Consumer complaint received 2015-08-07
Company: Earnest Inc.
State: CA
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Non-federal student loan
Issue: Getting a loan
Sub-issue: Can't qualify for a loan

Complaint:
Dear Madame/Sir : I am writing to you in regards to a recent student loan refinance application I submitted to Earnest Operations, LLC, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA. XXXX NMLS # XXXX, operating at the following internet address : www.XXXX.com. 

I submitted an application on their website on XXXX XXXX, 2015, and uploaded all required information and additional documents to refinance the current balance of my student loans ( $ XXXX ) and lower my current interest rate from 7 % to what XXXX is currently offering ( 1.90 % ) for a variable rate. 

I received an email from " XXXX '' who advised me to explain why I had taken out a $ XXXX loan with XXXX XXXX in XXXX 2015. I responded that I was considering investing in rental property, but had recently changed my mind and decided to focus on paying off my student loan before investing. XXXX XXXX, 2015, I provided proof by uploading a copy of the statement showing that this loan was paid in full. 

On XXXX XXXX, 2015, I woke up to an email stating that I my loan request was denied, and the reason was due to " high debt to income ratio, '' which is inaccurate. I believe I am more than qualified. 

Other than my mortgage payment of {$1500.00} per month and the student loan, I do not have any debt. I pay off all credit cards in full each month. I make $ XXXX annually and have been employed with the City of XXXX XXXX for XXXX years. I am a career employee with stable income, I have an excellent credit history with high credit scores, averaging in the XXXX 's, and I have substantial savings and investments. 

Earnest ' reason for the denial of my application is unsubstantiated. The matter I would like for you to investigate is that during the application process I was required to upload a copy of my California Driver 's License. I am a XXXX male, and all things being equal, I do not believe my " white '' counterpart would have been denied. This was the first time I had to show identification for credit over the internet. Therefore, I humbly request you to investigate this matter and determine if Earnest Operations, LLC, is violating the Federal Equal Opportunity Act. 

On XXXX XXXX, 2015, I called and spoke to " XXXX '' a customer service representative. He advised me ( without retrieving my application information ) that there is no reconsideration. The decision made is final unless something has changed, and that there is no one else I could speak with. He was very casual and unprofessional. He advised that they do not have the " bandwith '' to allow me to discuss their conclusions that I have " high debt to income ''. The telephone call had a very weird feeling to it. His attitude was the decision is what it is and that 's final. He was very unprofessional and uncourteous. 



In conclusion, I have recently taken a closer look at their website and all of the photos are of XXXX people, mostly listed as attending XXXX XXXX type colleges. 

I believe that I have been the victim of XXXX. Please investigate this company.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief