Consumer complaint received 2025-01-14 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Regarding Discriminatory Practices in Account Opening Process and Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 552 ( a ) ( 1 ) Wells Fargo Complaint ID : XXXX / XXXX I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding discriminatory practices I encountered while attempting to open a bank account at Wells Fargo located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX. My experience suggests violations of regulations enforced by both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ), particularly those prohibiting discrimination in the provision of banking services. Facts of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, I visited Wells Fargo with the intention of opening a checking account. During the application process Wells Fargo Collected XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX declaration and Notarized Signature page along with Certification of Trust with Signature page with Acceptance of Trustee XXXX and IRS EIN number to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I was then informed by XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank at XXXX, that I need to provide my Social Security number, if not she would be unable to open an account due to XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX not providing Social Security number at her request. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX replied I did, however, provide the necessary notarized documents required for account opening, which included the following : XXXX XXXX, Declaration of XXXX, Acceptance of Trustee, Acceptance of Successor, Certification of XXXX and signature page, all of which were notarized at XXXX XXXX the morning of XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. 
It was mention that The reason XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX was unable to provide full access to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Social Security number was based on Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 552 ] ( a ) ( 1 ). Trustee Representative Stated to XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank at XXXX, I conditionally Except Wells Fargo and XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank at XXXX claim of providing Trustee Social Security Number upon proof of offer. Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 552 ] ( a ) ( 1 ). states that XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX not be denied a right or Privilege for Failure to disclose social security number. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX elected to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the trust 's sensitive information, which is protected under specific legal and fiduciary guidelines. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX emphasized XXXX both XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank at XXXX and XXXX XXXX ASSOCIATE BRANCH XXXX, that the privacy of the trust was a matter of utmost importance and that I could not disclose certain details. Despite providing the aforementioned notarized documentation, I was informed by the bank XXXX, XXXX XXXX, that I would not be allowed to open the account. The bank XXXX stated, okay well, at this time I refuse to open the trust account. '' I believe this refusal may have been influenced by discriminatory factors in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), and Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 552 ] ( a ) ( 1 ). which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and other protected characteristics. As a Natural Living live Person with a private trust, I suspect that these discriminatory factors may have contributed to the bank 's refusal to open the account. During the interaction, I felt that I was being treated in a manner that suggested I was committing a criminal act, all the while Wells Fargo National Association was violating my rights. 
Upon XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank at XXXX refusing to open XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account without XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX social Security Number representative, abruptly got up from her desk, walked out of the office, and left me alone in the office for approximately 5 minutes.

When she returned with the bank manager, XXXX XXXX ASSOCIATE BRANCH XXXX, I was told that my application could not proceed ( a profile was taken by Wells Fargo representatives for the creation of the XXXX ). Despite XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX meeting qualifications and ability to meet the necessary criteria to open XXXX Account at Wells Fargo National Association, I believe I was unjustly denied services that were made available to other applicants in similar situations. Alleged Violations of OCC and FDIC Regulations The conduct I encountered appears to be in violation of both OCC and FDIC regulations concerning non-discriminatory practices in the opening of accounts. Specifically, I believe the bank has violated : 12 CFR 202.4 Prohibited Discriminatory Practices and the Privacy Act of 1974. Under ECOA The Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ) prohibits discrimination in any aspect of a credit transaction based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or the fact that all or part of an applicants income derives from public assistance. Under this statute, the denial of an account based on discriminatory reasons is unlawful. Also Under Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 552a ] ( a ) ( 1 ) it shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government Agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individuals refusal to disclose his/her social security Number. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : The court found that bank practices that disproportionately affect a protected class without sufficient justification are subject to strict scrutiny under ECOA. 12 U.S.C. 2901-2908 FDICs Fair Lending Regulations The FDIC enforces compliance with fair lending laws, including ECOA, to ensure that all consumers have equal access to financial services. The FDIC requires financial institutions to assess applicants for account openings in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. Case Law Reference : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : The court ruled that a banks refusal to provide services to an applicant based on discriminatory factors violated federal fair lending regulations and principles under the FDIC XXXX Impact on as XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX an Applicant XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX result of this discriminatory practice, I have been denied the basic financial services that I am legally entitled to, which has caused me significant inconvenience, embarrassment, and financial harm. Furthermore, the refusal of service has impacted my ability to access crucial banking resources such as direct deposit, bill payment services, and credit-building opportunities. On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, I visited a Wells Fargo branch located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX Upon my arrival, I was assisted by a bank representative, XXXX XXXX Associate Personal Banker, who was responsible for processing my request. During this visit, both XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX denied XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX rights of opening a XXXX account under the name XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX without any issues or delays, ensuring that the account was not opened, seamlessly did so and in accordance of violating all required procedures under ECOA. 12 U.S.C. 2901-2908 FDICs Fair Lending Regulations The FDIC enforces compliance with fair lending laws, Privacy Act of 1974 Sec. 7 [ 5 U.S.C 559 ( a ) ( 1 ). And Consumer Protection Regulation.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation