Consumer complaint received 2016-08-05
Company: M&T BANK CORPORATION
State: NY
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management

Complaint:
This is a formal complaint against and request for investigation into M & T Bank and its employee XXXX XXXX, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager located at Route XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX New Jersey XXXX Telephone number ( XXXX ) XXXX, email address XXXXXXXXXXXX. Two weeks ago I entered the above referenced M & T Bank branch with my mother, who I am visiting with/staying with for the summer, in order to open up a brand new business account for my XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The first individual who we consulted with was a young man who confessed that he had no idea how to open up a business account, and could not explain the different types of business bank accounts they offered, so he made a phonecall and stated that their " resident business banking expert '' who was apparently " out to lunch '' would assist me as she was apparently " more knowledgeable '' and could answer any and all of my questions. When this woman XXXX XXXX finally made her entrance, she proceeded to wave us over to her desk, where she proceed to, in a very aggressive fashion, grab towards the envelopes sitting on the desk near me, containing my entire savings, {$9200.00} in cash, while I mildly protested, stating that I had many questions before we proceeded any further in opening up a business bank account. We briefly discussed the different choices of bank accounts for business, and settled on a certain type of bank account. While entering all of our data, and collecting all of my documents including incorporation documents, my drivers license, XXXX, tax return documents, and other papers I had come prepared with, she kept making typographical and data entry mistakes, and eventually had to call over her " assistant '' to help her with the creation of my account. She kept stating over and over that this " was only her second business account '' that she had ever done, apologizing profusely, leaving both me and my mother extremely uneasy and nervous, and we constantly looked over at each other because this was kind of like watching brain surgery with a doctor who was reading an instruction manual. After nearly 2 hours of watching this incompetent woman and her assistant constantly fumble, correct, re-enter, and edit our data and information, she finally produced our welcome packet, replete with 2 blank checks. She had also ordered my business law firm checks and we picked out the type of checks, and also the ATM debit bank card as well. When I asked her for a temporary debit card so that I could pay my bills, she stated I would receive it within 3 business days at my law office location. I stated to her that this was strange but accepted, since all major XXXX banks that I am accustomed to will print out and provide a temporary ATM Card at account creation, but I let this issue go, as 3 days would not be fatal to paying my bills. She then again GRABBED my cash on the desk and gave me a a receipt for {$9200.00}. The next business day, on a Monday, I received a cryptic call from XXXX XXXX telling me that I would not receive a debit ATM Card, or my ordered ( and paid for checks ) because she made a mistake and the bank would require an " office visit '' before they could do so. I politely protested, and asked her why she did not tell me any of this before she opened my account, and aggressively took my money. She indicated in a very XXXX, XXXX, unfeeling, and discompassionate manner, that she was " sorry '' but really could not care less about the predicament that she placed me in. I could have opened up another bank account at a different bank with someone who actually knew what they were doing, and could answer my questions, but XXXX XXXX deprived me of this freedom of choice by her aggressive money grabbing behavior and mentality, and deceptive behavior, when I had opened up the account. See attached.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation