Joint bank accounts, including joint current accounts, are designed to help people manage their money together. This makes paying for joint bills much easier and can save you the task of transferring money between accounts.
Have you considered opening a joint bank account but not sure where to start? We have put together a useful guide on how a joint bank account works and what to look out for.
What are the benefits of a joint bank account?
How do I open a joint bank account?
Can a sole account be converted to a joint bank account?
Can one person close a joint bank account?
A joint account is a type of bank account where more than one person is responsible for the account and its management. There are generally no restrictions in regards to the relationship between the two people opening a joint bank account, meaning you may share a bank account with a friend, a partner or a spouse for example.
Everyone named on the account has equal access to the joint bank account, but also equal responsibility. This can make it easier to manage shared bills such as rent, mortgage repayments or utility bills, but may also give you less control of the money leaving the account. Keep in mind that both of you may need to meet the provider’s eligibility criteria to be able to open the account. Both of you may also need to pass credit checks.
Joint accounts are not suitable if you need long-term access to help manage someone else’s money. For example, if you need to help an elderly relative look after their finances. You don’t have to open a joint bank account to help someone with their finances. If a bank account needs to be cared for by a person other than the account holder, registering a Power of Attorney or Court of Protection may be an option. All accountholders will need to have full mental capacity to enter into the joint account.
If you live with another person, a joint bank account can be used to cover shared expenses, making life a little more straightforward.
When it comes to managing a joint account, it is important that you find a way that works for both you and the other account holder, as a joint account can be managed in a number of ways. Many people opt to deposit a percentage of their monthly income into their joint account for their shared bills, and keep the rest for their personal spending.
Remember, with a joint bank account, you will both have full visibility of how much each person is paying in and what is coming out.
If you’re looking for an account that offers a straightforward way of sharing money and managing expenses, a joint bank account may be right for you.
You will both have the ability to manage the account, deposit money, set up payments and withdraw cash. With this in mind, it is important to think carefully before entering into a joint account with someone.
There are a few important things to consider before opening a joint bank account. Joining your financial records together may negatively affect your options for opening new accounts and getting credit in the future. This is because if one of you has a poor credit score it may have a negative impact on the other.
Opening a joint bank account often involves consent, allowing both of you to instruct on the account. This means that either of you may be able to apply for additional services and facilities, such as an overdraft, without obtaining additional consent from the other person.
It is important for you both to monitor the account closely as you might not always know of the other account holder’s spending. This could result in missed payments or the account going overdrawn. If this happens, both account holders will be equally liable for the whole debt, and it can affect both parties’ credit score.
A joint bank account can also affect the privacy of your spending habits, as bank statements for that account may be visible to both account holders.
To open a joint bank account you may be asked to provide details such as proof of address and identity.
You may also be asked to provide additional information, such as your individual incomes, NI numbers and employment status.
There are several documents you can use to prove your identity. Some of the more common ones include, but are not limited to:
Depending on the bank account provider, you may need one or more of the following to prove your address:
Learn more about what documents you can use for Proof of Identity and Proof of Address.
No, you usually don’t have to live together in order to open a joint bank account.
Yes you can take your name off a joint bank account, however, you may need permission from the other account holder to do so. If there’s an overdrawn balance, account providers sometimes require you to pay this off before your name can be taken off the account.
Sometimes, all parties who have access to the joint bank account need to sign a document if they wish to close, freeze or make changes to the account. This may differ between bank account providers, so it’s always best to ask your provider before you go to open or close your account.
Yes, many account providers will allow you to add a second account holder to an existing bank account. It’s always a good idea to check with your bank account provider beforehand as the process of adding a second person may vary between banks and account providers.
Joint accounts are not suitable if you need long-term access to help manage someone else’s money. For example, if you need to help an elderly relative look after their finances. If a bank account needs to be cared for by a person other than the account holder, registering a Power of Attorney or Court of Protection may be an option. All accountholders will need to have full mental capacity to enter into the joint account.
Before you decide to either be added onto an account, or add someone to your account, you should ensure you read and understand the risks associated, including the account’s terms and conditions along with any charges associated with the account.
Remember that both account holders will have full use of the account; for example, they can take money out of the account, set up regular payments and they can ask for an increase in borrowing. On most joint accounts the consent of the other person won't be required. You will still be jointly and fully responsible for any debts on the account even if you haven’t individually requested the borrowing or completed the transactions that have caused the overdrawn balance.
As each accountholder is jointly and fully responsible for any overdraft on the account, this means that if you join an account with an existing overdrawn balance, you will become responsible for the amount owed. It is important to make sure you are aware of any overdrawn balance and available overdraft limit before you agree to be added onto an account. You should also ensure you understand any charges applicable when borrowing
You have the right to cancel within 14 days of receiving confirmation that you have been added to the account. We will remove you from the account and you will only be required to pay for services that you have already used by the time you cancel. Please be aware that if there has been any increasing borrowing on the account during this period, you will be jointly and fully responsible for this.
Generally, when you and the other account holder commit to a joint account agreement, you are allowing for the account provider to accept an instruction from either of you.
If for any reason the relationship ends, your account provider will normally support you if they are formally made aware of any dispute between the account holders. However, this could result in neither of the account holders being able to use the account until the dispute has been settled, or an agreement has been reached.
There are certain providers who will allow you to request both account holders permission before carrying out any instructions. If this is a feature that you want, it’s best to ask your provider to see if the option is available to you.
Opening any type of bank account can temporarily affect your credit score. This is because a credit check is required for many bank accounts. When a credit check is carried out, it can leave a footprint on your credit file.
This in itself may not have a negative effect on your credit score, but applying for multiple bank accounts or credit over a short period is likely to.
Having a joint bank account with someone makes them a “financial associate”. You may be negatively impacted if you have a financial associate who has a poor credit score. This is because providers may also look at their credit score when deciding whether to offer you products and services, even if you are applying in your own name.
Before applying for a new account, particularly if you are looking for an overdraft option, it’s a good idea to use an overdraft eligibility checker. Overdraft eligibility checkers will carry out a ‘soft search’ to help you understand how likely you are to be accepted for an overdraft, without affecting your credit score.
You don’t have to open a joint bank account to help someone with their finances. If a bank account needs to be cared for by a person other than the account holder, registering a Power of Attorney or Court of Protection may be an option.
Do not open a joint bank account if you have any doubts on whether it is right for you and your circumstances.
Never open a joint bank account if you feel pressured into doing so.
Remember that both account holders are equally liable for the whole debt if the account is misused or goes overdrawn, and either account holder can remove money from the account.
For information on what to do if you or someone you know are experiencing financial abuse, visit our financial and economic abuse page.
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