Consumer complaint received 2025-09-22 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Funds not received from closed account
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXXComplaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)XXXXXXXXFromXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXAgainst:XXXXCitiBank\XXXXSubject of Complaint:XXXXUnlawful blocking and closure of a business account, unlawful demands by CitiBank, and withholding of client funds without return to the rightful ownerXXXXCase Summary:XXXXBusiness OwnershipXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is a Florida-registered companyXXXXI, XXXX XXXX, am the sole owner and managerXXXXThe previous owner has no relation to the company after re-registration in XXXX XXXXXXXXFlorida Division of Corporations records confirm my ownership.XXXX Account Ownership:XXXXOn XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  issued an official letter confirming that I am the sole owner of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account.XXXXThis directly disproves CitiBanks claims that transactions originated under the name of the former owner.XXXXFunds Deposited:XXXXIn XXXX XXXX, I and my spouse, XXXX XXXX, transferred a total of $XXXX from our personal XXXX  accounts to the business account at CitiBank.XXXXCitiBank statements confirm receipt of funds. Balance as of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXFrom XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CitiBank froze my account, blocking withdrawalsXXXXWe were required to fill out a questionnaire, after which the account was unblocked on XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXAccount Under ReviewXXXXIn XXXX XXXX, the account was again placed under review. Incoming payments continued, but access to funds was restricted.XXXXNo clear explanation was provided. Bank support repeatedly disconnected calls and refused to escalate to supervisors.\XXXXUnlawful Demand by CitiBank (XXXX XXXX)XXXXAt CitiBank branch XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I met with XXXX XXXX Branch Manager (NMLS ID XXXX).XXXXHe confirmed that the bank demanded I add the former owner of my XXXX  to my business account as a condition to continue operations.\n\nThis was presented as the only option, otherwise the account would be closed and a refund issued via check within 60 days.XXXXWe refused this unlawful request and agreed to account closure. On XXXX XXXX XXXX we opened an account at another bank and redirected XXXX  transactions there.\XXXXComplaints Filed:XXXXWith the assistance of XXXX XXXX, we filed two formal complaints against CitiBank:XXXXCase ID: XXXX XXXX XXXXPhone conversation reference: XXXX XXXX XXXX  Option 2-5, XXXX XXXX XXXXSecond Closure Attempt (XXXXXXXX XXXXAfter receiving the XXXX statement showing that the account was still open with balance frozen, we revisited the branch.XXXXWith the insistence of a branch employee, we finally received a conversation identifier and were promised closure with a check mailed within 60 days.XXXXCitiBank statement evidenceXXXX XXXX: balance XXXX, last operations XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX balance XXXX, no operations.XXXX XXXX XXXX: operation IMMA CLOSE OUT, final balance XXXX summary shows average daily balance XXXX proving funds remained in account during closure monthXXXXFinal ActionsXXXXOn XXXX XXXX XXXX  we delivered a full package of supporting documents to the branch at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and emailed them to XXXXXXXXDespite this, CitiBank has not returned our funds.XXXXViolations by CitiBank:XXXX Blocking access to funds without lawful basis.XXXX Imposing unlawful requirements to include the former business owner in my banking relationship.XXXX. Failure to honor commitments to return funds within stated timelines.XXXX. Withholding and removal of nearly XXXX without issuing a refund.XXXX. Ignoring filed complaints and failing to provide transparencyXXXXRequested ResolutionXXXXI respectfully request CFPB to:XXXX Conduct an investigation into CitiBanks actionsXXXX- Order CitiBank to return the withheld funds in fullXXXX Review CitiBanks practices for possible legal and regulatory violationsXXXX Ensure accountability of involved employees.'

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