Bank Error Makes Florida Man Millionaire for a Day

TAMPA, Fla. — Howard Jenkins had fun as a multimillionaire, even making a $4-million withdrawal during his lunch break.

Why?

Because it was there, after a bank’s computer error put $88 million in his account.

Jenkins’ brief stint as a rich man started when he lost his checkbook. He called NationsBank and put a temporary hold on the account. When he went to make a deposit last Friday, he was told to check the automated teller machine outside to make sure the account was active again.

When he withdrew $10, the receipt said Jenkins’ balance was $889,437. Incredulous, Jenkins went home and called the bank’s telephone system and got even better news. A computerized voice told him his account topped $88 million.

Jenkins returned to the bank and asked a teller for his balance. When she wrote eight digits on a piece of paper and slid it to him, “I almost fainted,” he said.

“She said: ‘Did you get an inheritance or something?’ ” Jenkins said. “I said: ‘Or something.’ ”

He decided to ask for a $4-million withdrawal. “They handed me $4 million and didn’t bat an eye,” said Jenkins, 31, the promotional manager for a roofing company.

He picked up his girlfriend for lunch and showed her the money: $3,000 in cash and seven checks, one for $997,000 and the rest for $500,000 each. “Her first reaction was ‘Where are we going?’ Her second reaction was ‘You know we can’t keep this,’ ” Jenkins said.

Later that day, he went back to the bank with his lawyer--to make sure the bank didn’t try to arrest him--and “handed them back every penny they gave me.”

Alex Sink, president of NationsBank of Florida, chalked it up to a computer error.