Consumer complaint received 2025-02-13 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account — Banking errors
Company: OLD NATIONAL BANCORP
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I visited the Old National Bank at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, IL, where my safe deposit box is located. On that day, I became current on my yearly payments, and the safety deposit box is up for renewal on XX/XX/XXXX. I inquired about having the box drilled because I could not find the key. They advised me to search for the key first, as drilling the box would cost {$150.00} out of pocket. 

Today, Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX, I returned to the Old National Bank, at the same location, to have my box drilled so that I could obtain a new key. After the box was drilled, I was informed by the persnal banker that I was working with that I would need to have a checking account open for at least XXXX months before I could have a safety deposit box again. The box was originally purchased in XXXX when the bank was known as XXXX Bank, which was later acquired by XXXX XXXX Bank and subsequently by Old National Bank. 

I went through the process of opening a checking account, but my application was denied, despite having active checking accounts with Bank XXXX XXXX and XXXX Bank. I was informed that I would have to close the safety deposit box because I wasn't able to open a checking account, which also would not meet the six-month minimum requirement. As I mentioned earlier, the account is current, and the renewal is not due until XX/XX/XXXX. 

I then asked about a refund for the remainder of my safety deposit box lease. Ultimately, it was up to the XXXX to make that decision, and he refused to refund me the {$40.00}. When the personal banker I was working with asked me to sign a release for the termination of the safety deposit box, I declined to sign it. The personal banker spoke to his XXXX, who then came out to talk to me while I was at the personal banker 's desk. The XXXX stated that without a checking account, I could not keep my safety deposit box. I reiterated that I would not sign the release for termination. 

In the end, the XXXX said that if I did not sign the release of termination, I would not be able to access my box. I replied, " That's fine. '' The XXXX then instructed the personal banker to note this in my profile and returned to his office. I requested a copy of my safety deposit box lease, a receipt for the drilling, and a receipt for the payments I made in XX/XX/XXXX. 

The entire experience felt like a hostile takeover and an absolute shakedown. I specifically chose the word " shakedown '' because I have a XXXX safety deposit box, which is a popular size. My assumption is that the bank wants me out of the box to either sell it or allocate it to preferred banking customers with " deep pockets. '' The bank was overzealous when they wrote a release date of XX/XX/XXXX in red marker on the original safe deposit box lease and completed the release section of the lease. However, I want to clarify that I did not sign for any release of the safe deposit box. I removed the belongings from the box because a new lock needed to be placed after it was drilled. 

I have paid for the box, I am current on my payments, and I even covered the costs for drilling into it. Yet suddenly, I am unable to access my safety deposit box, and I wouldnt be issued a refund even if I agreed to close it. I would like to keep my safety deposit box open without having to maintain a checking account. I am willing to pay for multiple years in advance.

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