Using an LPA with banks

The process, provider by provider

1. Contact each bank's power of attorney team — most have a dedicated department.
2. Provide the registered LPA: a certified copy, or an online access code from the Use an LPA service.
3. Provide attorney ID: passport or driving licence and proof of address.
4. Attend a branch appointment if the bank requires one.
5. Agree how the attorney will operate the account: cards, online access, statements.

What slows it down

• Sending a plain photocopy instead of a properly certified copy.
• Joint appointments where the bank insists on both signatures for everything.
• A financial LPA restricted to loss of capacity, with no medical evidence supplied.
• Address mismatches between the LPA and the attorney's ID.

Practical tips

• Do the banks, then pensions, then utilities and council tax. Utilities are usually the easiest.
• Keep a log of who has recorded the LPA and the reference each gave you.
• Expect a few weeks across all providers, not a few days.
• If a member of staff says an LPA is not valid until capacity is lost, refer them to the section on the form — for Option A LPAs they are wrong.

Common questions

Read next

• Certified copies of an LPA: how to make them
• LPAs and joint bank accounts