Consumer complaint received 2025-07-18 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: BMO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
This was the email sent to executives at BMO - On XXXX,2025, I visited your XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CA XXXX ) to withdraw {$6800.00}. After verifying my ID and debit card, the teller escalated my request to some department on the phone. After about 10 minutes of waiting I was then informed by branch manager XXXX XXXX that my account was under review due to recent wire transfers, including deposits from XXXX ( an online cryptocurrency exchange ). 

The manager stated the fraud department would take 3090 days to verify these deposits. This would leave me without access to essential funds... not only to pay rent and support my sick mother in Michigan, but also with a baby on the way in less than three weeks!

This situation is untenable. I have never experienced something like this at any previous bank ( XXXX, XXXX  XXXX XXXX, XXXX ). Furthermore, under the Expedited Funds Availability Act ( Regulation CC ), electronic depositsincluding wiresmust generally be made available in full by the next business day. While there are provisions for reasonable holds on large or suspicious deposits, those apply to checks, not direct electronic transfers like wires.

If BMO is deciding to close my account, I expect the full balance to be issued via cashiers check without delay. I refuse to wait 30+ days while facing eviction and hardship.This situation is not just financially devastating but its deeply personal and degrading. To make matters worse, I cant ignore the feeling that I was treated with suspicion not because of the facts, but because of who I am- a brown man walking into a bank to withdraw cash. Instead of being treated like a valued customer, I was treated like a threat. Ive done nothing wrong. Ive never committed fraud. I have a clean record. Every dollar in my account is hard-earned and legitimate. And yet here I am, being punished for simply needing to use my own funds.

Now, over {$25000.00} of my money is being frozen with no clear justification or timeline for resolution. I am behind on rent. I had to borrow cash from friends just to buy food yesterday. My mother is ill in Michigan and I send her support. I have my first child arriving in less than three weeks. What am I supposed to do? How is this humane? How am I supposed to eat and live? Please think as a human rather than a corporate representative. Ive attached my babys ultrasound to help you understand the seriousness of my situation. In just a couple weeks, Ill be bringing a child into this world and Im truly at a loss. How am I supposed to explain to my newborn that I cant afford basic necessities like food or clothing because BMO has decided to withhold my funds?

This is my only personal checking account, and yet BMO is holding my entire balance XXXX, acting as if I can survive without access to a XXXX XXXX  for 3090 days. Ive never experienced anything like this at XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, XXXX, or any bank Ive ever used before. 

I have attached documentation for all recent wires and XXXX withdrawals. I intend to follow up daily at the number provided ( XXXX ), via email, or in person at a local branch, including escalating to headquarters or media outlets if necessary. This treatment feels discriminatory and punitive, especially given my clean record and transparent account activity. I expect to be issued a cashier 's check immediately.

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 non-monetary relief