Customer Assistance Information from 2009

This section is a summary of cases filed with the OCC's Customer Assistance Group in 2009.

Cases Received from Consumers - Chart 1 shows the total number of cases received by the Customer Assistance Group and a breakdown by case type for a five year period. Some cases are simple inquiries; others are complaints. An inquiry is a request for general information. A complaint is a written expression of dissatisfaction.

Complaints by Major Product - Chart 2 shows the distribution of complaints by the major products offered by most national banks. Historically, complaints about credit card accounts have been the number one product generating complaints for the past five years.

Reimbursements to Customers of National Banks - Chart 3 shows the total volume of funds that customers of national banks have been reimbursed over a five year period. The reimbursements occurred as a result of the consumer filing a complaint with the OCC's Customer Assistance Group.

Reimbursement Distribution by Complaint Volume - Chart 4 shows that the consumer received a reimbursement in 57% of the complaints closed in 2009 and the amount of the reimbursement was less than $200.

Reimbursement Distribution by Complaint Volume - Chart 5 shows that complaints closed in 2009 with reimbursements of less than $200 represent only 5% of the total dollars reimbursed.

Reimbursement by Complaint Type - Chart 6 shows that credit card complaints represent 49% of all complaints with reimbursements on complaints closed in 2009.



Chart 1
Year Inquiries Complaints
2005 40,983 31,793
2006 35,591 27,155
2007 43,619 28,316
2008 60,481 34,542
2009 90,109 72,047
Total Cases 270,783 193,853



Complaints by Major Product

2009
Complaints by Major Product Volume % of Total
Credit Card 26,380 37%
Checking Account 15,057 21%
Mortgage 19,669 27%
Consumer Loans 1,795 2%
Time Deposit 1,257 2%
Other 7,889 11%
Total 72,047 100%



Credit Card Complaints by Regulatory and Customer Service Issue

Reimbursements to Customers of National Banks
Year  Total Compensation 
2005 $7,749,360
2006 $7,998,297
2007 $8,809,334
2008 $11,486,825
2009 $9,240,043
Total $45,283,859



Checking Account Complaints by Regulatory and Customer Service Issue

Reimbursement Distribution by Complaint Volume 2009
Dollar Range Number of Cases %
$ 0 - $200 5,874 57%
$201 - $1,000 3,409 33%
$1,001 - $10,000 956 9%
$10,001 - $50,000 120 1%
Over $50,000 22 0%
Total 10,381 100%



Mortgage Loan Complaints by Regulatory and Customer Service Issue

Reimbursement Distribution by Dollar Amount 2009
Dollar Range Reimbursement Amount %
$ 0 - $200 $491,827 5.3%
$201 - $1,000 $1,462,454 15.8%
$1,001 - $10,000 $2,712,328 29.4%
$10,001 - $50,000 $2,322,419 25.1%
Over $50,000 $2,252,014 24.4%
Total $9,241,042 100%



Reimbursements to Customers of National Banks

Reimbursement by Complaint Type 2009
Complaint Type/Product   %
Credit Card 5,126 49%
Checking Account 3,584 35%
Mortgage/Home Equity Loan/HELOC 711 7%
Savings Account 148 1%
Consumer Loan 127 1%
Other 685 7%
Total 10,381 100%



 

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