Joint current account

sarlyka

Like many couples, we have a joint account to pay the mortgage, bills etc. Bank statement for this account are addressed to both of us, with my partner's name first.
Last year, the account went into overdraft and the bank sent a letter addressed to me only to explain this. I complained and asked them why the letter was only addressed to me. They said it was up to the person sending the letter to decide how to address it.
This happened again when I was away for a couple of months earlier this year. My partner did not open my letters and therefore did not know about the lack of money in our account. Okay, I appreciate that we need to keep a check on our finances but, more annoyingly, my partner is the main wage earner and he is the one who transfers money into this account. I have very little to do with it.
Do you think it's reasonable for banks to send such letters to only one holder of a joint account? Has anyone else experienced this problem?

anamenottaken

Related but not the same -

I have one joint account - with RBS. Yesterday we each received a letter from them which suggested that as from 14 November they would have to tell both parties to the account if a request was made to increase the agreed overdraft but then want on to say that if we did not respond to the letters we have just received by saying that RBS should contact the other person in such an instance, they would not do so and therefore overdrafts could be requested by just one party. Seemed very odd to me, working on the basis that inaction means agreement to them not following new rules! Probably misunderstood what they have written - have a headcold which may be affecting my intellect!

missile

That seems very strange. Which bank are you with?

We also have a joint account and all communication comes addressed to Mr X and Mrs X.

I would write to your bank and ask them to address all communications as above. I would ask them to waive any charges which you have incurred as a result of their "error". If they refused I would switch to a.n.other bank. This is very easy to do, but may not be convenient if your mortgage is with your present banK?

I would never open any mail addressed to my OH :A

sarlyka

We're with Barclays. I have written to them a number of times and they just tell me that it's up to the person sending the letter to choose how they address it. I took my complaint to the FOS and, at present, they seem to be agreeing with Barclays and think it's entirely reasonable to do this.
Like you, I would never open post addressed to my OH.
I've found Terms and Conditions for Barclays Joint Accounts which state:
2.2 We will normally contact only the joint account
holder named first in our records subject to
any legal requirements or unless you request
otherwise.
This is for March 2003. Does anyone know if their T&C have changed regarding this point?
I could understand it if the letters were addressed to my OH as his name appears first on all other correspondence. Can't understand this though.

missile

asteroids_sara wrote: »

We're with Barclays..

I doubt you will get Barclays to change their procedure and I don't think FOS can force them to.

I would suggest you vote with your feet and switch.

An alternative might be to open another account with Barclclays in OHs name and arrange for all bills to come from this account. With OH's agreement you could still access this account via online banking.

missile

asteroids_sara wrote: »

Does anyone know if their T&C have changed regarding this point?.

You can access Barclays current T&Cs online.

sarlyka

Thanks to both messages. I have searched online but can't find any more up-to-date reference to joint accounts.

CLAPTON

with online banking so that both joint holders can easily access the account, what ever is the problem

if you find it too difficult to manage a joint account even with online banking then surely the answer is to close it

Old_Git

We have a joint account at Santander .
We have two different addresses .I didnt want a bank statement sent to me I wanted on line banking only .They insisted it had to be sent to both parties . I said what about saving the planet and all that stuff ,they said we had to have paper statements .
So the statements arrive addressed
Mr Old Git & Mr Old Git to my address
second statement at different address says
Mr Old Git & Mrs Old Git

missile

asteroids_sara wrote: »

Thanks to both messages. I have searched online but can't find any more up-to-date reference to joint accounts.

If you have trouble finding T&Cs on the Barclays website, ask them to send you a new paper copy.
You could set up text alerts, this would advisa you should this problem occuring in the future, FYI>

1. A fee of up to £2 a month may be charged depending on the alerts you opt to receive and the type of account on which you wish to be alerted, please see our Service Charges for more.

PS: Do you know how to use the thanks button?

sarlyka

Finally found Barclays latest T&C regarding joint accounts. They state that they will contact the first person listed on their records.
When we first opened the account, statements were sent to my OH only and we had to ask for the statements to be addressed to both of us. Would I be right in thinking that OH is therefore the first person listed on their records?