Gee, I hate to this, but this thread is like a mystery novel. At your expense, unfortunately, andyaycw. 
I had a similar thing happen with Chase bank. I was denied a checking account (although I have credit cards with them, zero balance, no problems ever). I pulled my credit report (the one they blamed) and there was NOTHING bad with it. In fact, my FICO score was 800+. I had recently received a ChexSystem report (denied by another bank for a checking account and they blamed ChexSystems). Nothing wrong there. No baddies. I called Chase to learn more. They said if the system told me no, (and they verified that I was denied) then the answer was NO.
Go figure!
Maybe they're looking for high risk customers so that they can collect on lots of fees, haha. That is very strange though.
If all else fails, maybe applying at a branch would yield better results.
If all else fails, maybe applying at a branch would yield better results.
Starting Score: EQ 773, TU 766
Managers can frequently override ChexSystems issues on either a temporary or permanent basis. Don't lose that letter though - sometimes they make later sweeps through the accounts and old problems can come back to haunt you.
Regarding the OP's situation: If there is a problem with ChexSystems and you don't already know what it is it could be bad news. Let's hope it was just an error and not something more sinister.
Update as promised!
I got my Chexsystems report last week and there was no negative information. All personal information matched to the letter. I called and told them this and was informed that if I wanted an account I could A) fax them a dispute with the denial letter and my credit reports, or B) just go to a branch and open there.
To summarize: Equifax and Chex were cited as the reasons for the denial. Equifax has 2 inquiries in the past year and two years (one of which is 7 months old; the other fairly recent at 1 month old), 1 new account in the past year, and a FICO of 733 with 3 years of history and AAoA of 1 year (also worthy to note that I've never been late or had any negative info on my CRs). Chex has no negative information being reported, all personal information matching that of the three major CRAs, and the only inquiries (aside from Citi themselves from my initial app) listed are a credit union back in 2007, and Wamu back in 2006.
On another note, I stumbled upon another thread in the "Credit Cards" forum where someone had their account closed by Citi for simply having too many bank/revolving accounts. They had six! If anyone remembers the Amex madness last year with the massive FRs, account closures and CLDs, this sure is reminiscent of it with Citi: closing accounts for bogus reasons, denying checking/savings accounts to someone with a clean record, and whatnot.
I'm beginning to think that Citi simply isn't worth the hassle.
I got my Chexsystems report last week and there was no negative information. All personal information matched to the letter. I called and told them this and was informed that if I wanted an account I could A) fax them a dispute with the denial letter and my credit reports, or B) just go to a branch and open there.
To summarize: Equifax and Chex were cited as the reasons for the denial. Equifax has 2 inquiries in the past year and two years (one of which is 7 months old; the other fairly recent at 1 month old), 1 new account in the past year, and a FICO of 733 with 3 years of history and AAoA of 1 year (also worthy to note that I've never been late or had any negative info on my CRs). Chex has no negative information being reported, all personal information matching that of the three major CRAs, and the only inquiries (aside from Citi themselves from my initial app) listed are a credit union back in 2007, and Wamu back in 2006.
On another note, I stumbled upon another thread in the "Credit Cards" forum where someone had their account closed by Citi for simply having too many bank/revolving accounts. They had six! If anyone remembers the Amex madness last year with the massive FRs, account closures and CLDs, this sure is reminiscent of it with Citi: closing accounts for bogus reasons, denying checking/savings accounts to someone with a clean record, and whatnot.
I'm beginning to think that Citi simply isn't worth the hassle.
Mystery solved, kinda of..I think:
Third time's a charm - I got to a supervisor and they told me I was denied because I answered one of the security questions incorrectly. That's odd, I don't remember being asked any security questions. And if that was the case, why would they cite Equifax or Chex as the reason(s) for denial, instead of flat out saying "we couldn't verify your identity?"
Something still seems fishy, but at this point I have more important things to deal with. When it all comes down to it, I think I'll just app at a branch.
On another note if anyone has any suggestions for a good checking/savings, feel free to post or PM me. Ever since Chase took over Wamu, things just haven't been the same. (Free services (no minimums required), good customer service, good online access/services, and all around good terms for the account are all I'm looking for. Nothing fancy. )
Third time's a charm - I got to a supervisor and they told me I was denied because I answered one of the security questions incorrectly. That's odd, I don't remember being asked any security questions. And if that was the case, why would they cite Equifax or Chex as the reason(s) for denial, instead of flat out saying "we couldn't verify your identity?"
Something still seems fishy, but at this point I have more important things to deal with. When it all comes down to it, I think I'll just app at a branch.
On another note if anyone has any suggestions for a good checking/savings, feel free to post or PM me. Ever since Chase took over Wamu, things just haven't been the same. (Free services (no minimums required), good customer service, good online access/services, and all around good terms for the account are all I'm looking for. Nothing fancy. )