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Someone to manage your affairs
If you need help managing your money or want to support someone else, you can appoint someone you trust access to your accounts. Find out about the options available and what you need to do.
Why would I need someone to manage my affairs or support someone else?
You may need to give someone you trust access to your accounts to help you manage your money. For example, you may have a serious health condition or want to get things ready for when you might not be able to manage in the future.
Giving someone access to your bank account so they can manage it for you is an important decision, but it could be essential for your well-being.
What would the representative be able to do?
Depending on the type of access in place, a representative with access to your accounts could:
- Use your accounts in the same way you would.
- Access your accounts online and by phone.
- Use a card and cheque book on your accounts.
- Open extra accounts on your behalf.
- Deal with your home insurance policy.
If you don’t want to hand over control of your finances, we also offer:
Trusted Person Card – This is a debit card linked to your current account, that you can give to someone you trust, to shop for essentials or withdraw money.
Trusted Person Alerts – This is a service that lets you choose someone you trust to receive text messages from us, about your current account activity.
More information about these services can be found on our types of access page.
Three steps to appoint someone or become a representative
1. Choose ‘Access type’
Use our quick and simple Customer Access Tool to find out which type of access would best suit your circumstances.
The most common types of access are:
- Power of attorney - gives someone the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf.
- Third-party mandate - allows someone limited access to current and savings accounts.
- Court order - to appoint someone to act on your behalf, if you are unable.
See all types of access available and what they mean.
2. Prepare documentation
To confirm the identity of the representative, we need to see:
- Power of attorney or court order documents.
- Proof of identity and address.
Please note for power of attorney and court orders, we would need to see original documents or certified copies of the document.
If you registered a lasting power of attorney after September 2019 and received a digital code, you can use this instead.
3. Let us know
You can register online
Register to become a representative
If the representatives are appointed to make decisions jointly, all representatives must register with us in order to act.
You can also register over the phone by calling us.
Supporting you in exceptional circumstances
We appreciate that there will be times where you need to support a family member with their finances, but do not have any power of attorney or third party access in place.
If you are in this position and need to talk to someone, please call us and we may be able to help in the short term while you apply for longer term access.
What to do if your circumstances change?
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You’ll need to tell us if this happens. Please call us. Alternatively, you can visit your local branch.
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If you and the representative are married or in a civil partnership, their authority will come to an end when the marriage / civil partnership formally ends, unless the legal document says otherwise.
This applies to all types of power of attorney, but not to court appointments, such as deputyship or guardianship.
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If the representative passes away, we must be notified. We would need the death certificate or updated lasting power of attorney document stamped by the relevant Office of the Public Guardian; Scotland or England and Wales.
Please call us. Alternatively, you can visit your local branch.
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If the account holder passes away, the representative access would stop and the estate would be managed under the bereavement process.
Further support
Banking from home
If you or someone you know needs support with banking from home, we can help.
- Learn how to register for Internet Banking.
Access your accounts on the move with our secure, easy to use Mobile Banking app. - Be careful making payments and sharing your details online, stay safe from scams.
- Learn essential digital skills for life and make the most of being online with a free 1-2-1 session from the Digital Helpline.
Conversations about money
You might not feel comfortable talking about finances with your loved ones. But it’s sometimes those conversations that are the most important ones to have. To make it easier you should:
- Choose the right time and place.
- Listen as well as talk.
- Be open and honest.
- Try to stay calm.
- Put the plan into action.
If you would like further advice and guidance you can find free and impartial money advice at MoneyHelper.
Protect your wellbeing
Helping or caring for a loved one living with mental illness, or experiencing this yourself, can be challenging. We have support available to help you feel more in control.
If you are struggling with your mental health and would like to get some further information and support, Mental Health UK, NHS Scotland or NHS UK could help you.
For more help Mental Health & Money Advice have free guidance you can trust.
Supporting customers affected by serious illness
A serious illness may mean that you find that there’s an impact on your finances. We’re here to support you.
Calls and online sessions may be monitored and recorded. Not all Telephone Banking services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
