Wachovia Bank Urged to Explain Muslim Account Holder Closures

CAIR

Posted May 8, 2006      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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MUSLIMS URGE WACHOVIA TO EXPLAIN ACCOUNT CLOSURES


(WASHINGTON, DC, 5/8/2006) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the MAS Freedom Foundation today announced a campaign urging Wachovia to explain and reverse its decision to close the accounts of Muslims and the Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help (FAITH) - a small, Northern Virginia charity that provides assistance to people of all faiths.

In November, 2005, Wachovia sent a letter to FAITH announcing that the organization’s accounts would be closed in January, 2006. Wachovia had never previously expressed any concern about the charity. At all times during FAITH’s several-year relationship with Wachovia the organization’s accounts were in good standing.

Despite numerous attempts by FAITH to discuss the issue with Wachovia, the bank’s position remains unsatisfactory. Wachovia Senior Vice President Jeraldine Davis said in a letter to the charity, “As you are aware the Bank’s contract with FAITH provides that the Bank can close any customer’s account at any time…”

“Wachovia’s heavy-handed approach to this small community charity requires explanation,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Since 9/11, the American Muslim community has noticed disturbing trends within the national banking community where law-abiding American Muslims are seemingly and summarily being denied service based solely on their name, religion or ethnicity.”

CAIR and the MAS Freedom Foundation today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to urge Wachovia to explain and reverse its decision to close the accounts of several Muslims and the Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help (FAITH) - a small, Northern Virginia charity that provides assistance to people of all faiths.

In November, 2005, Wachovia sent a letter to FAITH announcing that the organization’s accounts would be closed in January, 2006. Wachovia had never previously expressed any concern about the charity. At all times during FAITH’s several-year relationship with Wachovia the organization’s accounts were in good standing.

Despite numerous attempts by FAITH to discuss the issue with Wachovia, the bank’s position remains unsatisfactory. Wachovia Senior Vice President Jeraldine Davis said in a letter to the charity, “As you are aware the Bank’s contract with FAITH provides that the Bank can close any customer’s account at any time…The Bank has determined that FAITH does not fit the business profile of a customer with whom the Bank chooses to transact business.”

“Wachovia’s heavy-handed approach to this small community charity requires explanation,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Since 9/11, the American Muslim community has noticed disturbing trends within the national banking industry where law-abiding American Muslims are seemingly and summarily being denied service based solely on their name, religion or ethnicity.”

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED: (As always, please be POLITE.)

1. CONTACT Wachovia and urge them to provide a satisfactory explanation for their decision to close Muslim and FAITH’s accounts, issue a public apology, and reinstate the accounts. COPY TO: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mr. Jeff Gish, Senior Vice President,
Community Relations Executive,
MidAtlantic Region
Wachovia Corporation
Phone: 804-697-7631
Fax: 804-697-7079
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Wachovia Corporate Communications Department Phone: (704) 374-2138
Wachovia Contact Us Webform: https://www.wachovia.com/form/1,,14,00.html

2. EMAIL CAIR at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and answer the following questions:
a. Do you have an account or do business with Wachovia?
b. Are you willing to move your account elsewhere if CAIR calls for a boycott?
c. Are you aware of any Muslim accounts Wachovia has closed in a similar fashion?

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