Consumer complaint received 2025-09-29 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
CFPB. 
I am submitting this complaint because I believe Bank of America has engaged in practices that are unfair, unreasonable, and harmful to me as a consumer. Over the past several years, my experiences with this bank have been consistently negative, marked by lack of transparency, poor communication, and systemic barriers that have prevented me from accessing even the most basic banking services.

Account Closure Without Notice In XXXX, Bank of America issued me a debit card and set up an account for me. At that time, I was ready to begin using the account for everyday financial needs such as deposits, direct deposits, and bill payments. Unfortunately, I never even had the opportunity to deposit a single dollar into that account. Without giving me any notice, warning, or explanation, Bank of America abruptly closed the account. This closure was carried out in a way that completely disregarded my rights as a consumer. I was not given an opportunity to resolve any alleged issues, I was not provided with clear communication about why the closure occurred, and I was not allowed to even activate and use the account in a meaningful way. 

Closing an account before it is ever used especially without sending notice is an egregious practice. Consumers should not be penalized before they have a chance to establish a relationship with the institution. This type of behavior undermines consumer trust and raises serious questions about how Bank of America decides who may or may not participate in their banking system.

Barriers to Accessing Credit In addition to the unfair closure of my account, I have also encountered major issues when attempting to apply for a credit card with Bank of America. Over the recent weekend, I submitted an application online through their system. Instead of processing my application in a straightforward manner, the system informed me that I would have to call to verify my identity. It also stated that I would need a reference number to proceed.

Here is where the issue became unacceptable : the system never actually provided me with a reference number. Without this required number, I was left in limbo. I was unable to proceed with the verification process, unable to complete my application, and essentially blocked from applying for a Bank of America credit card altogether. This is not just an inconvenience it is a deliberate barrier that prevents me from fairly accessing credit products.

Access to credit is essential for consumers to build financial stability, improve credit history, and participate fully in the economy. By denying me a reference number and making the application process unnecessarily complicated, Bank of America is effectively creating an environment of exclusion. This feels discriminatory, unfair, and completely at odds with what a bank should be doing to serve its customers.

Pattern of Unfair Treatment Taken together, these experiences show a pattern of Bank of America failing to treat me fairly. From the sudden and unexplained account closure in XXXX to the obstructive credit card application process in XXXX, the bank has consistently denied me the opportunity to establish a normal consumer relationship. Instead of being supported or assisted, I have been met with roadblocks and dismissive practices. 

I am aware that banks have obligations under federal law to operate in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner. Closing accounts without notice and obstructing credit applications without providing necessary reference information does not reflect compliance with these obligations. Instead, these actions appear to be deliberate attempts to discourage me as a customer, limit my ability to access basic financial services, and cause unnecessary stress and harm.

Impact on Me as a Consumer These practices have had a significant impact on me. Not being able to open and maintain a bank account has limited my ability to manage my finances effectively. Being denied the chance to even apply for a credit card due to a system error or refusal to provide me with a reference number has limited my ability
to build credit, access financial products, and plan for the future. This has created emotional distress, financial uncertainty, and an overall lack of trust in one of the largest financial institutions in the country.

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 monetary relief