Stuck in a joint bank account forever?

atypicalblonde

Hi Everyone

I really hope someone can advise me on this. I have a sinking feeling that I already know what the answer will be but I know so many of you are extremely clued up on banking related matter, so I thought it would be worth asking.
A few years ago, my partner made the HUGE mistake of opening a joint account with his now ex-girlfriend. None of his money has ever gone into it-it was just her wages. They are now separated and she has literally dropped off the face of the earth - we have no idea how to contact her at all. A while ago, when we knew she was living at a certain address, we dropped the form through the door requesting her signature to agree to the removal of his name from the account. No such luck (which wasnt a huge surprise really). There is literally no way we can contact her to try and deal with this matter. We have written to the bank in question explaining everything fully and they have said that his name cannot be removed without her consent. I completely understand that they are jointly and severally liable for any money outstanding on the account (but we cannot check this, as we don't even have the account details - she made off with those!).

I understand that it would be easy to read this and think 'oh well, it is a lesson well learned', and believe me it certainly is for him. We are now looking to buy a house, but his ex has a HORRENDOUS credit score and as she is financially associated to him, I want to protect my good credit by not entering joint financial arrangements with him (he completely understands this). I suppose my question is this - is there absolutely any way around this matter to remove his name from the account? Like I said, I anticipate a lot of NO's so I wont be offended. Would just love to have this matter solved as its really getting us down.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance x

marcellep

I totally understand what you mean here and I feel sorry for you both to be in this mess. A few things that you could consider....

If your no longer wishing to use that account, go to the bank and hand back the card and cheque book and tell them you wish your name to be removed from the bank account. Now the bank will allow you to remove your name from the account. Explain to them the situation that your in with the dreaded X.

Now maybe think about opening a new bank account before you do the above. Getting your new account opened first will allow you to use the bank card and statements for ID to open a new one.

If your considering opening a new joint account, then have a look at citi

Go via https://www.quidco.com and search for Citi, open a current account and get £50.00 back too.

Hope that helps

vickitoria100

any other ideas? My OH is in a similar situation

thesaint

It would help if you posted which banks you are asking about. There are people on this forum that are staff members of a few different banks.

atypicalblonde

thanks for all of the responses so far. it is a wonderful comfort to come on here and know that there are friendly people who can help. The acccount in question is with the HSBC x

Yorkshire_lass_4-2_2

I was in a similar position some years ago with an ex who was using the joint bank account to fund his drinking and gambling. I asked the bank to stop allowing the overdrafts that he was requesting on the account, which they refused to do. Yet they confirmed that I was jointly responsible with him for paying them back!

So I closed the account, which I was allowed to do, and opened another at another bank which my salary could be paid into. He found out about it when his ATM card would not work.

vickitoria100

Interestingly, my OH's is HSBC too! Not the same situation as his ex hasn't disappeared off the face of the earth, just is reluctant to pay her half of a joint loan which used to (but has now finished) going out of it. Maybe you should try calling their bluff and say that you have sought independant advice which confirms that you are entitled to close the account in these circumstances - i presume there is no overdraft or anything still outstanding? Or... forge her signature?!!

s55shh

Ask for copy statements. There might be loads of money in there and if so, half of its his!

wiggly

I'm in the same situation

I have an old savings account with an ex, I have no way of contacting them, the bank putting a stop on the account doesn't seem to have made any difference

how can I stop it? its driving me nuts, he's my ex for a reason :mad: :mad:

please can someone help? its the halifax

atypicalblonde

Thanks everyone for your responses. As well as being extremely irritating, I think it is interesting to see that there are a lot of people in a similar position yet the policy of the banks seems to be 'tough!'. I dont understand how that can be. I am going to get OH to call the HSBC and check the current status of the account (he doesnt have a card or cheque book or anything for it- shows just how unconnected to it he is), and then when we have that exact information, think next how to proceed.

I was possibly considering emailing to ombudsmen about it to see what the exact law is on the matter, and whether or not the banks are entitled to exercise any discretion? Such a feeling of frustration, it seems to me that there MUST be a way round it? Wonder if we can email MSE Martin direct about this?:money: :rolleyes:

atypicalblonde

Yorkshire_lass wrote:

I was in a similar position some years ago with an ex who was using the joint bank account to fund his drinking and gambling. I asked the bank to stop allowing the overdrafts that he was requesting on the account, which they refused to do. Yet they confirmed that I was jointly responsible with him for paying them back!

So I closed the account, which I was allowed to do, and opened another at another bank which my salary could be paid into. He found out about it when his ATM card would not work.

Hi Yorkshire_lass, which bank was this with? The HSBC will only allow the account to be closed (and even just his name taken off it) if both signatories agree to it?

Any HSBC employees out there?