Just found my old National Savings Bank Book.... 13 July 2005 at 5:00PM in Savings & investments 10 replies 41.1K views

ferry

Hi all
During a clearout earlier I came across my old National Savings Bank (Post Office) account book which has a balance of £22-last transaction was a withdrawal in 1995!!My first bank account!
Just a quick thought-Is National Savings still going?,can I withdraw this somewhere-or is this now a pointless document to have...Just throw it away??

Cheers
Terry

esalan

You could send it to me ---- but you'd be much better off taking it to a post office and telling them you want to transfer the full amount and close the account. They will give you a simple form and envelope to post off and you should get a cheque (worth more than £22) within 30 days.

Did this recently with a book dating back to 1986!

ReportInvestor

There is £15 billion of such money lying around

The government wants to "relieve" banks and building societies of dormant account money for "charitable purposes".

But they do not propose the same process at the government owned National Savings .

Let us know how much interest you are credited with! (NS rates are not renowned for their generosity.)

ferry

Thanks guys.
I'll get it all sent off as suggested and I'll post back how much they sent me!!

Thanks a lot
Terry

helen21_2

Hi

I have a bank account that is 22 years old and is in a joint named account with an old boyfriend, who i havn't seen for 22 years Any ideas how i can close this account?

Sorry about stealing Op's thread but didn't think it worth starting a new one when such a similiar question

Thanks In Advance

helen21

ReportInvestor

Intriguing! This scenario has not been raised in the issue of "dormant accounts" that the government wants to get its grubby paws on.

If it is a joint account but only requires a sole signature you can go ahead on your own (subject to your conscience).

Otherwise I think it may be happy reunion :rolleyes: or forget the money because the government needs the dosh.

I'll make some enquiries about this, however.

It's not an account with Halifax, Leeds, Woolwich, Alliance & Leicester, National & Provincial, Abbey National, Cheltenham & Gloucester, Bradford & Bingley, Northern Rock or Bristol & West is it? Then you could be celebrating big time with a windfall, as long as you are first named on the account.

helen21_2

ReportInvestor wrote:

Intriguing! This scenario has not been raised in the issue of "dormant accounts" that the government wants to get its grubby paws on.

If it is a joint account but only requires a sole signature you can go ahead on your own (subject to your conscience).

Otherwise I think it may be happy reunion :rolleyes: or forget the money because the government needs the dosh.

I'll make some enquiries about this, however.

Thanks for your reply

It is an account that needs both signatures, i have no book but do have the account number

Bleeding typical No it's with nationwide

helen21

ReportInvestor

Bad luck :rotfl: Isn't life unfair?

If the sum of money involved is quite small it may all be too much trouble.

You may have to get your former boyfriend to write to Nationwide giving authorisation for you to close the account. Unfortunately he will probably have to provide proof of his changed address and some ID [as will you] in the current climate surrounding money laundering.

If it was the other way round and he was chasing you up and you had married & changed your name it could be even more tricky :eek:.

Obviously your course of action will depend on the sum of money involved, your judgement of the relationship issue and whether you can even track down your former boyfriend!

helen21_2

Firstly i aint got a clue what's in the account.
Secondly he was from newcastle, and headed off back there after we split.
So would not have a clue how to trace him and to be honest after twenty odd years not sure i would want to

But thank you so much for spending the time to give me your advice, it is very much appreciated.

helen21

ReportInvestor

You could find out what's in the account on your own. But you would need to go to a Nationwide branch with ID and proof of address. In order to avoid wasting time I would 'phone them up beforehand to see if it can be done on the spot.

The account could still be useful, though, if you don't cash it in. If you are not a Nationwide member by any other means then it gives you the three year membership qualification to entitle you to their regular special offers for loyal members.

helen21_2

Thanks reportinvestor

Me and the children have held accounts with them for years, Oh well you never know if i live till im 3000 years old i might just be worth summat

helen21