High Street Banks - passbook account?

[Countdown]

Do any of the main banks/building societies still do passbook accounts? This is for an elderly relative who's not very Internet savvy.

She would like an account where she can pay money in/take money out the old fashioned way but I get the impression these don't exist any more....

[5pen]

My mother (she's similarly internet averse) has one of these with Nationwide, but wouldn't be surprised if it's a 'legacy' thing and they are no longer opening new accounts. Worth a try though.

[Vasco]

Countdown said:

Do any of the main banks/building societies still do passbook accounts? This is for an elderly relative who's not very Internet savvy.

She would like an account where she can pay money in/take money out the old fashioned way but I get the impression these don't exist any more....

I don't recall any, for new accounts, with any of the major players for some years. If any still do issue passbooks it will be the few surviving local building societies.
In any event, she may not need to be internet savvy, many banks/building societies will simply issue a plastic/debit card

[colin79666]

Leeds Building Society did, at least it did 3 or 4 years ago.

[Simpo Two]

Countdown said:

Do any of the main banks/building societies still do passbook accounts? This is for an elderly relative who's not very Internet savvy.

She would like an account where she can pay money in/take money out the old fashioned way but I get the impression these don't exist any more....

Another 'analogue' option could be using a paying-in slip, and writing a cheque to 'cash'.

I think the banking industry is growing rather to dependent on wizzy tech OMG smartphone app lol. Wizzy tech can break.

[Countdown]

Thanks all - looks like I need a Plan B

Could I open an internet account for her in her name and manage all the online aspects - she would just have the debit card and she could check her balance at an ATM (she's happy with that). This would be informal - as far as the bank were concerned it was just her running her own bank account.

[Zumbruk]

Countdown said:

Thanks all - looks like I need a Plan B

Could I open an internet account for her in her name and manage all the online aspects - she would just have the debit card and she could check her balance at an ATM (she's happy with that). This would be informal - as far as the bank were concerned it was just her running her own bank account.

Strictly speaking, no. You need a PoA to do this above board (which is what I do for my Mother.)

But as long as nothing goes wrong, who's to know?

But if your Mother becomes less competent and accuses you of robbing her? Or a friend or relative does? Could be painful.

Edited by Zumbruk on Thursday 14th October 22:19

[ctdctd]

She can open an Instant Access Saver at the Nationwide and access with a cash card in branch or at an ATM. No Internet access required but no passbook either.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/instant-acces...

[Simpo Two]

ctdctd said:

She can open an Instant Access Saver at the Nationwide and access with a cash card in branch or at an ATM. No Internet access required but no passbook either.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/instant-acces...

I can reliably inform viewers that this poster has more accounts than all of us put together

[ctdctd]

Simpo Two said:

I can reliably inform the audience that this poster has more accounts than all of us put together

And just this year, the last one with a passbook finally bit the dust.

[Vasco]

Countdown said:

Thanks all - looks like I need a Plan B

Could I open an internet account for her in her name and manage all the online aspects - she would just have the debit card and she could check her balance at an ATM (she's happy with that). This would be informal - as far as the bank were concerned it was just her running her own bank account.

Not a good idea (as has been mentioned by others), it just raises too many concerns. How about opening a card/ATM account in your JOINT names so that you can operate it on her behalf - albeit it still raises some concerns.
Does the Post 0ffice have anything suitable nowadays?

[Countdown]

Zumbruk said:

Strictly speaking, no. You need a PoA to do this above board (which is what I do for my Mother.)

But as long as nothing goes wrong, who's to know?

But if your Mother becomes less competent and accuses you of robbing her? Or a friend or relative does? Could be painful.

Edited by Zumbruk on Thursday 14th October 22:19

Thanks - I was thinking along the same lines.

[Countdown]

ctdctd said:

She can open an Instant Access Saver at the Nationwide and access with a cash card in branch or at an ATM. No Internet access required but no passbook either.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/instant-acces...

Unfortunately no Nationwide within walking distance. She can drive but doesn't like to........

[Countdown]

Vasco said:

Not a good idea (as has been mentioned by others), it just raises too many concerns. How about opening a card/ATM account in your JOINT names so that you can operate it on her behalf - albeit it still raises some concerns.
Does the Post 0ffice have anything suitable nowadays?

Yes I think that might be the path of least resistance.

PO only appears to have online accounts.

[Willhire89]

if there is a smaller BS's on her local high street then a passbook is still possible

Ipswich B S (soon to be Suffolk B S ) and Saffron Walden Herts and Essex B S both still use passbooks.

[Simpo Two]

Willhire89 said:

if there is a smaller BS's on her local high street then a passbook is still possible

Ipswich B S (soon to be Suffolk B S ) and Saffron Walden Herts and Essex B S both still use passbooks.

I used to use SWHEB - lovely place with a unique account that I could use for business and paid interest. I liked going there and paying stuff in and out.

Then the council put double yellow lines everywhere so I moved to Kleinwort Benson.

[Mr Whippy]

I use Skipton BS and Yorkshire BS, both recent openings and just use passbooks... despite them trying to get me to sign up for online... me saying that’s not what I want at all as it means they all lose their jobs and I may as well just use a bank.

The muppetry from the BSs is staggering... their USP is face to face quality.
Online just makes them pointless.

[Killer2005]

As above, Yorkshire building society do.