Access To Father's Accounts with LPOA

WeeMann

I think my issue may be a rare one, but I can't believe I'll be alone.

A couple of years ago we lost my Mum. She dealt with all the home finances, so I agreed to take over for my Dad and take that stress off him. We had a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, so it was all easy enough to set up.

He has a savings and current account with Halifax which I have access to and use to manage his main finances.

He also has an account with Lloyds which he uses for his personal finances (for example, he enjoys betting on the horses).

I have no need to access the Lloyds account and he wants (quite rightly) a little privacy.

When we first set this up, the Lloyds account became visible in my online account. I called them and it was removed.

A few weeks ago, however, it showed up again. My Dad and I have both contacted the bank, but are being told that they have decided all accounts held with their group will now show up in the app / online account, regardless of whether or not the customer wants this. We can adjust settings so it doesn't show up in his Halifax app, but that completely misses the point.

In fact, when my Dad went in to the bank to discuss it, he was told that he should take his account elsewhere if he didn't want me to have access to it!

I cannot believe in this day and age, that one account from a different bank (albeit within the same group) cannot be removed from my account.

Has anyone else come across a similar issue and, if so, how did you get it resolved?

flaneurs_lobster

Might be easiest to just do as they suggest and open another account outside the LBG set.

Sounds like changing the granularity at which a LPOA gives you access to an individual's accounts at LBG would be a not insignificant change to their systems at no benefit (to themselves).

WeeMann

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81878656#Comment_81878656

We'd rather not do that if we can avoid it, as he has banked with them for several decades, although I'm starting to think it's our only option.

Having said that, they've programmed the app to allow it, so why not the online portal?

Zanderman

I doubt you'll get anywhere with asking them to change how their systems work.

So you'll either have to live with it, or change bank.

I'm a little surprised you and your dad are so bothered by it, surely you only see (on the opening screens) the balance of the account you don't want to use, you'll only see transactions (which are the main 'private' element) if you open the details. You can agree not to do that. You obviously trust each other (as you have LPA).

flaneurs_lobster

Having said that, they've programmed the app to allow it, so why not the online portal?

I've no way of testing it but I suspect what the app is doing is restricting the accounts that are displayed, not actually restricting access to the underlying accounts. You could restore the view and access if you wished - which you don't - which is rather the point.

Does your father use the Lloyds app for banking or just online? If the former then one of the app-only banks like Chase, Starling, Zopa or Monzo might suit (if he has photo-id for the application).

Otherwise pick a name from your local high street (if you are lucky enough to still have branches).

Brie

This sounds like one of the things that banks think are a good idea except in very specific circumstances.

I know that one bank in particular I used to work for used to have this thing about you couldn't turn off non pin transactions. But the bank itself could turn these off if they suspected the account holder was being naughty and saying that they had been scammed too many times. So while their T&Cs said no their procedures said yes. Of course after a while many banks decided that if people wanted non pin transactions turned off then it should be allowed.

So at some point I bet that not having all accounts shown on an app will be allowed. In the meantime it's just a matter of trying to find out under what circumstances this might be done now. Until then perhaps you can just have a gentleman's agreement that you won't peek.

MEM62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81878662#Comment_81878662

No reason not to. It makes no difference whatsoever how long you have been with a bank. If one institution does not meet your needs, go to another.

p00hsticks

I've noticed similar in recent weeks - I have PoA for my mother and manage her finances - she banks with Lloyds. Recently when I've logged on the first thing that's come up is my Halifax account. It gave me a shock at first but have got used to it and just bypass it.

born_again

TBH. The Op situation is kind of abusing LPOA. As with LPOA you are saying that the person does not have the capacity to run their accounts.

Yet they would prefer to have one that the person with LPOA should not be seeing.

Barkin

---X---

TBH. The Op situation is kind of abusing LPOA. As with LPOA you are saying that the person does not have the capacity to run their accounts.

---X---

Not really.

While a Health & Welfare POA can only be used when the donor loses capacity, that's not the case with a financial POA

WeeMann

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81878965#Comment_81878965

Not so -

Property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney

Use this LPA to give an attorney the power to make decisions about money and property for you, for example:

• managing a bank or building society account
• paying bills
• collecting benefits or a pension
• selling your home

It can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission.

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney