Consumer complaint received 2025-02-27 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Banking errors
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a formal complaint against Citibank for failing to process transactions in a timely manner, which has resulted in financial harm, emotional distress, and unnecessary strain between me and my fiance during one of the most important moments of our livesour wedding. Due to Citibanks negligence, I have been left unable to pay for my cruise ship tickets for my wedding, which are due tonight at midnight. I am demanding immediate resolution and financial compensation for the damages I have suffered. 

Due to Citibanks delayed transaction processing, I incorrectly assumed I had {$80.00} plus an incoming refund of {$1400.00}, which would have brought my total to XXXX XXXXenough to pay for my wedding cruise tickets. However, instead of my refund being added to my available balance, Citibank immediately took the entire amount to cover a discrepancy created by Citibanks own delayed processing. This left me with only {$25.00} in my account, making it impossible to pay for my wedding cruise tickets. 

In an attempt to recover funds, I refunded a best man gift, expecting those funds to be immediately available to cover the payment. Instead, Citibank immediately took the entire {$1400.00} refund to cover the previous discrepancy, leaving me once again without enough money. To try again, I refunded a second best man gift worth {$1700.00}, expecting those funds to be available for my wedding expenses. Now, Citibank is holding that refund for seven business days, despite the fact that refunds to my debit card have always been available immediately in the past. Because of these delays, I now have no way to pay my cruise line tickets before my midnight deadline tonight, and I have lost both gifts meant for my best man. 

This situation has caused significant emotional and financial stress between me and my fiance, all because a multibillion-dollar company refuses to release a mere {$1700.00} hold. 

Because of Citibanks failure to process transactions properly, I am demanding immediate financial compensation for the damages I have suffered. 

I am requesting a financial credit of at least {$3200.00} to compensate for : The total amount of funds Citibank has withheld from me The loss of my wedding cruise tickets due to Citibanks errors The loss of two best man gifts that I was forced to refund The severe emotional distress, relationship strain, and inconvenience caused by Citibanks mishandling of my funds I am requesting the immediate release of my funds, including the {$1700.00} refund that Citibank is unjustifiably holding, as well as an official explanation as to why Citibank is suddenly delaying my refund when similar refunds have always been available instantly. I also request corrective action to ensure Citibank processes transactions and refunds in a timely manner to prevent further financial harm to customers.

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