Dealing with bank on behalf of relative....Barclays?

barbiedoll

Evening all

My 92 year old aunt is of sound mind but unfortunately not of body. She has an account with Barclays and she would like to move some money around but she is no longer able to visit a branch.

Is there a way that she can nominate someone (probably me or my mum), to have access to her account without her actually going to a branch? She says that she doesn't have a cashpoint card so I'm assuming that it is a savings account. I'm seeing her next weekend so I will have a clearer idea of what sort of account she has. She is more than capable of speaking on the phone but she has not had much luck with the call centre, they keep speaking about POA, which she doesn't need, she is perfectly capable of managing her affairs, she just isn't mobile any longer.

We're not talking about withdrawing thousands, just a couple of hundred pounds occasionally, usually to pay a bill or for a purchase.

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks!

innovate

Some banks allow "internal" POAs, i.e. not the full-blown legal one, just one that authorises a person to conduct banking transactions on behalf of the account holder. I think Lloyds might be one of them, not sure what Barclays position is - looks like the full-blown one only http://ask.barclays.co.uk/help/day2day_banking/powerofattorney

Not very helpful, I know...best might be if your aunt considers a full-blown POA, which allows you to help her on this as well as other matters should the need arise. Though it does take some time to put it in place.

grumbler

Changing the account into to a joint one can be an alternative to POA - if there are no problems with her credit history that can affect the other party.

innovate

PasturesNew wrote: »

Barclays made me jump through hoops, with two visits necessary, even though I [a] Had full/official POA Lived at the same address as the person [c] Had 2 bank accounts at the same branch also registered to the same address as the person/account.

Don't you just wish jobsworths like the ones you encountered evaporate in a puff of smoke?

innovate

grumbler wrote: »

Changing the account into to a joint one can be an alternative to POA - if there are no problems with her credit history that can affect the other party.

Problem might be that they will only do this if the account holder appears in Branch in person

Crystallady

Barclays used to do a third party mandate which gives a nominated person the ability to operate a customer's account, however the customer used to have to call into the bank to set it up.
Depending on where you are and the size of the branch maybe a member of staff would call out to your aunt, as she's housebound, to get it sorted. I'd call at her branch and ask.

dalesrider

If she can manage telephone banking then let her transfer funds to someone who can get her cash. Bills can be paid via faster payments.
Does she have internet access for online banking?

Personally from what you say. Then if she calls and transfers funds to someone else and they can action the purchase/bill.

Or simply set up a joint acc and let her move money to that when required.

grumbler

innovate wrote: »

Problem might be that they will only do this if the account holder appears in Branch in person

Maybe. However, I have several joint accounts opened online. Why does it have to be different for an existing account and can't be resolved over a phone? In the worst case scenario it can be a new joint account.

innovate

grumbler wrote: »

Maybe. However, I have several joint accounts opened online. Why does it have to be different for an existing account and can't be resolved over a phone? In the worst case scenario it can be a new joint account.

Setting up a new account is profoundly different from adding someone to an existing account, or transferring an existing account. The big difference being the balance. Banks have a duty to the account holder to protect their balances. But I am sure you know that:cool:

grumbler

I have to agree - you are probably right.
However, I still don't see how in terms of 'duty' changing the account to a joint one is different from opening a new joint account and transferring the balance to it. The latter (opening and transferring) can normally be done over a phone.

auntymabel

I had similar problem with Barclays. I was told by spmeone at the call centre that if he should write a letter asking for a third party mandate for me to take into the branch. When I took the letter in I was told it couldn't be done and I would have to take him into the branch in person. I said to the counter clerk that I could take anyone in and say it was him and she shrugged and agreed. Fortunately he has a PayPal account so he transfers money into that then transfers it from there to my account so I can withdraw the cash.