Bank wants in-person submission of POA but I live out of state.

Question

Bank wants in-person submission of POA but I live out of state.

Follow

Share

I am trying to get online banking access to my mom's credit accounts (mortgage and LOC) so I can make payments on them from an account I manage. The bank is in WA, my mom moved to WI, and I live in WV. Her move to WI was all very sudden as her husband passed away unexpectedly. I got the durable POA in WA but was not able to get all accounts squared away while I was there. Now the bank is saying the require me to come in person to the branch in WA to hand them the notarized POA and verify my identity. But this can't be the only time this has ever happened! I'm not spending $400 and 2 days to fly out to WA just to walk into a branch. I'm happy to mail them an original POA (I got several copies made) - aren't there other options for them to verify my identity remotely?

Elder Law Forms & Documents Long-distance Caregiving Power of Attorney (POA)

23 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

There is a lot of fraud particularly with senior citizens accounts.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to brandee

Report

So true. We were given the 3rd degree recently when doing some banking for ourselves. Wth? But, super happy if that is the standard process, it definitely protects your accounts and who can be unhappy with that? Even though it causes some inconvenience.

(1)

Report

Banks require in-person visits for two reasons. First to verify the validity of the documents. And second to ensure the principal's intentions and capacity. Your mother is the bank's customer and not you, OP. Accordingly, the bank has an obligation to protect its customer from potential fraud and misuse of POA documents. Yes, it's inconvenient for you but it protects both your mother and the bank.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to NYDaughterInLaw

Report

Please reread my response below. You will need to go to the bank in person and most likely will also need to have your Mom go with you (as was my personal recent experience with PNC Bank). Your Mom should be reimbursing you for your travel and wages lost while helping her. I know this isn't the answer you were hoping for. I would transfer her funds to a bank that makes more sense: one local to you or one local to her, not in a third state. Close that account.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to Geaton777

Report

Did you resolve your problem? How?

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to Harrylcnm

Report

Hello! I feel your frustration. I also have POA for my mother and called the bank (WA BofA) to see how I could have my own log in for her account. I was told that with my POA i am by law allowed to issue checks etc however in order to have my own log in and to access/utilize mobile banking for her account I would need to become co-owner and my mother would have to be present/in person to do this. Thankfully she is still in mid-stages of Alzheimer's but getting her to WA from OR is infrequent and challenging. The CSR also made it clear that logging in as her, even with my POA, is considered fraudulent. And as so many have said, banking institutions are simply protecting them, which I completely get, especially with all of the creeps that prey on each of us and especially our vulnerable aging family members. One of the many challenges... wishing everyone good luck with navigating all of this!

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to LaurelASmith

Report

Did you resolve your problem? How?

(0)

Report

My family and I do all our banking and investments online. As long as you have the passwords and a legal POA (in case anyone asks) the bank doesn’t know or care who’s actually doing the banking. Neither I nor anybody I interface with has been in a physical bank in years. Actually most of my banking is in the cloud and I don’t think they even have offices.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to Harrylcnm

Report

I’m really not sure how you can handle documents with your mother’s remote situation but now is the time to seek legal advice regarding POA. I know from my banking experience that banks generally do not accept copies of documents submitted remotely in order to protect customer identity.

Helpful Answer (2)

Reply to Patathome01

Report

I was my Aunt's PoA. Even though she was 105, we had a joint account at her small bank branch and they knew both of us by face. Yet, when she wanted to cash in her EE bonds, they would not let me do it for her -- I had to haul her in after she had just been in the ER 2 days prior for CHF. I was in the process of setting up in-home hospice. "Luckily" They didn't force me to get her out of the car. She had a stroke the next morning and passed at home 4 days later. Nice. So angry at PNC. Dopes.

They had all my PoA paperwork. I was a known quantity. This is something they could do via Zoom or FaceTime rather than schlepping sick elders to them. So dumb.

(4)

Report

Unless the bank being used has a branch in your state, or the branch or corporate office lets you meet by videoconference, you'll want to make the trip to her bank and get it done.
I set up notarized paperwork for my niece to be my POA for future plans. Our bank branch manager in North Carolina said my niece had to come into one of the branches with the paperwork and her ID. The branch manager said that the banking system has recently made things more difficult than just mailing the POA to the bank. She said this is for security reasons.

Helpful Answer (2)

Reply to JanPeck123

Report

LO1223: Retain an attorney.

