Overlay
Caring for someone vulnerable

Power of Attorney

Register a Power of Attorney

You can register a Power of Attorney (POA) in two ways:

  • online – it's simple, secure and you can do it from home
  • in a branch.

 

Good to know

  • You only need one form to add an attorney to all of the donor’s valid accounts.
  • If there is more than one attorney and they must act jointly, please add them at the same time.
  • Each attorney needs to fill in their own form, if completing the application online.
  • If you are the donor, please ask the attorney to complete the application form.
  • Once we confirm your identity and have all the documents, we’ll process the application within 10 working days.
  • We’ll let you know as soon as the attorney has been added to the account.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets someone make decisions for you if you cannot or do not want to make them yourself. The person who gives this permission is called the donor. The person who receives it is called an attorney.

Attorneys are often family members or close friends. However, professionals such as solicitors or local authorities can also act as attorneys.

You can set up a POA for a short time, such as when you are in hospital, or for the long term, for example if you become ill and cannot make decisions.

To learn more about Power of Attorney, visit Age UK using the link below.

What can an attorney do?

If the donor lacks capacity the attorney can operate the account as if they were the account holder themselves. Donors can choose to have more than one attorney on their account but they must make it clear whether the attorneys will act 'jointly' or 'joint and severally'.

An attorney can

  • Manage the donor’s bank accounts to help with day-to-day money management. For example: payments and transfers.
  • Register for online and telephone banking (unless they are appointed to act jointly).
  • Have a debit card on the account (unless they are appointed to act jointly).
  • Visit a branch to manage the donor’s accounts.
  • Close accounts the donor no longer needs.
  • Open new accounts in the donor’s name (in some cases).
  • Manage the donor’s mortgage if the POA covers property and financial affairs — including applying for a new mortgage or changing rates. 
Information Message

An attorney can't

  • Apply for borrowing or credit, such as loans, overdrafts, or credit cards.
  • Change account ownership or add someone new to the account.
  • Act alone if the POA says decisions must be made jointly.
  • Have services that allow one attorney to act without the other when a joint appointment is required (such as online banking, telephone banking, or a debit card). 
Information Message

Frequently asked questions