was an inactive account fee. I was never informed of this, either at the time of opening the account or when I complained about his lying about free transfers. 
When my husband complained to him about the lousy service and asked to have the branch manager informed, XXXX with a mean look on his face and a shouted voice, threatened to " escort ( him ) outside '', saying that he, XXXX, did not want any other customer to hear a complaint. 
First Merit Bank employee XXXX repeatedly misled me and lied to me. He did not once indicate that there were any fees, but repeatedly stated that there were none. XXXX should be fired for purposely deceiving a consumer and First Merit Bank should both be fined for its fraud upon the public and institute a mandatory retraining of all its employees regarding not lying to, but informing, potential and actual customers of fees. 
Furthermore, First Merit Bank should refund to me {$28.00} plus interest and pay me {$150.00} for setting up direct deposit based upon its fraud.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief