Changing a bank account from a joint to a sole account

[ChasingSquirrels]

Has anyone done this?

I appreciate that I will have to have ex-h's involvement, I have popped into the branch a couple of times and they have told me it isn't possible and can only be done on death, while the helpline tells me it is fine - we just need to both go into the branch.
Don't really want to have to set up a new account and change everything is I don't have to.

I had this done recently. I had to write a letter to the manager, and get xh to countersign.
Of course, it wasnt that simple as xh's signature was different and so he had to go into the branch to sign it again.
All took 6 months to get sorted, but I am sure 5 1/2 months of it was becuase of xh being a lazy arse..

I did wonder on a letter, right I will draft one and get ex to sort it - easier than both of us going into the bank (I used to work in the same building but have now moved).
He moved out in April, so I really should sort it!

there was a thank-you missing there! sorry.

Does this sound enough??

Please accept this letter as authority to convert the above bank account to a sole account in the name of me with immediate effect.

Please issue a new cheque book and paying-in-book in the sole name of me.

I, him, joint holder on the above bank account confirm my agreement to the account being changed from a joint account to a sole account in the name of him. ???????????????????.. ????????. him Date

If there are any queries regarding the above please contact me on xxxxx xxxxxx.

Yours faithfully,

I wrote something along the lines of:

We would like the name of ratbunny removed from the above account with immediate effect.
signed
ratbunny
ex-ratbunny

just 1 sentence I think!

thanks

umm - this is HSBC, branch were dismissive (of me on my own), but call centre says branch is full of pants and of course they can do it (well they didn't say that in so many words, but the gist of it was there).

I'll get him to sign the letter tomorrow and give it a try.
New year, new start (mummbles same over and over)...

We were able recently to change a (dormant) joint account (me & DH) to joint account (me & adult child). DH just had to sign a form to say he was OK with it. This was with Nationwide; I picked up the forms & took them home, DH signed his, adult child took both forms back & they did it at the branch, it took a couple of minutes!

Ask the call centre what the form is called or its code number or something - or if they can send you an email with attachments to take into the branch.

I used to work for HSBC and you can't convert joint to sole. You open a new account in your name and you both sign to close old account and agree who is taking on any standing orders, direct debits, switch payments and any cheques or credits to hit the joint account. They can print a closing account form for you/them to post to him, you don't need to sign the same letter.

HTH

Is that just HSBC or all banks, Frosty? (I can see my experience wasn't the same thing!)

just called call centre again (I called in the summer then did nothing) and she says just to go into the branch.
Sounds like I probably won't be able to, but will give the letter a go and open a new account if I need to - won't be with HSBC though if they won't transfer it.

As far as I know it is the same policy at all financial institutions as how are they to know if one party is going to do a deceitful runner without the other party knowing if you don't have both signatures. Joint account so both equally entitled to credit/debt. IYSWIM.

we would have both signatures though, no one is doing a runner, he will agree to it.

if one of us wanted to clear the account we could easily do so - cheque/cash withdrawls/internet transfer.
Changing the details on the account isn't a runner - it is staying put.

if one of us wanted to clear the account we could easily do so - cheque/cash withdrawls/internet transfer.
Changing the details on the account isn't a runner - it is staying put.

Of course, nothing to stop you emptying the account and sorting out standing orders and direct debits to put on your new sole account but if other half decides to run up a hefty overdraft on there you will be half liable for it if you don't get the account closed. Have dealt with a few horror stories in my time there.

am aware of that, it's not a problem.
Just don't understand why a bank wouldn't change a joint to a single with the concent of both parties.

They just can't. Once the account has had two parties attached to it, legally they cannot remove one name. I suppose it is incase a credit is paid in sometime in the future meant for the other party you would automatically receive it but you wouldn't be entitled to it. Same applies to outstanding cheques and switch payments which can still be debited up to 5 years after being swiped. isn't it?

and in that case (which makes sense) why does the call centre keep telling me it is ok.
arrggghhh.
Still going to try the letter, can take it in tomorrow and won't be doing anything until the new year anyway.
Thanks.

Have been on a career break since 2006 so maybe things have changed but doubt it.

Call centres, yup, remember them well.