Consumer complaint received 2025-05-02 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Closing an account — Funds not received from closed account
Company: COMMERCE BANK
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Commerce Bank regarding their improper handling of an XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account ( XXXX  ) containing client funds in the amount of {$85000.00}. 

Background : I am an XXXX  and member of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a XXXX XXXX in the process of winding up its business. I am an authorized signatory on the XXXX  's XXXX account held at Commerce Bank. The account contains client trust funds that belong to my clients who have specifically authorized their transfer to my new XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Specific Complaints Against Commerce Bank : 1. Failure to Communicate with All Account Holders : Commerce Bank made significant decisions affecting the XXXX  account while only communicating with one account holder ( XXXX XXXX ) and completely failing to contact me for my perspective on the situation, despite my equal status as an authorized signatory. This one-sided communication represents a fundamental failure of due diligence and proper account management, particularly for a sensitive client trust account. 

2. Improper Account Closure Without Notice to All Authorized Signatories : Commerce Bank abruptly closed all XXXX  accounts, including our XXXX XXXX account, on XX/XX/year>, without providing adequate notice to all authorized signatories, specifically myself. This unilateral action was taken despite my status as an authorized signatory on the account. 

3. Failure to Deposit Funds with a Neutral Third Party : When closing the XXXX  account, Commerce Bank converted the trust funds to a paper check and mailed it to an address exclusively occupied by only one party to the dispute ( XXXX XXXX ), despite being explicitly informed of the contentious dissolution and my explicit warning that I had vacated that office. The bank should have deposited these disputed funds with a neutral third party, such as the Court 's registry or a neutral escrow agent, rather than effectively giving one disputant exclusive control over client trust funds. 

4. Denial of Online Banking Access : On or about XX/XX/year>, I discovered I was locked out of online banking access despite being an authorized signatory with previous access. When I contacted the bank to request information regarding my online banking access, the bank failed to respond to my inquiries. 

5. Demonstrating Inappropriate Bias in a Partnership Dispute : Bank personnel confirmed that their actions were taken as a direct result of communications with my XXXX  partner, XXXX XXXX, while completely disregarding my equal standing in the account. Commerce Bank inappropriately took sides in a business dispute between partners, choosing to exclusively communicate with XXXX XXXX and honor her instructions while ignoring or dismissing my equally valid authority as an authorized signatory on all accounts. 

6. Refusal to Honor Stop-Payment Request : As an authorized signatory on the account, I made timely requests to cancel the check and issue a replacement via hand delivery to protect client funds. Commerce Bank unlawfully ignored these requests in violation of UCC 4-403, which recognizes the right of a customer to stop payment. 

7. Violation of UCC Section 4-401 : Commerce Bank charged items that were not " properly payable '' given the circumstances and documented pattern of unauthorized actions.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation