Consumer complaint received 2025-08-27 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: VT

Complaint narrative:
Bank Involved : Bank of America Product/Service : Checking account Mobile Check Deposit Issue : Unjustified check hold, misleading information about funds availability Complaint Narrative : On Sunday, XX/XX/XXXX, I deposited a check for {$4800.00} using Bank of Americas mobile deposit feature.

When I first opened my account, Bank of America placed a long hold on a check from this same vendor. I was told this was because the vendor was new to both the bank and my account, but that future deposits would clear more quickly. I have now deposited over eight checks from this same vendor over the last two years. Despite being told the process would improve, every deposit has faced an extended hold, unlike my experiences with other banks, which never held checks from this vendor for more than 12 days.

For this most recent deposit : 1. During the mobile deposit, the app stated I would receive {$200.00} on XX/XX/XXXX and the remaining {$4600.00} on XX/XX/XXXX. I accepted those terms and confirmed the deposit. 
2. Shortly after, I received an email stating all {$4800.00} would not be available until XXXX. 
3. Checking my app again, it showed the hold until XX/XX/XXXX, with availability on XX/XX/XXXX. 
4. When I called Bank of America, an agent told me the entire {$4800.00} would be available on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX. 
5. When the funds did not arrive, I called again and was told by another agent that the funds would be available XX/XX/XXXX. 
6. Finally, after speaking with a supervisor, I was told the official date would be XXXX. 

In total, I received five different answers about when my money would be available : XX/XX/XXXX {$200.00}, XX/XX/XXXX {$4600.00} ( mobile app at time of deposit ) XXXX {$4800.00} ( email confirmation ) XX/XX/XXXX {$4800.00} ( mobile app after email ) XX/XX/XXXX {$4800.00} ( agent ) XX/XX/XXXX {$4800.00} ( agent ) The supervisor ultimately said the date is XXXX and even suggested I take the check to a check-cashing company or another bank. He said if another bank cashed it, Bank of America would cancel their deposit. This is inappropriate advice, would likely create duplicate-processing problems, and undermines trust in my bank. 

My concerns are : Bank of America advertised one set of release dates in the mobile app at the time of deposit ( which I agreed to ) but changed them afterward. 
Customers are given inconsistent and misleading information, with no accountability because earlier dates disappear from the app once updated. 
Holds are still being applied to a vendor whose checks have never bounced with me in 8 years and after at least 8 prior deposits with Bank of America.

Bank of America claims this vendor is unknown, but other banks never imposed extended holds.

Suggesting customers resolve the issue by using other financial institutions is unprofessional and unfair.

This is a misrepresentation of funds availability and an unethical business practice. Customers should not be told one date when depositing, only to have it changed multiple times without transparency.

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