Checking or savings account -- Closing an account -- Complaint #9701114
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 9701114
Company: First Merchants Corporation
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-Product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-Issue: Fees charged for closing account
State: Arkansas
ZIP Code: XXXXX
Date Received: 2024-08-03T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2024-08-03T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Consumer Narrative
Starting from XX/XX/year>, I made endless calls to First Merchants Bank ( Ohio ) requesting to close my checking account. Initially, the manager said that the account would be closed soon. Then, in late XXXX, they requested a notarized letter. I sent the notarized letter to the XXXX XXXX XXXX First Merchants Bank. One manager confirmed that he received the physical letter and that he would close my account soon. I waited several weeks after that, only finding that the account was not closed. I called the branch many more times, and they said that the specific manager who received the notarized letter no longer worked in the branch and that the other managers would not locate the notarized letter. However, they added that since they indeed received the letter before, they would still go ahead and close my account. I waited another two months. During this two-month period, I called the bank so many times, and each time, I was told that the account would be closed soon. In fact, the account did not get closed during the two-month period. I called the branch again, and at that time, they mentioned that I just needed to sign a Request for Early Charge Off of a Deposit Account form. I immediately signed the form and returned the form to the manager. They finally received the form and said that my account would be closed soon. Then, in early XXXX, I found that the account was still not closed. I called the branch again, and the manager assured me many times that the account would be very definitely closed in the coming week or at the latest in the third week of XXXX. I waited for another two months. In XXXX. I checked online and found that the checking account was still open. I called the branch again twice in XXXX. They said that as long as I could send a secure message from my online banking requesting the checking account, the account would be closed soon. I sent the secure message right away and waited for several days. The account was still not closed. I called the branch again and finally talked to a higher-level manager. The higher-level manager said that I would need to send them a notarized letter again since they could not find the previous notarized letter. She said that once she receives the letter, she will close the account. I have sent the required notarized letter using USPS-certified mail. On XX/XX/year>, the higher-level manager called me and mentioned that she just closed my account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #9701114 about?
Complaint #9701114 was filed against First Merchants Corporation regarding Checking or savings account specifically about Closing an account. It was received by the CFPB on 2024-08-03T12:00:00-05:00.
How did First Merchants Corporation respond to this complaint?
The company responded with: "Closed with explanation". The response was timely.
What is the risk level of this complaint?
See the risk assessment section for details on this complaint's risk profile.
How do I file a similar complaint?
You can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select the appropriate product category (Checking or savings account) and describe your issue in detail.
Can I see other complaints against First Merchants Corporation?
Yes, visit the First Merchants Corporation company profile at readthecomplaint.com/company/first-merchants-corporation to see all complaints, risk scores, and analysis.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated based on publicly available CFPB complaint data. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.