Bank account in two names - how do you remove one name?

scottpa100

Hi everyone,

My brother has got a bank account and a number of years ago, as he was working abroad, my Mum was 'given?' permission to access his account. Fine, it worked great. My brother has been back in this country for a couple of years now and for whatever reason my Mum did not revoke / remove her name from my brother's bank account.

My brother has been running up debts and has proven incapable of managing his money. That is not why I'm writing here though. My Mum recently applied for a store card and was refused! Mum has no debt other than a mortgage, pays her bills on time, has credit cards but always pays them off on time. We understand that my Mum's credit worthiness may have been affected by the adverse management that my brother has done on his account and which is obviously attached with my Mum's name. My Mum is not that bothered about the store card but now has big reservations about any potential move Mum and Dad may do in the future when they are planning to downsize and obviously enquire about mortgages etc again.

My Mum has been down to the bank in question (Halifax) and they say that they can not remove her name unless the account has been in good order (credit) for 3 months. This is just not going to happen with my brother - no amount of pleading, shouting, screaming, sobbing is going to make any difference. We just need OUT! People get divorced with joint accounts, I'm assuming they can do it, how can my Mum?

Thanks for reading, and many thanks in advance in anticipation of your top tips!

CLAPTON

I'm afraid its pretty standard that they wont remove a name from or close an account unless the balance is zero or in credit.
Being joint holders mean that both parties are fully jointy and severally responsible for all the spending.

The best she can hope for is that the acccount is frozen so no further withdrawals can be made.

Also, unfortuntely the fact that your mother has a joint account with your brother means she is linked financially with him so it will show on her credit files so making it very difficult to get credit.

There is no easy answer but she should at least demand that the account is frozen for new debits but I'm afraid she is jointly responsible for the overdraft.

jonesMUFCforever

I think OP needs to clarify one thing.
First paragraph -''my Mum was 'given?' permission to access his account'' - which to me suggests a third party access rather than a joint account.

I might be wrong but if OP could clarify it may help with the advice.

As for Mum being declined it would be worth her while to invest £2 for a copy of credit report from Experian.

scottp_2

Not sure about halifax, but with the RBS as long as both parties sign to have the person removed (ie the one staying on, your brother, and the one being removed, your mum) then she should be able to be removed. Obviously if there is an overdraft outstanding your brother needs to sign to say he takes full responsiblilty for it.
Not sure how much he is overdrawn, but is it not worth just paying the overdraft off, have it removed and then take your mums name off the account. I know it will cost you to begin with but it may be worth it in the long run.

Thanks

Scott

amandathepanda

Is she a party on the account or does she just have signing authority as there is a difference.

jonesMUFCforever

amandathepanda wrote: »

Is she a party on the account or does she just have signing authority as there is a difference.

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