Consumer complaint received 2026-01-08 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Banking errors
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a formal complaint against Huntington Bank regarding their handling of an SBA loan application and related business banking conduct that caused material and preventable harm to my business. 

I began the SBA loan process with Huntington Bank in XX/XX/year>. After providing extensive documentation and undergoing months of review, I received formal approval in XX/XX/year>XXXX  based on my personal financials and creditworthiness. 

Following approval, Huntington Bank required me to add my existing legal entity, XXXX XXXX, as a guarantor. This entitys financials reflect the same underlying income history already reviewed and approved at the personal level. Huntington was fully aware of this relationship and the overlap in financial data at the time the guarantor was added. 

After months of additional delays, staff turnover, missed meetings, and lack of communication, Huntington rescinded the already-approved loan. The reason provided was that my past tax returns showed a deficit once XXXX XXXX was added as a guarantor. 

This rationale is fundamentally flawed and demonstrates improper underwriting conduct. Huntington effectively : Approved the loan using my personal financials Required my legal entity as a guarantor Then used the same financial dataalready reviewed and acceptedto retroactively disqualify the loan, effectively double-counting the same income history There was no new adverse information, no material change in circumstances, and no newly disclosed financial risk. The denial was based on criteria Huntington had already reviewed, accepted, and approved prior to imposing the guarantor requirement. 

This constitutes moving the underwriting goalposts after approval, resulting in months of delay followed by a retroactive reversal that caused severe harm to my business. 

As a new business, timing was critical. Huntingtons actions directly : Prevented my planned business launch Caused loss of operational momentum Forced last-minute scrambling for alternative financing Resulted in financial and credit exposure that was entirely avoidable Additionally, during my initial interactions at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I was subjected to sexist and unprofessional remarks, including comments implying that women change their minds, suggesting a lack of seriousness or preparedness based on gender. While I attempted to continue the process through another branch, the same systemic failures persisted. 

When I ultimately closed my account due to these issues, Huntington made no attempt to retain me, investigate the situation, or acknowledge the damage caused, reinforcing a pattern of indifference and lack of accountability.

I am requesting a formal review of Huntington Banks SBA lending practices, underwriting conduct, and handling of guarantor requirements, as well as an investigation into whether their actions constitute deceptive, negligent, or unsafe banking practices that unfairly harm small business borrowers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation