Consumer complaint received 2026-01-18 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Request for Federal Investigation and Corrective Action To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to formally request an investigation into Valley Bank for discriminatory denial of banking services arising from the conduct of a branch manager at a XXXX, New Jersey location. The facts of this case demonstrate a serious civil-rights and fair-banking concern that extends beyond my individual experience and raises risk of systemic harm to other customers. 

Background and Timeline : On XX/XX/XXXX, I visited Valley Banks XXXX XXXX XXXX, located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NJ XXXX, to open a personal checking account. I provided valid government-issued identification, completed all required XXXX ( XXXX ) and account-opening procedures with a personal banker, and was approved through Valley Banks systems. 
The account was successfully opened, activated with online banking access, and later issued a debit card and official online banking enrollment letter mailed to my address. These actions confirm that Valley Banks compliance, identity verification, and risk controls were fully satisfied. 

Discriminatory Intervention and False Statement : After the account was opened, the branch manager, identified as XXXX, personally intervened and instructed the banker to close the account. I was told by the manager that the account was never opened, a statement that is demonstrably false based on Valley Banks own documentation, system access, and debit card issuance. 
No fraud, sanctions, identity issue, documentation deficiency, or compliance-based reason was provided for this closure. The termination occurred solely after the managers discretionary intervention. 

Ongoing Harm and Confirmation of Irregularity : When I later attempted to open an account at another Valley Bank branch located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NJ XXXX, I was denied service solely because the account had been opened and closed on the same day. The second branch manager stated that such a same-day open-and-close sequence is not normal and required explanation from the original branch. 
As a result of the initial managers actions, I was effectively barred from banking services at Valley Bank without justification. 

Basis for Discrimination Concern : Based on the successful completion of all compliance requirements, the manual override by a branch manager after observing me in person, the lack of any legitimate banking or compliance reason, the false statement that the account did not exist, and the ongoing denial of service across branches, I believe this conduct constitutes discriminatory denial of the right to make and enforce a financial contract in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1981, applicable fair-banking laws, and federal consumer protection standards. 

Broader Public Interest : I am filing this complaint not only to seek accountability for my own experience, but to prevent similar conduct from occurring to other customers, particularly immigrants and people of color, who may not have the resources or documentation to challenge such treatment.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation