New Joint Account

stubbyd

The wife and I are starting on the fostering path, and have decided that a new joint account would be a good way forward for managing the money received as a part of that process.


What we don't want is yet more individual accounts but would like to have an ability similar to Starling with instant notification of spending and if possible, a means to set up our own tags. So as I have a Starling accoutn I asked... to get a new separate joint account my wife would first have to apply for a personal account. Then we could ask for a joint account, and then we could cancel her new and unwanted personal account.


All seems a a bit of a faff to me.


So before I go hunting (I will anyway) does anyone here have any suggestions as to a modern style bank that will allow us to apply for a joint account off the bat?

PRAISETHESUN

Would it be possible to add your wife as a joint account holder on your existing account them apply for a new sole account afterwards? Might be a bit less faff. Otherwise the approach you've described is still probably less effort that what other banks might ask you to do.

stubbyd

Unfortunately the way Starling works is you have to have individual accounts first.

But you are right it is likely to be less faff setting her up with one and then destroying the card so she doesn't use it.

colsten

stubbyd wrote: »

....and then we could cancel her new and unwanted personal account.

I don't believe you can close/cancel either of the two personal Starling accounts whilst still holding the joint account.

What is your issue with sole accounts? Neither one of you would have to actually use the sole accounts, but you could if you wanted to.

stubbyd wrote: »

....setting her up with one and then destroying the card so she doesn't use it.

Is the issue that your wife can't trust herself? Or is the issue that you don't want to allow your wife a sole account?


There are plenty of 'traditional' options for you if you insist that sole accounts must not be involved.

stubbyd

colsten wrote: »

There are plenty of 'traditional' options for you if you insist that sole accounts must not be involved.

For the record, I am not insisting anything.

I am simply looking for an account, like a Starling one, that allows a joint account from the get go. So any suggestions would be gratefully received.


EDIT: it was Starling themselves that said she can cancel the solo account after the joint is created.

colsten

stubbyd wrote: »

EDIT: it was Starling themselves that said she can cancel the solo account after the joint is created.

well the what's the issue? You still haven't said.

stubbyd

The issue is clearly stated in my first post - I (or more accurately, we) don't want the faff of opening a solo account just for the purpose of getting a joint account.


Do you have any suggestions of other banks that would allow this?

colsten

stubbyd wrote: »

The issue is clearly stated in my first post - I (or more accurately, we) don't want the faff of opening a solo account just for the purpose of getting a joint account.

opening a Starling account takes all of 5 minutes, if that, incl the download of the app. Then adding the joint account may be another 2. The debit card arrives within a couple of days.

If that's faff, I'd love to know what you call the account opening process of other banks.

stubbyd wrote: »

Do you have any suggestions of other banks that would allow this?

Yes. As already mentioned earlier.

stubbyd

colsten wrote: »

Yes. As already mentioned earlier.

So rather than questioning my/our motives, which, quite frankly are none of your business why don't you just share your suggestions?

xylophone

I can't think of a mainstream provider that wouldn't allow the opening of a joint account.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/current-accounts/joint-bank-accounts/

stubbyd

OK - thanks folks. I guess we will open up a Starling account, create the joint and then cancel the solo account.