Consumer complaint received 2025-05-02 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: BMO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Formal Complaint Unlawful Loan Denial, Harassment, Discrimination, and Interference with Commerce by [ XXXX  XXXX XXXX, BMO banking, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX  ] I am submitting this formal complaint on behalf of myself, XXXX XXXX XXXX and my business partner, XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( we are XXXX  ), regarding the egregious, unlawful, and discriminatory treatment we received at the hands of XXXX  XXXX XXXX, BMO banking, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ], its representatives, and its corporate office, during our attempts to secure no-documentation ( no-doc ) business loans and funding for our registered and legally compliant business entities. We requested XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, and we were denied violating our religious rights under the The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the revision in 1985 adding orientation because they allegedly did not know even though these banks are known to structure them. All no doc loan requires is the business to be legally established, a sound Business plan which all banks loved and were impressed but then refused to loan to us. We met all criteria. 

We requested for our start up loans that were designed for my specific businesses and business structures. We requested a CRA, which all banks said they provide but refused to provide it to us. We requested a copias of SBA loan design for our XXXX  and, nonprofit and other subordinate businesses and were refused everything despite meeting criteria. Constitution and operating agreements were refused. 

Despite meeting all eligibility requirements, including presenting our operating agreements, business plans, and all documents customarily requested for such loans ( many of which, by design, require minimal documentation ), we were : Refused service without valid cause Harassed, intimidated, and threatened with law enforcement Treated with open hostility and discrimination based on our appearance, XXXX, age, and perceived XXXX orientation Told explicitly that we would not be given loans because we know too much Denied acknowledgment of existing programs such as SBA-backed startup loans, which are public knowledge and offered by that same bank Subjected to false and malicious entries on XXXX, severely damaging our financial standing and reputation without cause or due process These actions are not only discriminatory and retaliatory, but also constitute multiple federal and state violations, including but not limited to : Laws Violated Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ) 15 U.S. Code 1691 et seq. 

Prohibits lenders from denying credit based on race, XXXX, age, marital status, national origin, or other protected classes. 

Requires a written explanation for all credit denials within 30 days. No such valid notice was provided. 

Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S. Code 1681 False reporting to consumer databases ( e.g., XXXX  ) constitutes a violation of this statute. 

Civil Rights Act Title VI Prohibits discrimination by any entity receiving federal financial assistanceincluding many national banks. 

Community Reinvestment Act ( CRA ) 12 U.S.C. 29012908 Requires banks to serve the credit needs of all communities, including faith-based nonprofits and religious institutions in low- and moderate-income areas. 

Denial of services to a religious organization serving the public can be considered non-compliance under CRA regulations. 

Community Reinvestment Act ( CRA ) 12 U.S.C. 2901 Encourages banks to serve the credit needs of all segments of their communities, including religious and nonprofit groups. 

Banks are graded and evaluated on their outreach and fairness toward underserved groupsincluding religious institutions. 

Bank Secrecy Act ( BSA ) & Anti-Money Laundering Laws While these laws require banks to vet clients, they can not use BSA/AML regulations to profile or deny religious organizations arbitrarily. 

FinCEN guidance affirms that churches and religious organizations must not be treated with extra scrutiny solely due to their religious nature unless there is specific cause. 

Federal Reserve Regulation B Implements ECOA and prohibits discrimination based on religion in any aspect of a credit transaction. 

Applies to business, nonprofit, and personal credit applications. 

First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Guarantees freedom of religion and protects religious organizations from discrimination and unequal treatment in accessing essential services, including banking. 

A bank that singles out a religious group or denies services based on religious expression, mission, or belief could be found in violation of constitutional protectionsespecially if they're a public institution or receive federal funds. 

efusing to open an account or provide a loan based on religious content or affiliation Requiring extra documentation not required of secular nonprofits Denying SBA or nonprofit loans without cause while approving similar secular organizations Delaying or obstructing service due to religious mission statements Civil Rights Act Title II & Title VI Title II ( 42 U.S.C. 2000a ) : Prevents discrimination in places of public accommodation, including banks, based on religion. 

Title VI ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d ) : Prevents institutions that receive federal funding ( such as most banks ) from discriminating on the basis of religio Fair Housing Act ( when applicable ) 42 U.S.C. 3601 While this law is about housing, it can apply to religious organizations denied financing for housing projects ( like shelters or transitional homes ) due to their religious affiliation.

Prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on religion, among other protected classes.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ) 15 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.

Protects religious organizations from being denied loans or credit based on religion, among other factors.

Lenders can not consider religious affiliation or purpose as a basis to deny or delay service. 

Applies to all creditors, including banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders. 

Requires a written explanation for any loan denial within 30 days. 

Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ) 15 U.S.C. 1691 Prohibits discrimination in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, XXXX, marital status, age, or public assistance status. 

Banks can not deny loans, lines of credit, or other financial services to a church or religious nonprofit solely due to its religious nature or beliefs. 

Applies to commercial credit, including loans to churches and faith-based nonprofits. 

Violation consequence : Civil liability for actual and punitive damages. 

Unlawful Interference with Commerce Refusal to provide equal access to business funding without legitimate cause interferes with our right to conduct lawful commercea protected activity under both state and federal law, including 18 U.S. Code 1951 ( Hobbs Act ) and basic contractual protections under UCC law. 



Summary of Violations Committed by [ XXXX  XXXX XXXX, BMO banking, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ] Denial of no-doc business loans based on prejudicial and retaliatory reasoning Harassment and threats of police involvement to intimidate lawful applicants Discriminatory behavior based on our XXXX orientation, gender, age, race, and appearance False representation of available SBA-backed and internal loan programs Delay tactics employed over a 30-day period, culminating in an arbitrary denial Tarnishing of our personal and business reputations through malicious and false XXXX  entries Retaliation and refusal to resolve or acknowledge complaints even after escalation to the corporate level Our Requested for Immediate Reliefs and Remedies Immediate removal and correction of all false reports and allegations submitted to XXXX  and any other reporting agency . 

Formal investigation and sanctions against XXXX  XXXX XXXX, BMO banking, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX  ] for civil rights and ECOA violations. 

Monetary compensation for financial harm, defamation, delayed business operations, and emotional distress suffered by both applicants, pursuant to statutory damages allowed under ECOA and FCRA. 

Public acknowledgment of wrongdoing and assurance of policy changes to prevent future occurrences. 

Honoring all loan request plus penalties for the intentional delay and time of delay commerce. We are calculating {>= $XXXX} in damages, finanical loss and unwarranted denied loans ( Under 15 U.S.C.1611we can not be denied bsiness credit while accessing a portion of consumer credit because consumer credit is predicated on unlimited credit ) per business we own including an not limited to our nonprofit, church and subordinate companies. We want penalties as well added to this per business. 



This misconduct has not only delayed the growth of our businesses but has directly interfered with our lawful right to access financial services, violating both our civil rights and economic freedoms. It is clear the denials were rooted not in financial metrics, but in discriminatory biases and a retaliatory response to our knowledge of banking laws and funding access. 

We request immediate review and escalation of this complaint. If not resolved promptly, we reserve all rights to pursue civil action and to submit this matter to federal authorities and media outlets for public accountability.

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