Closing a co-op bank account

eyeinthesky

Hi All, my wife had a current account with co-operative bank for many years, and I persuaded her to switch to Lloyds bank, at the time when co-operative bank was in the news for massive losses. We don't have a co-op bank near us, so that was another reason to switch.
My wife became very ill in January this year, and went into hospital on 15 January. . She had been receiving bank statements from co-op bank, but when she asked them to close the account, they said it was Lloyds bank's mistake, and they would have to rectify it.
My wife was discharged from hospital, with continuing care at home, on 29 February, and she had received a statement in February from co-op bank, so I phoned them asking for the account to be closed. I explained to them that my wife was very ill, and could not speak on the phone to go through their security checks, but they said they could not close the account unless my wife would speak to them. I was a little frustrated, and slammed the phone down.
My dear wife sadly died yesterday morning, so I have been keeping busy with informing people, etc. I phoned co-operative bank this morning, and explained what had happened, and they tried to contact their "probate line". They couldn't get a reply, so said they wouldn't be able to close the account today, and I would have to phone again next week. This account has stood empty for more than a year, with no activity at all, why do they make things so difficult?

Harveys_2

I am sorry for your loss. Stay strong brother...

diamonds

Hi eyeinthesky,



So sorry for your loss, deepest regards.



Without a Power Of Attorney or a GP/specialist letter most accounts of any kind will not action any activities by a unauthorised person, the days of where a husband could action anything on his wifes (and now partner) account where it is a solo account are over unless consent on a call by call basis after security or pre-existing authorisation by the other half, in part due to the Data Protection Act.



When you receive a death certificate (sorry to have to say that today of all days, the day after) send the bank and anywhere else a copy.


My thoughts are with you,




Diamonds.

zaax

Sorry to hear of her death. You dont need to go any further until you have probate.
https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview

diamonds

zaax wrote: »

Sorry to hear of her death. You dont need to go any further until you have probate.
https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview

As a surviving spouse the OP has more leeway.


But thanks for posting the link, parts of it may help the OP and any future people reading this thread.