Can anyone recommend a bank account I can open without going into a bank?

[Lovemusic82]

Sorry I’m not great with banking so I maybe being thick.

I need to open a bank account for my disabled daughter but it needs to be a joint account so I can access it as she doesn’t have capacity to deal with her own money. I have been advised to do this by adult social services. The issue is we live in a rural location and all the local banks have vanished so it’s tricky to go and to talk to a bank face to face. Because of DD’s disabilities it makes it hard to travel to a big town/city to a bank and to sit and go through everything.

Am I able to open an account without going to a branch? Can I open a joint account with the bank I already use (Barclays) without going into a branch with dd?

She can sign an agreement but I’m not sure she would fully understand what she’s signing.

Most accounts you can open online. The tricky bit is opening a joint account online, if I want a joint account I’ve always had to go into a branch. (Nationwide, Lloyds, Co-Op).

I'd recommend Monzo. I have a single account and a joint with my partner.

I think your best bet is to speak with her current bank. They will have protocol for members who require additional support. It may mean a trip to the branch initially, but you'll have the support you need.

I would call her bank (where her card is) speak over the phone with the correct department (usually specialist support or something similar) and voice these concerns, be honest and see what can and can't be done.

Like PP mentioned, having a LPA or COP would be the long term solution to this. Obviously, it's not easy to begin with, but in the long run, it'll make things 10x easier.

Yup I like them

First Direct might be a good option because their phone service is excellent and very easy to use. Plus they don't have branches so are properly set up for remote banking.

Passing the security check on the phone is very easy without having to remember what colour your favourite teacher's grandfather's dog was and the advisors are properly trained and knowledgeable instead of overseas call centres who can't go off script.

Perhaps give them a call and explain what you need and see what they suggest?

There is currently no such thing as a chase joint account so that might not work, although I agree they are good for individual accounts

I recently opened a NatWest account for DD but the account was for up to 17 year olds. I did have to go into branch but I believe there was an option to post ID. She has no photo ID so was birth cert only.

DP is with Barclays and wanted her to go with them. I believe they do a video interview only.

You can have a Monzo at 16 but not sure they would allow an adult and child to have a joint account. You will struggle to open any account without ID.

Hi OP, I’ve just had to deal with this for my disabled child who has turned 18 this year. You may be able to open an account for her now but as soon as she turns 18, you will not be able to operate that account in her behalf legally. If the bank find out, they will freeze the account until you get Court of Protection order.
If you can manage bring her appointee for benefits and she doesn’t have any other money, I’d carry in as you are.
If your daughter has capacity to manage a bank account there are no problems in her having her own or a joint account but if she doesn’t, a COP order is something you will need for her and your protection.

My DH and I set up Revolut acts online for ourselves and then one each for our DD and DS, neither of whom is yet 18. They get a physical bank card. We can also pay money into their account very easily and see exactly what they are spending. It could not have been easier and they were not involved at any point!

Without photograph I.D. Im not sure any bank would be allowed to set up an account online without checks - possibly illegal as money laundering risks

Monzo is good for helping your DD because you can have different "pots" to sort spending, freeze and unfreeze cards, etc - not sure if other banks have since introduced these features though. But do note limitations compared to traditional banks, like costly cash withdrawals.

Can I suggest you apply for a provisional driving licence for your daughter? This is then fully accepted as ID, as she should receive it even if physically unable to drive (my son has in a similar situation.)

There is also the Citizen Card which can am completely applied for online, and is an accepted form of ID. They are also available for under 18's.

https://www.citizencard.com/apply-for-a-uk-id-card-online

Doesn't sound like OP's daughter would be able to make the health declaration required to receive a provisional licence. It's not just a piece of ID, it's the DVLA saying you're allowed to drive, which it doesn't sound like she could.

I hope you get sorted OP, have you tried any of the suggestions yet?

Thank you, I have applied for the citizens card, just waiting for her dad to sort his boss signing the photo bit. It’s seems most banks won’t let me open a joint account with her until she’s 18 so we may have to wait a couple months.

I think you are going to struggle to open up a joint account with any bank of your daughter doesn’t understand what she is signing up for.

in this instance you will need to apply for a court of protection order which can be done before your daughter turns 18 if it is likely that she will not gain enough capacity to understand before her birthday.

You can’t use a citizen card to apply for a bank account. Letters confirming benefits are usually accepted so it is likely that you already have some documents you can use without taking on the extra stress or fees involved in applying for something new.

I don't think most posters are understanding the difficulty here. If you are managing money for someone who lacks capacity, none of the usual stuff works. Barclays offer an appointee account but it is a total pain because they constantly require you to go into a branch (even though they closed all the branches! 😡) If I can offer some advice from personal experience: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECOME A COURT OF PROTECTION DEPUTY!! I cannot describe what an absolute shitshow it is. You'll be hounded by the Office of the Public Guardian with paperwork and phonecalls. They will treat you as an employee (and expect you to pay for the privilege). Don't touch it with a bargepole. This website is for people in our exact situation: https://moneycarer.org.uk/. They have their own bank (https://monika.org.uk/) Of course, you have to pay for it, but apparently you can apply for the costs to be covered by benefits. I haven't tried it yet, bit it looks like the least worst option. They also do useful things like "carer cards" so carers can pay for day to day expenses like groceries and petrol without having access to the person's bank account.

One more thing (sorry, this is my Mastermind specialist subject!) When dealing with high street banks, ask to talk to someone in the Department of Third Party Access. The regular tellers will think they know the answers, but most of them don't. We were told for years "you need power of attorney" (which is incorrect, as well as impossible since someone without capacity can't grant it). The third party access people will understand about DWP appointees and the nonsensical intricacies of the benefits system.

I have used First Direct for years now, great customer service, contact with a person when needed but mostly done online. No complaints, I wouldn't go back to a high street bank ( they are mostly closed around where I live anyway!)

First Direct is an online bank. I’m happy with them. NS&I is reliable too.