Jan 14 (Reuters) - Capital One was sued on

Tuesday by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which

accused the bank of illegally avoiding the payment of more than

$2 billion in interest to consumers who held its flagship "high

interest" savings account.

In a complaint filed in the Alexandria, Virginia federal

court, the CFPB said Capital One promised account holders that

their 360 Savings accounts provided one of the nation's best

interest rates, but then froze the rate at a low level even as

interest rates were rising nationwide.