Watch CBS News

Arab Group Files Bank Account Closures Lawsuit

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - A civil rights group has filed a class-action lawsuit against Huntington Bank, saying it improperly closed accounts held by Detroit-area Arab Americans.

Attorney Nabih Ayad says the Arab-American Civil Rights League filed the suit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

The organization says it's received hundreds of complaints that bank accounts were closed for no apparent reason. It says Huntington informed Arab American account holders by letter that the accounts were being closed but gave no other explanations.

The organization earlier this year asked the federal government to investigate banks for closing Arab Americans' accounts.

Huntington spokeswoman Maureen Brown says the bank is reviewing the matter but can't comment on legal issues. Brown says Huntington "appreciates the opportunity to do business within the Arab-American community" in Detroit and elsewhere.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.