Joint bank accounts that don't address letters only to the man...

[Thecazelets]

Can't think where else to post this for advice, but can anyone recommend a bank that will address letters to both joint account holders? DH and I have both held individual First Direct bank accounts for over 20 years, and we also have a shared joint account in both our names for household expenses. They insist on sending all correspondence on the joint account ( and new bank cards) only to DH. His name is after mine in the alphabet and on the cheque books, so it's not a 'computer says no' situation. He never even uses the account as I'm the one who organises all our bill payments etc. Recently they even sent a cheque back to him which was made out to my name and paid in by me to the account.

It's really getting me down, and I have complained to no avail. I've only asked them to put both our names on letters etc so that I can at least legally open post about our shared money, but they've refused. The letter I got back was distinctly sneery and implied I was making a fuss about nothing, but surely this leaves the non-addressed partner open to financial abuse?

So - can anyone recommend a bank that doesn't do this? All I want is a bank that'll put both of our names on correspondence. I don't need a separate statement, or my bank card arriving in a separate envelope, just an acknowledgement that it's my money too...

[Palavah]

Starling might?

[DPotter]

I have a joint account with DP with Barclays and we get separate letters and emails sent to us.

[Thecazelets]

Thanks - I'll take a look. Open to all suggestions really. When I opened the account First Direct was the 'modern' bank but that seems a really long time ago now.

[BuffySummersReportingforSanity]

Also Barclays and they send us two separately addressed copies of everything.

[Lockdownbear]

Our First Direct account addresses us both and sends two copies of statements in the same envelope.

You might want to ask they bank why they do what they do.

[Findahouse21]

Our Halifax account sends a letter addressed to us both

[Jenala]

Our Santander joint account statements are addressed to both of us.

[Thecazelets]

I have asked why they do it repeatedly, and complained about it informally and formally.

The bank cards for the account are sent together in one envelope addressed only to DH, with 'Dear DH, here are yours and The Cazalet's new cards'. So if he was the type to financially abuse ( thankfully he's not) I might never get mine.

It's a joint check account, not a credit card account with a main and supplementary card holders, so I simply can't understand it.

[l00pylulu]

I used to work for Nationwide and had a very upset customer because we had addressed her statement to Mrs and Mr name, as that was incorrect grammar! I explained that it was because she was the first named account. It does seem very strange that all post is addressed to him, even your cards. Do they have you set up to receive correspondence?

[Thecazelets]

I'll look at all those, thanks. Actually our mortgage is with Santander and they seem to have no problem with the concept of addressing our correspondence to both of us.

[StCharlotte]

How odd.

Our Lloyds joint account is addressed to both of us. As was our Woolwich/Barclays mortgage.

[Thecazelets]

Thanks I00pylulu - I suppose that might be the reason but if it's a computer glitch/unticked correspondence box somewhere they've had ample opportunity to explore and fix it given the number of times I've complained!

[LadyCatStark]

RBS send letters addressed to both of us if it’s just general information of addressed to the individual if cards etc.

[Musmerian]

My DH and I have banked with First Direct for years - joint account holders and all correspondence sent in joint names. I’ve also always found their customer service exemplary so I’m very surprised by this.

[Thecazelets]

Me too Musmerian - I am amazed.

[Simonjt]

Our joint account is with first direct and our post is addressed to both of us and we usually find two copies of all documents (like statements) in the envelope. So I wonder if its a branch thing rather than a company wide thing.

Our mortgage is with Natwest, the statements are only addressed to me as my husband opts for paper free ‘post’.

[Thecazelets]

The letter I got back from them focused on something I hadn't complained about ( cards arriving in the same envelope - which I don't mind as long as my name's also on said envelope) and ignored the point about it being addressed only to DH. So it's all very odd.

Such a pain to have to change my bank but I think the time has come.

[Noworneverever]

Our first direct account address everything to both of us.

[EllieQ]

We have a joint account with the Co-op bank, and all letters and statements are addressed to us both.

[110APiccadilly]

I'm with HSBC and they put both our names on the letters. I think we also could have asked for seperate statements if we'd wanted but that's just a waste of paper for us.

[Bloose]

@Thecazelets

Can't think where else to post this for advice, but can anyone recommend a bank that will address letters to both joint account holders? DH and I have both held individual First Direct bank accounts for over 20 years, and we also have a shared joint account in both our names for household expenses. They insist on sending all correspondence on the joint account ( and new bank cards) only to DH. His name is after mine in the alphabet and on the cheque books, so it's not a 'computer says no' situation. He never even uses the account as I'm the one who organises all our bill payments etc. Recently they even sent a cheque back to him which was made out to my name and paid in by me to the account.

It's really getting me down, and I have complained to no avail. I've only asked them to put both our names on letters etc so that I can at least legally open post about our shared money, but they've refused. The letter I got back was distinctly sneery and implied I was making a fuss about nothing, but surely this leaves the non-addressed partner open to financial abuse?

So - can anyone recommend a bank that doesn't do this? All I want is a bank that'll put both of our names on correspondence. I don't need a separate statement, or my bank card arriving in a separate envelope, just an acknowledgement that it's my money too...

What are you on about “legally opening post?”

Of course you can open the post!

Are you being serious??

[endofagain]

Have you spoken to them? I am with FD and everything is addressed to me and DH.

[LemonJuiceFromConcentrate]

RBS uses both names, and sends new cards in separate envelopes.

[SquishySquirmy]

We have a joint mortgage with First Direct and get 2 copies of every statement, 1 addressed to me and the other to dh.
Have you got internet banking set up? I just use the app on the phone to check balances etc, so that would address the practical problem at least. But the principle
of it would annoy me in your shoes.
Have you tried going over the head of whoever dismissed you? A different complaints department? Because I dont think this is a company wide issue with First Direct. Complain about the way your reasonable request was dismissed as well as the fact that the problem occurred in the first place. Social media, perhaps to get their attention?

But if you want to switch banks, we have a joint account with Santander which addresses us both.

[Thecazelets]

You're not supposed to open post not addressed to you Bloose. DH and I don't open each other's letters. So yes, I am being serious. But thanks for your helpful contribution.