Huntington Bank Formerly First Merit Bank Complaint: Fee Frenzy, Worst customer service ever… Mount Morris MI Branch Nationwide, MI

I have been attempting to close this account since December, due to their fee frenzy.  I was under the impression that I had moved all of my existing services to my current bank.  Apparently, I didn't make the site correction, and the other just chose to "up" me for their annual subscription w/o my permission.

I was under the impression this account was closed/ inactive; I had gone on my account web page and sent a message to close it.  I get a bill in for over $150, and I go in and speak w/ them.  Initially, the bank manager attempted to convince me that these were legitimate charges.  It is also apparent that Huntington's Bank policy is to honor every ACH/Debit request whether or not there is money in the account and then they get to charge you their exorbitant fees (multiple times if the request is resubmitted).  Ultimately, I got the vendor on the phone, in the Managers office who agreed that the charge was not legitimate and it would be reversed.  At this point, I attempted to close the account and was told by the manager that she couldn't until that charge was reversed.   I wrote a check for the existing balanced and was told by the manager that the account was going to be marked no further debits or withdrawals from this account.  That was last month.  This month, over $40 in fees again.  Apparently, another former vendor attempted to withdraw a subscription payment.  I have no control over this.  It seems that Huntington Bank policy is to accept any charge made against your account, regardless of whether there are funds or not, and charge you an overdraft fee.

 I called the 800 corporate numbers, online, and spoke with both a CSR-M and a CSR-V, both individuals also initially attempted to convince me this was acceptable practice, and when I told them what the local branch manager had done, I was told, "I don't know why she would do that.."  When I asked if that means the manager is incompetent, I was told to watch my tone and your problem is with First Merit Bank    I am not certain, but how does one go about an error correction with a business that has been purchased?  My experience, in business, usually indicates that when you purchase a business with assets - you also purchase their liabilities.  Ultimately after both of these individuals realized that I wasn't accepting their flimsy responses, I was told, "Don't like it don't pay it ...we will turn you over to collection."

I, of course, will pay this; rather than jeopardize my credit, but it is my intention to file this complaint with the MI banking regulation authority, better business bureau, and any site that allows reviews of business (especially financial sites).  This is the poorest excuse for customer service, I have seen yet and they must get away with it.  What alternative would a consumer have against them?