Access to Father's bank account

la531983

Section62 said:

la531983 said:

May be prudent to set up that anyway if he can, cheques are hardly access to instant funds lest we forget.

Depending on the bank it is deposited with, cheques can be cleared in less than 24 hours these days.

My 'record' so far has been depositing a cheque in a Santander branch and having the money available as cleared funds by the time I got home.

Unfortunately some outdated views on cheques as a method of payment seem to persist.

24 hours isnt instant regardless. A bank transfer these days is generally across in seconds if not held for checks. Depends how quickly the OP will need funds going forward, and no guarantee a cheque will be cleared in minutes like you seemingly had once!

lisyloo

I would suggest just doing it, but keep records in a spreadsheet or notebook to cover your back.
No-one is going to sue you (and probably wouldn't be successful) if you aren't making a financial gain.
There is no intention to deprive.

I do charity auctions and I keep a record of everything both so I can be sure I don't make a mistake but also it's proof if anyone ever wants to question it.

sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

retiredbanker1

A cheque here MAY not be the answer.

If for example the CO-OP do not have an up to date signature for the father and say it is a bit shaky with him being in hospital, then any cheque might be returned by the bank.
They MAY telephone their customer to ask for verification about any cheques but in my opinion this is a very much a hit and miss.

If the amounts are fairly low then giving the PIN and card to the son might be the best idea.
Our local hospital has an ATM - might this be another option?

sheramber

 Can you pay and keep receipts and your father pay you back when he is able?

xylophone

Are you able to finance whatever is required yourself?

Keep all receipts and bill father once he has a cheque book or can repay as best suits the circumstances?

Section62

retiredbanker1 said:

A cheque here MAY not be the answer.

If for example the CO-OP do not have an up to date signature for the father and say it is a bit shaky with him being in hospital, then any cheque might be returned by the bank.
They MAY telephone their customer to ask for verification about any cheques but in my opinion this is a very much a hit and miss.

Do any of the banks still have a manual process for verifying signatures before paying?  AIUI the new process was automated, unless the person on whose account the cheque is drawn informs their bank of an error/fraud, in which case checks would be made.

retiredbanker1 said:

If the amounts are fairly low then giving the PIN and card to the son might be the best idea.

The amount doesn't matter much.  If it is against T&C's to give someone else your PIN then it is against T&C's whether for £1 or £1000.

Although it is one solution to the OP's situation, I'm not sure it is a good advice to describe it as the "best idea".  The OP's dad needs to be aware that a breach of the account T&C's could result in their account being closed.

retiredbanker1

Section62 said:

retiredbanker1 said:

A cheque here MAY not be the answer.

If for example the CO-OP do not have an up to date signature for the father and say it is a bit shaky with him being in hospital, then any cheque might be returned by the bank.
They MAY telephone their customer to ask for verification about any cheques but in my opinion this is a very much a hit and miss.

Do any of the banks still have a manual process for verifying signatures before paying?  AIUI the new process was automated, unless the person on whose account the cheque is drawn informs their bank of an error/fraud, in which case checks would be made.

retiredbanker1 said:

If the amounts are fairly low then giving the PIN and card to the son might be the best idea.

The amount doesn't matter much.  If it is against T&C's to give someone else your PIN then it is against T&C's whether for £1 or £1000.

Although it is one solution to the OP's situation, I'm not sure it is a good advice to describe it as the "best idea".  The OP's dad needs to be aware that a breach of the account T&C's could result in their account being closed.

They do have a process of checking signatures on cheques over £1000. This would be from a scanned image of the cheque - making it more difficult IMO to decide if the cheque signature is genuine or not.

35har1old

retiredbanker1 said:

Section62 said:

retiredbanker1 said:

A cheque here MAY not be the answer.

If for example the CO-OP do not have an up to date signature for the father and say it is a bit shaky with him being in hospital, then any cheque might be returned by the bank.
They MAY telephone their customer to ask for verification about any cheques but in my opinion this is a very much a hit and miss.

Do any of the banks still have a manual process for verifying signatures before paying?  AIUI the new process was automated, unless the person on whose account the cheque is drawn informs their bank of an error/fraud, in which case checks would be made.

retiredbanker1 said:

If the amounts are fairly low then giving the PIN and card to the son might be the best idea.

The amount doesn't matter much.  If it is against T&C's to give someone else your PIN then it is against T&C's whether for £1 or £1000.

Although it is one solution to the OP's situation, I'm not sure it is a good advice to describe it as the "best idea".  The OP's dad needs to be aware that a breach of the account T&C's could result in their account being closed.

They do have a process of checking signatures on cheques over £1000. This would be from a scanned image of the cheque - making it more difficult IMO to decide if the cheque signature is genuine or not.

Calling banks these days can be  time consuming and for somebody that is hospital not a great idea if you have not registered for telephone banking as to the number of questions asked may not be answered easily from a hospital bed.
The only legal way is a power of attorney which isnt that easy to setup
LPA can take upto 20 weeks best completed online  and paid  for
Just had a look at CO OP bank what you can do by phone no mention of external transfers
It's online or app transfers

Keep_pedalling

However you sort this he should still make a financial LPA as a longer term solution and it may be crucial if he has long term medieval issues in the future. Having to apply for deputyship is really something that should be avoided if at all possible.

[Deleted User]

I’m sorry but I can’t really see the issue here. Surely you and your father trust each other. While you set up some of the other arrangements suggested here why not do as he suggests. Just keep the receipts from the ATM. I’m sure that’s what many others do.