Consumer complaint received 2026-01-30 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Can't close your account
Company: Comerica
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding Comerica Banks repeated failure to properly close my small business checking account, resulting in improper fees, negative balances, and an unjustified collections action. 

Account Background I opened a small business banking account with Comerica Bank approximately two years ago. Throughout the time I maintained the account, the bank was consistently unresponsive, charged unusually high fees, and lacked basic banking functionality, including the inability to initiate wire transfers through the mobile application. 

First Closure Request Approximately six months ago, I contacted the Comerica banking manager at the XXXX XXXX branch and formally requested that my business account be closed. The manager confirmed verbally that the request would be processed and that the account would be closed.

Several months later, I unexpectedly received a mailed notice indicating the account had a negative balance totaling several XXXX dollars. The balance was allegedly caused by an automated recurring XXXX withdrawal that had been processed. 

This was extremely concerning, as the account was supposed to have already been closed. 

Upon contacting Comerica, I was informed that the account had not actually been closed because the XXXX withdrawal request still existed. Instead of rejecting the transaction or permanently closing the account, Comerica allowed the transaction to process, reopened the account internally, and assessed multiple overdraft and penalty fees. 

At no point was I notified by phone, email, or text message that the account had been reopened or that fees were accruing. I did not become aware of the issue until receiving the mailed notice one to two months later.

Second Closure Request After discovering the issue, I contacted Comerica again, deposited sufficient funds to bring the account balance to XXXX, and once more requested that the account be closed. This occurred in approximately XXXX. The banking manager again confirmed that the account was closed. 

Third Reopening and Collections Notice Several months later, I received another notice stating that the account which had now been closed twice had once again been reopened. The notice indicated a negative balance of approximately {$600.00}, consisting largely of overdraft fees and penalties ( approximately {$500.00} or more ), and stated that the account was being sent to collections. 

When I contacted Comerica, I was told that there was nothing the bank could do, despite my willingness to immediately pay the balance excluding the improper penalty fees. 

When I asked why the account could not be permanently closed during the first two closure requests, but was somehow able to be closed the third time while cutting off automated payments, I was told that the bank had now force closed the account.

It remains unclear why Comerica was unable or unwilling to take this same action during the prior two closure requests, which would have entirely prevented this situation.

Summary of Issues Comerica failed to close my account after multiple confirmed closure requests The bank reopened the account without my consent Automated payments were allowed to process despite closure requests XXXX  of dollars in overdraft and penalty fees were assessed improperly I received no timely notification of reopened accounts or accruing fees The account was sent to collections despite my attempts to resolve the matter in good faith Requested Resolution I am requesting the following : Removal of all overdraft fees, penalties, and associated charges resulting from Comericas failure to close the account as requested Adjustment of the account balance to reflect only legitimate transactions, excluding penalty fees Confirmation that the account is permanently closed and can not be reopened under any circumstances Withdrawal of any collections activity and correction of any negative credit reporting associated with this matter I made repeated, good-faith efforts to close this account and resolve any balances. The ongoing fees and collections action are the direct result of Comerica Banks operational failures, not any negligence or wrongdoing on my part. 

Thank you for your assistance in reviewing this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief