old joint account

darbo23

Hi, I have been trying unsuccessfully to register my RBS Current Account for digital banking, but it appears I am not allowed to as I still have an old joint account also with the RBS. This account hasn't been touched in over 15 yrs and has a nil balance. It is in joint names with an ex-ptnr that I also havent seen in over 15yrs and haven't the foggiest where he is to get his signature to close the account. The Bank also wont let me remove my name from the account without said signature. The old account is in my maiden name and my Current Account is in my married name. Have you any suggestions as to what I can do to either get this old account closed down or how to get my Current Account enabled for on line banking. Would I be better changing banks??:(

~Beanie~

If this joint account really hasn't been touched in 15 years, then I am very surprised that it hasn't already been closed as a 'dormant' account.

Can you close it with one signature? Have you spoken to RBS and advise that you have no idea where your ex is and asked for their suggestion?

InsideInsurance

If this account still exists you are probably still financially linked to your ex and thus it is probably best to sort it out. I didnt sort mine out and resulted in a whole host of pain when my ex defaulted on a credit arrangements that were soley in her name but they froze all my sole accounts due to the old joint account still existing.

I cannot believe that RBS doesnt have some mechanism for dealing with gone away partners even if it involves using last known address and waiting a period of time before acting.

nwc389

It still needs dealing with as a joint account links you with the other party.
Do you get correspondence for the account ? If not it may be that the account is now marked as dormant for returned post and this is why you cannot get online.
Take some id into your local branch and make sure you have your marriage certificate, they should be able to update your records and then you can close the account down .
If you get no joy at first please persist because if its just sat there with a nil balance then you should be able to close it but they may need to get a manager to authorise.

darbo23

Thanks for your replies. Once every 12 mnths I get a Bank Statement for this account. I am constantly asking the bank how I can get it closed or my name taken off it but all they say is I need both signatures, which is pretty impossible since I have no contact with ex.

opinions4u

I cannot believe that RBS doesnt have some mechanism for dealing with gone away partners even if it involves using last known address and waiting a period of time before acting.

Either partner can choose to freeze the account, to ensure the other doesn't build up debt on the back of it.

I think it's bonkers that they can't reset the OP's internet banking arrangements.

But they can't simply chuck the other party of an account without that party's agreement.