You have your Lasting Power of Attorney - now what?

If you have reached this page you will probably already have a lasting power of attorney in place for your legal and financial affairs. 

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows your nominated person (the attorney) the authority to make financial decisions for you (the donor). This means that if you lose mental capacity they can access your bank account and do everything that you would normally do such as pay bills, withdraw cash, move money between accounts or close an account.

To access your bank accounts the attorney will need to register with each financial institution they require access to. This allows the bank to recognise the person who can legally make decisions on your behalf. The same process applies to utility companies, pension firms and share portfolios.   

This may take some time as each financial institution has a different registration process. Some require the attorney to visit in person, while others will allow it to be done online or through the post. If you have nominated more than one attorney, and a joint decision is required, then your nominated attorney’s may need to visit the branch in person. 

Whilst it can vary, but most institutions will ask for the following information to register: 

• Your name, address and date of birth

• The attorney’s name, address and date of birth

• The attorney’s proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence

• The attorney’s proof of address, such as a utility or council tax bill

• Account number and sort code 

• An original or certified copy of the power of attorney

• Or, a power of attorney digital code 

You can find out what is required by the following financial institutions via the links below:

Bank of Scotland 

https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/someone-to-manage-your-affairs.html

Barclays 

https://www.barclays.co.uk/third-party-access/power-of-attorney/

Chase 

https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/support/power-of-attorney/

Co-op

https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/help-and-support/financial-support/major-life-events/power-of-attorney/

Cynergy Bank 

https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/support/additional-support-needs/assisting-someone-with-their-bank-accounts

First Direct

https://www.firstdirect.com/help/life-events/someone-else-managing-your-money/power-of-attorney/

Halifax

https://www.halifax.co.uk/helpcentre/support-and-wellbeing/someone-to-manage-your-affairs.html

HSBC

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/life-events/poa/registering-for-poa-with-hsbc/

Lloyds 

https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/supportandwellbeing/someone-to-manage-your-affairs.html

MBNA

https://www.mbna.co.uk/support/someone-to-manage-your-affairs.html

Nationwide 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/third-party-access/register-a-power-of-attorney/

Natwest 

https://www.natwest.com/life-moments/caring-for-vulnerable-relatives.html

NS&I

https://www.nsandi.com/help/manage-money-for-others/manage-saving-for-adult

Royal Bank of Scotland 

https://www.rbs.co.uk/life-moments/caring-for-vulnerable-relatives.html

Santander 

https://power-of-attorney-online.santander.co.uk/poa-frontend/

Skipton Building Society 

https://www.skipton.co.uk/legacy-planning/power-of-attorney/already-skipton-customer

TSB 

https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/power-of-attorney-england-and-wales.html

Tesco Bank

https://www.tescobank.com/help/giving-control-of-your-account/

Virgin Money 

https://uk.virginmoney.com/service/power-of-attorney/#how-do-i-register-a-power-of-attorney-with-virgin-money

Yorkshire Building Society 

https://www.ybs.co.uk/help/power-of-attorney