Best banks if you have Power of Attorney

Most people will start with getting access to the donor's existing bank accounts. 

Depending on how close you already are to their finances, you'll first need to make a list of all of the financial organisations they hold accounts with. Then it's a case of informing each one. 

The time it takes varies between banks, but expect it to take around 10 working days. It's therefore best to register in advance of when you'll need to access the accounts.  

You'll need to supply the bank with any documentation it asks for – which could mean posting or emailing copies. Always check with each bank, but broadly speaking, you'll usually need the following: 

• Power of Attorney documentation or online code. This can be the original Power of Attorney document or a certified copy. If the donor is still able to make their own decisions, they can certify copies by signing and dating each page (see the exact wording to use), otherwise it usually needs to be done by a solicitor (see how to certify a document) . 
  
  For a PoA registered in England and Wales since 1 January 2016, you also have the option of using an online access code – you can view or request access to this by creating an account on Gov.uk.
  
  Banks can then use this to instantly verify your PoA, though not all banks will accept it (for example, if there's special instructions, preferences or restrictions listed on the PoA), so do check. 
  
  
• Proof of your identity, unless you're an existing customer. This is so the bank can set you up with a customer profile. If you already hold accounts with the bank, you might just need to pass its verification (such as logging in via online banking, or entering your debit card's PIN), though if you're new, you'd usually need to provide:
  
  
  • One or two forms of photo ID (such as a UK driving licence or passport)
  • Proof of address.

It's then a case of contacting each bank. Unfortunately there's no standard way to do it, so we asked the major banks how their processes work, and the best contact number if you run into trouble.

If you'd prefer (or have) to go into branch, it's best to book an appointment, telling them it's to register a Power of Attorney. This way if they need someone with specialist knowledge of the process, they should have more time to prepare. Only the attorney(s) will be required to attend, and can usually visit at different times/locations if there are more than one.