You have a Lasting Power of Attorney - now what?

If you have reached this page you will probably already have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place for the legal and financial affairs of your loved one. 

An LPA is a legal document that gives the nominated person the authority to make financial decisions on behalf of someone else. This means that if your loved one loses mental capacity you can access their bank accounts and do everything that they would normally do such as pay bills, withdraw cash, move money between accounts or close an account.

To access their bank accounts you will need to register with each financial institution you require access to. This allows the bank to recognise you as the person who can legally make decisions on behalf of the person you care for. 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 will require you (the attorney) to visit the branch in person, while others will allow it to be done online or through the post. If more than one attorney has been nominated, and a joint decision is required, then the nominated attorney’s may need to visit the branch in person. 

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

• The name, address and date of birth of your loved one

• Your name, address and date of birth

• Your proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence

• Your proof of address, such as a utility or council tax bill

• The account number and sort code of the account you require access to

• An original or certified copy of the LPA

• Or, an LPA digital code 

Select the institutions from the list below to find out what is required to register:

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