Why can't I remove my name from a joint account?

Dobbibill

I found this information here in their Personal Banking terms & conditions

12. Joint customers
12.1 If two or more of you are party to this agreement,
the!following terms apply:
(a) Any of you can give us instructions
independently of the others on your joint
accounts. This means anyone of you can, for
example, withdraw all or any money on an
account without the knowledge of the others,
close an account or end a service

further on it says........

(h) If we open an account for you jointly and you
later wish to take someone off, add another
person to the account or authorise someone
else to operate the account, you must all apply
to do so.
(i) If we become aware of a dispute between you,
we may take steps to prevent any of you giving
instructions or using the account individually
until the dispute is ended.

so I would write to them asking to close the account. If you disclose or request a dispute it will take longer. If the account is not overdrawn there should be no reason they won't do it.

2520years

That's great work Dobbibill!

It does seem a bit contradictory, but a carefully worded letter might work if I quote the first part and explain the potential for problems.

I don't think their rules can cover every situation, so they surely have to be flexible.

Thanks very much ��

Dobbibill

try something along the lines of
'RE - sort code xx xx account number xxxx - please close the above mentioned account. the account is no longer used nor required - regards' THE END

DrSyn

Does the bank know the two of you are divorced and that she is a bankrupt?

I thought that bankrupts could not hold bank accounts. Might be worth your while finding out if that includes a joint account as well.

Might be worth telling them any way.

If their own "Personal Banking terms & conditions" suggest you can close an account or end a service and they ignore them you could get the banking ombudsman involved.

If all else fails, you could try writing to BBC's Money Box program or to the Daily Mail of course. What would you have to lose!

[Deleted User]

Bankrupts can hold the account, particularly where there is no debt to the bank (i.e. it wasn't overdrawn at Bankruptcy date). Therefore TSB, even if informed about the BR status, may well say they don't care.... she can keep the account. I've still got my TSB account from pre-BR.

I think the advise about about writing a letter asking for it to be closed as it is no longer required, and just sign it in your sole name, is enough.

If they come back and say no, then you can formally put the account into dispute under the other provisions, and raise a complaint too.

Are you 100% sure it's zero balance.... usually they can't wait to get rid of inactive customers! Seems suspicious they won't just close it.

The ultimate liability for genuine fraud (via internet/mail order etc) on any account lies with them, as does the continuing credit risk of either of you racking up a debt when you're clearly not making them any money (as it's unused), plus it saves them £20+ a year in maintenance of the CRA feed, sending out cards etc etc.

2520years

I rang them when the annual statement came, so they know she's bankrupt. Also, yes it's definitely been at £0 for years.
Thanks for all your help. I'll write them a letter.

2520years

Update - I simply wrote to ask them to close the account ad it had been out of use for years and they closed it.

Why couldn't the lady on the phone have done that?!

chambta

2520years wrote: »

Update - I simply wrote to ask them to close the account ad it had been out of use for years and they closed it.

Why couldn't the lady on the phone have done that?!

Probably needed a signature from one of you. Doesn't excuse being incorrectly told both needed to agree to it as rarely will any T&Cs expressly say this is the case.

KJSmith

2520years wrote: »

Update - I simply wrote to ask them to close the account ad it had been out of use for years and they closed it.

Why couldn't the lady on the phone have done that?!

2 possible reasons come to mind.

You would need to be registered with a Telephone Banking Security Number to close accounts over the phone.

You may have given the impression that there were disagreements between you and your ex-wife about the account to the lady on the phone. Therefore she suggested that TSB would need the same instruction from both of you.

GingerFurball_2

You can't close accounts over the phone with TSB. I tried to close my easy saver after my monthly saver matured and was told I'd need to go into a branch or put my request in writing.