Best UK account to manage an elderly relative's finaces from abroad.

SeeDoubleOh

I have an elderly relative in care in the UK, I have lasting PoA set up. I need to be able to manage their finances via internet banking but their current bank, Nationwide has no access to internet banking for people living abroad who are not already members with their own account such as me.

There's no point me registering the PoA with Nationwide, since I won't be able to do much of anything from abroad and my relative would also the ability to do anything themselves.

Is there a better UK bank, that will allow access to internet banking, with a credit card or at least debit card for me from ouside the UK, but within the EU?

I've thought of setting up a new joint account, but have no idea of the legal/tax implications of having the holders in different countries.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

Grumpy_chap

SeeDoubleOh said:

I have an elderly relative in care in the UK, I have lasting PoA set up. I need to be able to manage their finances via internet banking but their current bank, Nationwide has no access to internet banking for people living abroad who are not already members with their own account such as me.

There's no point me registering the PoA with Nationwide, since I won't be able to do much of anything from abroad and my relative would also the ability to do anything themselves.

Is there a better UK bank, that will allow access to internet banking, with a credit card or at least debit card for me from ouside the UK, but within the EU?

I've thought of setting up a new joint account, but have no idea of the legal/tax implications of having the holders in different countries.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

I can't advise on an account that meets your needs.

I do, however, advise against the joint account route.

Keep_pedalling

I don’t think any bank that does not operate outside the UK will allow you to access the account as an attorney for the account holder, it just caused them too much aggro. 

Nat west seem to allow it though.

https://www.natwest.com/support-centre/general-banking-information/general/how-can-i-register-a-power-of-attorney-poa-with-you-if-i-live-overseas.html

p00hsticks

Grumpy_chap said:

SeeDoubleOh said:

I have an elderly relative in care in the UK, I have lasting PoA set up. I need to be able to manage their finances via internet banking but their current bank, Nationwide has no access to internet banking for people living abroad who are not already members with their own account such as me.

There's no point me registering the PoA with Nationwide, since I won't be able to do much of anything from abroad and my relative would also the ability to do anything themselves.

Is there a better UK bank, that will allow access to internet banking, with a credit card or at least debit card for me from ouside the UK, but within the EU?

I've thought of setting up a new joint account, but have no idea of the legal/tax implications of having the holders in different countries.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

I can't advise on an account that meets your needs.

I do, however, advise against the joint account route.

I'd second this, regardless of where you both live. Assuming that all the funds would be coming from your relative, then a joint account would be effectively giving half the money to you, which would be contrary to the PoA 

Mands

SeeDoubleOh said:

I have an elderly relative in care in the UK, I have lasting PoA set up. I need to be able to manage their finances via internet banking but their current bank, Nationwide has no access to internet banking for people living abroad who are not already members with their own account such as me.

There's no point me registering the PoA with Nationwide, since I won't be able to do much of anything from abroad and my relative would also the ability to do anything themselves.

Is there a better UK bank, that will allow access to internet banking, with a credit card or at least debit card for me from ouside the UK, but within the EU?

I've thought of setting up a new joint account, but have no idea of the legal/tax implications of having the holders in different countries.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

I hold an LPA for my relative. She had a longstanding account with HSBC in uk, despite living in another EU country for 20 years. I live in the same EU country. 

I was able to invoke the LPA and get access to her HSBC accounts. 

Caveats: it took months, and considerable angst to arrange* and it was for an existing account. I have doubts they would set up new accounts. 

* including a demand that I present my ID docs in person in a branch despite knowing there wasn't a branch in the country I live in