Using Your LPA at the Bank: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using Your LPA at the Bank: Everything You Need to Know

Having a registered LPA is essential—but knowing how to actually USE it at banks is equally important. This practical guide explains how to register your LPA with banks and what to do if you encounter problems.

When Can You Use an LPA at the Bank?

Property & Financial Affairs LPA Only

Only a Property & Financial Affairs LPA gives banking authority. A Health & Welfare LPA doesn't cover financial matters.

Two Situations for Use

1. Donor still has capacity (with permission) The donor can authorise their attorney to help with banking while they still have mental capacity. Useful if they:

Have mobility issues
Are in hospital
Want help managing accounts
Are travelling

2. Donor has lost capacity If the donor can no longer manage their own affairs, the attorney can take over banking completely.

Step 1: Register Your LPA with the Bank BEFORE You Need It

Why Register Early?

Don't wait for a crisis. Registering your LPA with banks while everything is calm means:

No delays when you actually need access
Time to sort out any problems
Less stress during difficult times
Bank staff familiar with your LPA

How to Register

Each bank has its own process, but generally:

Contact the bank - Phone or visit a branch

Request LPA registration - Ask to register a Power of Attorney

Provide documents - Original registered LPA or certified copy

Complete their forms - Each bank has paperwork

Provide ID - Attorney's identification

Wait for confirmation - Usually 1-4 weeks

What Banks Need

Document

Why

Original or certified LPA	Proves authority
Attorney's photo ID	Proves you're the attorney
Proof of attorney's address	Standard verification
Bank's own forms	Their internal process

Getting Certified Copies

You don't need to hand over your original LPA. Get certified copies from:

The OPG (£35 per certified copy)
A solicitor
A registered legal professional

Tip: Get several certified copies made. You'll need one for each bank, plus backup.

Step 2: Understanding Your Powers

What You CAN Do as Attorney

Once registered, you can typically:

View account balances and statements
Make transfers between the donor's accounts
Pay the donor's bills
Set up direct debits for their expenses
Withdraw cash for their needs
Manage savings and investments
Close or open accounts (in their interest)

What You CANNOT Do

Use the money for your own benefit
Make gifts (except small customary ones)
Mix their money with yours
Make risky investments
Act against their interests

Your Legal Duty

You must act in the donor's best interests at all times. Banks may question transactions that don't seem to benefit the donor.

Step 3: Using the LPA Day-to-Day

Online Banking

Some banks offer attorneys online access:

Separate login credentials for attorney
View-only or full access options
Transaction history tracking

Ask your bank what online options are available.

Branch Banking

When visiting a branch:

Bring your attorney ID
Have LPA reference number ready
Be prepared to explain your role
Keep transactions clearly for the donor's benefit

Telephone Banking

Most banks allow attorneys to use phone banking once registered:

Separate security questions
Some require written confirmation first
May have transaction limits

Debit Cards

Options vary by bank:

Some issue an attorney card
Others add you to the existing account
Some require all transactions via branch

Always ask what card arrangements are available.

What If the Bank Won't Accept Your LPA?

This Happens More Than It Should

Despite legal requirements, some banks cause problems:

Staff unfamiliar with LPAs
Overly cautious compliance departments
IT systems not set up correctly
Requests for unnecessary documents

Your Rights

Banks are legally REQUIRED to accept a validly registered LPA. They cannot:

Refuse to recognise it
Demand you use their own Power of Attorney form
Require additional legal documents
Charge fees to register it

How to Escalate

Step 1: Ask for the manager Front-line staff often don't understand LPAs. Ask to speak to someone senior.

Step 2: Request their POA team Most banks have a specialist team for Powers of Attorney. Ask to be transferred.

Step 3: Put it in writing Write to the bank formally, including:

Your name and the donor's name
LPA reference number
What you're requesting
That they're legally required to accept it
Deadline for response (14 days)

Step 4: Complain formally If they still refuse:

Make a formal complaint
Request their final response
This triggers their complaints process

Step 5: Financial Ombudsman If the complaint isn't resolved:

Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service
They can force the bank to comply
Free service for consumers
Banks take Ombudsman cases seriously

Template Letter for Difficult Banks

---

Dear [Bank Name],

Re: Registration of Lasting Power of Attorney

I am the registered attorney for [Donor's name] under a Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Reference: [number]).

I am writing to register this LPA with you so that I can manage [Donor's name]'s accounts.

I enclose a certified copy of the registered LPA and my identification documents.

Please confirm registration within 14 days. I remind you that banks are legally required to accept validly registered LPAs.

If you have any queries, please contact me at [your details].

Yours faithfully, [Your name]

---

Managing Multiple Banks

The Challenge

Most people have accounts with multiple banks:

Current accounts
Savings accounts
ISAs
Credit cards
Mortgages

Each needs separate LPA registration.

The Solution: Plan Ahead

List all accounts - Help the donor compile a complete list

Register with all banks - Do this before it's urgent

Keep records - Note registration dates and contacts

Consider consolidation - Fewer banks = less administration

Priority Order

If you can't do everything at once, prioritise:

Main current account - Bills come from here

Savings accounts - May need for care costs

Credit cards - To manage/close if needed

ISAs/investments - Less urgent but important

Tips for Smooth Banking

1. Build Relationships

If the donor still has capacity, visit the branch together:

Introduce yourself as attorney
Explain the LPA
Ask about their processes
Get a named contact

2. Keep Meticulous Records

Track every transaction:

Date and amount
Purpose
Receipts where possible
Running balance

You may need to account for your management to the OPG or other family members.

3. Maintain Separation

Never mix the donor's money with your own:

Keep their accounts separate
Don't transfer to your personal accounts
Pay their expenses directly from their accounts

4. Think About Joint Accounts

If there are joint accounts:

You may already have access
LPA covers the donor's share
Consider what happens if co-holder dies

5. Plan for Care Costs

If the donor needs care:

Understand what costs are coming
Keep funds accessible
Consider whether assets need selling
Don't panic-sell unnecessarily

Special Situations

Donor is in Hospital

You can manage banking while they're in hospital:

Pay their bills
Manage their home
Deal with their correspondence
Keep their affairs in order

Donor is in Care Home

You'll likely need to:

Pay care home fees
Manage property sale/rental
Handle utility bills
Manage pension/benefit payments

Donor Has Dementia

Extra considerations:

They can't authorise new transactions
You have full responsibility
Keep other family informed
Document everything carefully

Donor Has Died

Your LPA ends at death. You must:

Stop using the LPA immediately
Not make further transactions
Notify the bank of the death
Let executors take over

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting Until Crisis

2. Not Getting Certified Copies

Never hand over your only copy of the LPA. Get certified copies.

3. Assuming All Banks Are the Same

Each bank has different processes. Check each one individually.

4. Making Gifts

You generally cannot give away the donor's money, even to family. Exceptions are very limited.

5. Poor Record-Keeping

Keep detailed records of every transaction. You may need to justify them.

Summary

Action

When

Priority

Get certified LPA copies	Now	High
List all banks/accounts	Now	High
Register with main bank	Before needed	High
Register with other banks	Before needed	Medium
Set up online access	When offered	Medium
Keep transaction records	Ongoing	Essential

Using an LPA at the bank should be straightforward, but preparation makes all the difference. Register early, know your rights, and don't be afraid to escalate if banks cause problems.

Don't have an LPA yet? Create one today →