My mother, XXXX XXXX XXXX, purchased a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of {$8000.00} from XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. She kept a lock box on her dining room table with all important documents. She passed away XXXX XXXX, XXXX. My only sibling and I decided to let this CD continue to mature. He and I agreed that I should remain custody of our mothers personal matters. He was a homicide victim in XXXX XXXX. He left no heirs. I have known where this CD has been kept since her death. I decided in XXXX to negotiate the CD as it is now 29 years old. I went to Wells Fargo ( who merged with XXXX XXXX in XXXX ) and presented the original CD and was referred to a banker who after seeing the item referred me to a different banker to help me. My mother left no will, so the bank sent me to obtain a " Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property '' I filled out the paperwork, had my signature notarized and returned to the bank. I was then informed that this issue would be " escalated '' to the branch manager. The bank made photocopies of all my paperwork and asked me to give them some time to " investigate ''. When speaking with the bank manager, XXXX XXXX, she agreed with me that the certificate is the original, I then pointed out to her several " highlights '' of this particular CD. ( at the top, it states " continuous-no renewal necessary '' and near the center of the document it states " upon presentation and surrender of this certificate ) ... please see the attached copy of the document ). I returned to Wells Fargo located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX yesterday ( XXXX ) and made contact with the bank manager who told me that even though she had " escalated '' my case, the entity who she sent my case to has declined to negotiate this CD. I sincerely believe that my mother would have surrendered this CD, IF she had wished to negotiate this document. Wells Fargo is unable to offer proof of when they cashed this CD. XXXX XXXX ( before she sent a copy of the document to whoever could assist her in this matter ) agreed with me as I pointed out the phrase " upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed '' clearly stated on the document that I was attempting to " surrender '' it. My belief is that this document : a ) has never been cashed ; no entity would " take someone 's word ( my Mom 's ) that they had not cashed it and give my mother the value of the CD plus any interest it would have earned, b ) was never lost by either my mother or myself. 
I feel that Wells Fargo should negotiate this CD ( face amount PLUS any and all interest earned for 29 years and 1 month ). 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX AZ XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX ( cell ) 
