How to withdraw money from the bank "passbook"

emf_

Hi,

Do I need ID to withdraw from an account with a bank passbook, or do I just need the book? I've never had this type of account before, but I have the passbook with a reasonable amount of money in but no clue how to use it!

Thanks all, I'm not from the UK or English as my first language!

opinions4u

Take ID with you as well as the passbook - ideally passport.

alanq

Depends on the financial institution. Some want to see ID for withdrawals in excess if a certain amount. Some may ask security questions - e.g. date of birth, where account was opened.

For small amounts the chances are no ID will be required but I advise taking everything you can lay your hands on just in case. Photo ID may be particularly helpful.

jonesMUFCforever

How did you manage to open account in first place? Would not an account with a cashpoint card be more appropriate?

innovate

Some good accounts don't come with the option of a card. E.g. the Flexclusive Reg Saver (6%) doesn't have a card, nor does the KRBS Monthly Saver (4%). I am sure there are others, mainly in Building Societies.

You might be able to transfer money to another account you hold with the same institution, and from there withdraw by Faster Payment or ATM. I think that's an option with the Flexclusive above, but it wouldn't work with KRBS.

Another option to get money back from a passbook-only account is to ask for a cheque to be sent to your home address. Some outfits require you to send the passbook with a letter to their head office to issue a cheque.

A lot of this appears a bit quaint to me, but I do recall a number of posts here where people actually asked for 'passbook only' accounts since they felt that was the only way they could actually save some money - perhaps building societies cater for this requirement.

emf_

I have to travel to London to get any proof of ID, my younger brother sent my passbook with the idea that no ID was needed! It's only going to be £75 for a week supply

elsien

The passbook will have your signature in the front cover which they will be able to see and check against your signature on the withdrawal slip. You can't see it but they can. Wouldn't hurt to take ID along just in case though, although we've never been asked for it.
At nationwide, you tell the cashier how much cash or cheque you want, they print a withdrawal slip, you sign the slip, and if the signature is ok you get the money. Very straightforward process. Sometimes there are limits as to how much you can withdraw, so they might say it had to be over £50 for example. That differs between banks so depends on who the account is with.
(We use passbooks for people who need support with finances and who don't have capacity to operate a current account. It's less open to fraud if there's no cheque book or cash card.)

opinions4u

You could try the radical approach of ringing the bank concerned.

agrinnall

I think you need to try to explain the circumstances a bit more. You say that your brother sent you the passbook, which raises the question of who opened and owns this account, you or your brother? If it was you then surely you must have been present when the passbook was issued (so why did your brother have it?) and I would expect the procedure for making withdrawals to have been explained at the time. If it was your brother, then I don't think you'll be able to make any withdrawals unless it's an account where a third party can be set up as a signatory.

Macca83_2

opinions4u wrote: »

You could try the radical approach of ringing the bank concerned.

You're thinking out the box there.

pmduk

Not all passbooks contain the signature. You should call/visit a branch of the organisation concerned to get a definitive answer.