Closing joint account

lynnsey30

Spoken to hsbc today about getting my ex husbands name off the joint account and been told both have to go into branch. Problem is we have no contact at all not even sure where he is at this point. Is there any other way to do this as hsbc just kept saying both need to go and round in circles the conversation went. Can't do a current account switch as can't go from joint to sole account  Thanks in advance

eskbanker

Many banks require both holders to consent to closure (he could also be asking them to remove you from it), so if that's required under their Ts & Cs for that account but isn't viable then your only option is likely to be to flag it as disputed, to freeze it and prevent it from going overdrawn.

Edit: as below, looks like the Ts & Cs do permit unilateral closure if zeroed, so that's likely to be a better option to make a clean break....

noh

HSBCs T&Cs state, page 9 of
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/content/dam/hsbc/gb/pdf/personal-banking-terms-conditions-14-mar-2020.pdf
"5. Joint accounts
Any joint account holder can use the account. They can get information about the account and ask us to make or stop payments. They can also apply for an arranged overdraft, and close the account and have the money in it paid to them. If we agree to provide an overdraft, you’ll each be responsible for repaying it. If one of you tells us there’s a dispute between you, all of you must agree to what is done on the account. But if there’s no money in the account and no overdraft, any one of you can ask us to close it. If all of the account holders agree, we can convert an account from joint names to a sole name. You can also change a sole account to a joint one (unless it has previously been joint). If you do this, the new account holder(s) can see all the account information. This includes from when it was a sole account"

You cannot remove a joint account holder from the account without their permission.
But, as long as the account is not formally in dispute, what you can do is bring the account to zero balance either by withdrawing all the balance or or repaying any overdraft. Then close it without the permission of the other account holder.
Therefore open a new account in your sole name transfer the balance from the joint account to your new sole account then close the joint account.

Zanderman

As eskbanker says, you'll probably have to get it frozen until sorted out. 
Withdrawing any money you need beforehand, obviously, and transferring any direct debits, standing orders etc to another account. 
If you don't have another account already open one asap.

colsten

Zanderman said:

As eskbanker says, you'll probably have to get it frozen until sorted out. 
Withdrawing any money you need beforehand, obviously, and transferring any direct debits, standing orders etc to another account. 
If you don't have another account already open one asap.

No, don't freeze the account. As long as the account still exists, the financial connection on your credit files will continue to exist. Presumably you don't want this to continue.

Do what @noh suggested. If HSBC do not play ball, remind them of their T&Cs, using their formal complaints process.

lynnsey30

Thanks everyone interesting that its in their terms that I can close it down. Will ring them again and see if I get any more joy there is no overdraft on the account but was missold a managed loan back in 2003 which I'm still paying off so not sure if that would impact it? Thanks again 

Thrugelmir

Open a sole account and manually transfer the outgoing payments. Then close the joint account.