Consumer complaint received 2024-10-12 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: KY

Complaint narrative:
Since my admittance into the XXXX in XXXX, I have struggled with my online identity up until XXXX, where I can now open accounts online with ease. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I attempted opening an account online ( Advantage Savings ) for the first time. The application was declined instantly and I received the decline email where I came across XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for the first time ever along with their contact details. I didnt think much of it and kept on applying with a banks hoping one could provide me with an account to transact in the XXXX with zero knowledge that with every application had an impact on my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX along with another XXXX XXXX XXXX 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I applied again this time for checking account and still got declined. The reason in the emails got to do with the number of inquiries in the last 30 days and number of different bank inquiries during the last 2 years. 

I reached out to both XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX to understand why my applications were being denied since it appeared almost all the banks were pulling my report from them. I was asked to mail copies of my IDs, Tax ID, utility bills and credit card statement. It took almost 2 months but I was finally able to verify my identity and I was provided my consumer report from both reporting agencies and boy have I been on an application spree. 

Early 2024, after seeking professional credit/consumer advise to work on my reports, I was able to open my first saving accounts with XXXX XXXX XXXX after XXXX manual verification process then later a checking account. Then XXXX XXXX High Yield Savings account at a XXXX  XXXX XXXX since I still have an ITIN then BMO both Checking and Savings account and later added business checking accounts with XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX  and XXXX. From there it was easy since my consumer report was looking better and these banks had to verify my identity in person except XXXX XXXX XXXX who still doesnt have a physical location to the best of my know. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I applied for a checking account ( XXXX ) with Bank of America again and still had an instant decline. This time in addition to the number inquiries was a new reason for the decline stating the status of the relationship with the inquiring bank as compared to the age of the established relationship with any bank ( attached ). 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I applied again got declined for number of accounts in a high risk status ( attached ). 

Up until yesterday XX/XX/XXXX, when I applied again. This time around the application was not declined at same time its not approved, kind of a grey area there. I was asked to sign into the Bank of Americas mobile app to continue the application. It let me sign up for an online banking ID which was a good sign, up until I signed in on the mobile app and was asked to provide 2 forms of ID and then still visit a branch. The first list only had IDs issued by the United States, and I was hoping to see government issued passport since thats my primary form of ID along with my gas and electric bills, but nope. The second list was flexible because I had almost every document in that list. Hence, I selected debit card and used my XXXX XXXX debit card ( attached ). 

Today XX/XX/XXXX, I decided to call Bank of Americas new accounts phone line and was able to speak to someone from applications. He was nice enough to look up the application even though its a Saturday and decided to assist with a new application to save me the trouble of commuting all the way to XXXXXXXX XXXX about XXXX away from my location to the closest Bank of America XXXX and at the risk of another inquiry on my consumer report. But unfortunately, he ended up stating the same thing that I would have to visit a branch. I would be more than happy to visit a branch if it was close by to submit my IDs in person however XXXX is a bit much. 

I believe the system now thinks that Im a good fit but still with some doubts, I guess. I would like to start my banking relationship with Bank of America in addition to changing ownership of my business account ( XXXX XXXX XXXX account ending XXXX ) with Bank of America. I had to forcefully amend my XXXX XXXX just have an appointee to setup my business checking account with Bank of America back in XX/XX/XXXX when no bank would work with me. 

And since I cant make decisions or apply for anything using my own credit report on my own business account, Im stuck paying monthly fees and hardly use that account however I did call in on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX to dispute a fraudulent charge in the amount of {$100.00} and had a new debit card expedited to me.

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