Legal Question in Banking Law in New York

Four months ago I had a problem with the notary at my bank. First they said the forms can't be notarized (pre-printed surrogate court documents with 'Notarized by:' etc. printed right on it (which I have had notarized annually for over a decade)). Then they said ok, and read the entire document seeing they were annual guardian reports (for disabled adults). Then they said ok sign them. I did. Then they said signatures don't match. They finally realized they did. During this frustrating process I told the notary they should not be working with the public. They then refused to notarize the already-signed documents unless I apologized. They blackmailied me into apologizing. Then they made me raise my right hand and repeat after them the confirmation statement printed on the form. Blackmailied again into this.This 3 minute task turned into a 20 minute conflict. I filed a complaint with the NY state notary licensing office. Well, nearly four months (5/12/22) later I get a voicemail from the bank's chairman's office. I have called back several times over the last week but just get voicemail.

Now I learn confidentially from another bank employee that the bank is debating closing all of my accounts because of the complaint. They said the notary claims I was threatening, when the only thing I sad was that I was going to get her fired.

I have banked there over 15 years, have a dozen accounts that are always in good standing and a loan with them.

They are contemplating retaliating against me for one or more reasons: 1) they are retaliating against me for filing a complaint with the state (which has nothing to do with the bank and which I am entitled to do)l; 2) they are retaliating against me because I referred in the complaint I filed that the notary slandered me saying my signatures didn't match my license; (this is a supermarket bank with scores of people witnessing this scene 3) they are retaliating against me because I am the guardian of two disabled adults (telling me they can't notarize my surrogate's court documents (for which I have 2 rep payee accounts)); or 4) they are retaliating against me because I am an older male and the notary is a younger female.

The incident took place on Saturday 1/29 and I filed my complaint Monday 1/31. No word about this until the bank's voicemail on 5/12.

What recourse do I have if the bank closes all of my accounts when it's obviously retaliatory?


Asked on 5/18/22, 11:27 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Richard Bryan Richard Bryan Attorney PC

Well you can certainly sue them, that’s for certain. Please feel free to reach out if they take any illegal actions.

Good luck.

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Answered on 5/19/22, 12:20 pm


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