Consumer complaint received 2025-04-04 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
1. On XX/XX/XXXX, I deposited ( 2 ) XXXX checks totaling {$13000.00} into my account. I was informed that because they were over {$5000.00} each that a HOLD would be placed on the funds til XX/XX/XXXX. I wasn't exactly happy about that but understood that to be XXXX XXXX policy. 
2. This is my PROBLEM... On XX/XX/XXXX, Fifth Third Bank 's " Back Office '' collected from my account the XXXX XXXX and their handling fees totaling {$4400.00} ( {$2400.00} and XXXX ). Which would leave the US value of the original checks to total approx. {$8900.00}. ( after the fees had been taken ) But they did not correct the balance of the amount on HOLD to what would be the post exchange/fees value. They left the money on hold at {$13000.00} ( should be {$8900.00} ). Instead, they emptied the available portion of my bank account of {$4400.00} leaving me with over {$500.00} negative balance. Which resulted in a check I wrote to a client to not clear. Causing me anguish and embarrassment to have to call my client and bring them cash that morning! 
3. They are now holding hostage {$4400.00} of my money til the XXXX of XXXX. They have already assessed and took the fees from my other personal funds. The only thing that should be on HOLD and the only thing liable should the checks not clear ( which by now I am sure they have cleared ) is {$8900.00} US not {$13000.00} US!

4. This is clearly an anomaly in their process. On the morning of XX/XX/XXXX, I went directly to the local bank ( XXXX XXXX, MI ) where I had deposited the checks and asked that something be done. The manager was not present, and I was given XXXX XXXX the banker ) to assist me. She said she'd have to contact the " back office ''. I have yet to hear from her as of today XX/XX/XXXX. So, I went to the branch where my account is actually held in XXXX, MI. Again, was given the banker available named XXXX. She immediately sat me down in her office and tried to help fix our problem. She, unlike XXXX, was more helpful and even brought into the office a teller ( didn't catch her name ) who has 30 years ' experience ( and experience with XXXX checks ). Both women agreed this was messed up and makes no sense and commented that they had never seen this before. They contacted the " back office '' and reviewed the issue. All the back office would say is " this is policy and procedure ''. They suggested I call the customer service number because they couldn't do anything more. Which I did and eventually spoke to a supervisor who gave me a corporate number for me to call ( which I called, and an automated voice tells you no one is available call back later ) and two emails that I sent a similar letter too, but one email was for garnishment and the other for subpoenas. I'm sure I will hear nothing back. I also spoke with the " XXXX '' supervisor on XXXX website. And he directed me back to the same XXXX number that can't do anything. 
5. I am approximately 5 days going trying to resolve this. It is clear to everyone who has viewed this problem that clearly the only thing on hold till XX/XX/XXXX should be {$8900.00}. That is all that is at risk. That is the American dollar value of {$13000.00} ( minus the fees )... Thankfully my IRS refund was deposited on XX/XX/XXXX which has prevented this from being a worse situation. 
6. I am asking that this be resolved immediately. Restoring the {$4400.00} to my account balance. They can continue to hold the {$8900.00} I can live with that. But if those checks have cleared you ought to release them to me sooner than the XXXX. That is the least you could do. Because of this mess I am foregoing travel to Virginia to see my grandchildren that was intended for XX/XX/XXXX. This has been extremely stressful to me and just unbelievable that this has taken this long and there is no concern to make things right with an over 30-year customer of Fifth Third.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation