Consumer complaint received 2025-12-29 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
Product : Checking or savings account ( Business account ) Company : Fifth Third Bank , National Association Summary This submission is a supplemental complaint referencing my prior CFPB complaint ( Case No. XXXX ). It is not duplicative and addresses new information identified after the prior closure and material inaccuracies and omissions in Fifth Third Banks response. Specifically, it concerns a factually inaccurate internal fraud rationale, an account restriction imposed immediately following a branch interaction, and additional documentation demands made after the deposit had already cleared. This filing is submitted to clarify the sequence of events, correct the regulatory record, and request appropriate supervisory review. 

Details On or about XX/XX/2025, between approximately XXXX XXXX. and XXXXXXXX XXXX, I visited the Fifth Third Bank branch at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Illinois, to withdraw {$6000.00} from my business account. The funds consisted of legitimate insurance proceeds that had fully cleared the prior day. I had completed withdrawals the previous day at other Fifth Third branches without issue. 

After providing valid identification and answering all security questions, the teller ( XXXX XXXX XXXX began reading my recent transactions aloud in front of others and made a disparaging remark about a branch location. Multiple bank employees and customers were present in the lobby and teller area at the time. 

When I asked why the transaction was being treated as suspicious, the teller stated words to the effect that she did not mind jumping across the counter and tackling me and added dont let my old age fool you. The teller then left the teller area to make an internal call. 

Several minutes later, the teller returned into the public lobby, repeatedly calling my name in a sarcastic manner and denied the withdrawal, stating she could not reach the person needed to verify the transaction. When I asked whether a cashiers check could be issued, I was told I could receive nothing. I stated that I felt I was being treated unfairly and asked for the tellers name. She provided her business card, which I still possess. A personal witness was present with me throughout the interaction. 

Immediately after I left the branch, my business account was flagged for fraud and frozen. I contacted Fifth Third customer service around XXXX XXXX. the same day to report the incident and the treatment I experienced. The account remained restricted for approximately XXXX ( XXXX ) days, during which time I was unable to access funds, and Fifth Third requested additional documentation regarding the deposit despite the funds having already cleared prior to the incident. 

In subsequent days, a branch manager in XXXX contacted Fifth Thirds XXXX Department and advised me that the documented internal reason for the fraud flag stated that I allegedly became suspicious and left. This explanation is factually inaccurate and contradicted by the circumstances, including that my identification was returned, the teller provided her business card, multiple employees were present, a witness was with me, and branch surveillance footage should reflect the full interaction. 

Fifth Thirds response to my prior CFPB complaint characterized the action as a routine hold and did not address the tellers statements, the public disclosure of my transactions, the presence of employees and witnesses, or the documented internal fraud rationale later identified. 

As a result of the account restriction, I was temporarily unable to access funds, and my business relationship was damaged due to the appearance of impropriety. I filed a police report the following day regarding the tellers statements. 

Requested Review I respectfully request that the CFPB : 1. Review Fifth Third Banks handling of this matter in light of the factually inaccurate internal fraud rationale, the timing of the account restriction, and the post-clearance documentation requests. 
2. Review whether Fifth Thirds prior CFPB response omitted or mischaracterized material facts. 
3. Ensure preservation and review of relevant materials, including branch surveillance footage, internal fraud notes, call logs, customer service recordings, and employee records for those present at the branch during the incident. 
4. Take any supervisory or corrective action deemed appropriate.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation