Any banking experts here? If someone else uses your current account with your permission, is that OK?

[WendyWeber]

We went to Nationwide today to open an account for DS1 - he spent the winter working in the Alps and will be there for the summer and for next winter too, and all he has atm is a current account with HSBC. It's not accessible online (so I have to go into the branch to get a mini statement to see where he's up to), only gives him a Solo card (which he can't use for internet transactions), and charges him £1.75 every time he withdraws cash.

Nationwide are renowned for being the best account/debit card to use abroad - so renowned, apparently, that since 1st April they are only opening new accounts with minimum monthly funding of £750 - he gets paid about £75 a week so no good.

However - we used to use a Nationwide account; it has been dormant with about 37p in it for 10+ years but is still open - if we resurrect it, can he legally use it although it's in our name?

He can't legally use it, but there is nothing to stop you from giving him your card and letting him use it to withdraw cash. of course, if he withdraws huge amounts and takes you overdrawn you have no legal comback on Nationwide.

What you could do is get your ds added to your account as a joint account holder? Then you could have access to see what he's up to/add funds, and he can get money out/use debit card

Thanks, Prufrock! That sounds like a much better idea but do you think Nationwide would be happy with him being added like that? It is a joint account already, will they let us have 3 named holders or could he go on instead of DH?

Depends though as I work for a bank and after 8 years accounts that are 'inactive'become dormant so in effect they are closed and all the money sits in a central accout, if you come in after 9 years with your account details we issue the money but the account is not valid therefore you would not be able to reserruct it.

Also woth change of ownership, teh bank I work for would close your exisiting account and then open a new one in the names you want therefore you may still be applicable to the £750 per month rule

Well if they won't let you re-open, (and you really really trust him) could you do a new account for him and pay 750 a month into it by SO yourself, then have another SO set up to pay it out (if you want to make it less obvious you could send it to dh's account)

Oh, I did wonder if they timed out after a while, eandh - thanks for that.

They do still send a statement from time to time though - with the 37p on it - I had assumed that meant it was still open. We have a debit card somewhere, I will dig that out and see what the date is on it.

Missed your reply before prufrock, sorry.

I did ask if we could do that and they said no, but of course asking wasn't smart, was it?

If I can find the latest statement I'll ring and see what the situation is. Also I have a feeling DD1 also used a Nationwide account for a bit so I'll see if hers is still open as that would be more recent.

WW - email me at m n m i l g e a t y a h o o dot co dot u k - I may be able to help.

Thanks, milge - have emailed

WW - Got it and replied, rather a marathon I fear, but your problem has multiple solutions!!

I have replied to yours now - another marathon!

I've opened a Nationwide Flex Account since 1 April and I won't be paying £750 in per month. (I've only opened it in order to open a savings account)