Helpful Answer (1)

Reply to Llamalover47

Report

Call and talk to the bank manager.
This 'shouldn't' be a problem.

If you mail anything, send FedEx and of course make copies.
Everything likely needs to be notarized (which it is already).

Gena / Touch Matters

Helpful Answer (3)

Reply to TouchMatters

Report

I agree with those who suggest to have the bank generate a solution other than flying in. The POA was probably notarized and you could have your identity proven via some means acceptable to them. I've been dealing with this too. Some banks are a PITA but I have found People's Bank to be the most accommodating. Also CIBC.

Also, the new account and transferring the money is a viable solution because your mom can sign a check to move the money. If she she can.

Be glad you don't have a trust involved. The way my parents did theirs, my poa is virtually useless. I do everything online as much as I can, but I fly in 3 times a year to renew CDs for her and get her taxes prepared.

Helpful Answer (1)

Reply to Cindy13

Report

We had the same issue with my mother's bank (USBank) in Utah. My sister had to fly in from out of state and all three kids had to show up together in person to produce POA and trust documents and provide signatures for the account. Our situation was not only due to bank policies, but also a consequence of how my parents set up their trust and POA.

Helpful Answer (3)

Reply to elcee499

Report

Yes. I had in the beginning no idea how and what to do, as well, and got only the POA. Turns out I needed Trustee for the Trust and POA for all else. It sure was a process. Expensive as well.

(2)

Report

Can you open an online account just under your mother’s name at current bank? You could then open another bank under both your names. I opened a joint account under CIT bank. It is all online and I didn’t have show POA. I transferred money from old bank to CIT. I did this because CIT has high savings interest.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to Sami1966

Report

Can your mother sign a card with the bank making you a joint owner and signatory on the account and send it all in with copies of driver's licenses and social security cards. That way you will have access to the account. I am now also wondering if your mother ever set up online banking. If she did, then you can just act like you are her (online) and do it that way. If she doesn't have an online account, then you can set one up for her and handle the accounts that way.

Helpful Answer (2)

Reply to Evonne1954

Report

The banks’ brick and mortar branches do request original documents instead of copies to reduce fraud risks. Anyone can claim a loved one’s assistance by remote method. Remember 9/11? Compliance has been updated forever to protect everyone from possible fraudulent activity.

As with the Medallion document I think many banks stopped doing them due to limited staff issues, forcing customers to seek help from a separate notary service when it is best convenient to be right at the branch with co-employees to execute documents by witnessing.

(1)

Report

Poa gives you option to generate a code ( or does here)
that code enables them to view the poa
they don’t need a copy
in fact here in U.K. says don’t give copies
call poa and check

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to Jenny10

Report

Boy, that sounds like a good idea and a lot easier. Makes much more sense.

(1)

Report

I feel your frustrations. Banks are required to have these annoying restrictions due to so much fraud. Anyone can claim they're a POA. Especially a bank that never saw that person's face. Not sure why someone at your mom's bank have a video conference with you?
I was my mom's court appointed guardian and handled her finances. Wesbanco froze my mom's account after she passed away and now I am receiving checks to her estate. I have to go to city hall to pay $200 and file a petition of probate and become the administrator of her estate to just deposit checks. Also, I will be paying $5000 for inheritance tax. In a perfect world. I hope your mom has a will. She should add you to all her accounts.

Helpful Answer (2)

Reply to Onlychild2024

Report

On the bright side, probate court did not require you to post a bond! And you find that all the Bail Bondsman offices are right by the jail. It’s 24 hrs of continuous adventures type of place.

(1)

Report

I had the same problem here in FL. To be honest it is probably better to spend the 400. My mothers bank didn’t like the POA because it didn’t state if it was done online or in person. Banks have their own rules that vary state to state. After going back and forth I finally gave up dealing with the POA and had to go for guardianship which cost thousands of dollars. If the bank is willing to give you access after going in person that might be the way to go. I think someone said it in the comments already but by any chance does this bank have share access. Even though my credit union is in NJ, other credit union work with mine in FL. I can give them paperwork that they verify and then send it to mine

Helpful Answer (2)

Reply to Toddpm

Report

It’s not only flights expenses. It’s also hidden cost related to travel, such as lodging and food besides baggage fees and local transportation to and from airports that’ll still beat legal costs down the road. I wish much luck.

(2)

Report

When I became joint owner with my dad for investment account, I had to get a medallion signature guarantee from a bank to verify me. I wonder if that can be used for banks as well?

Helpful Answer (3)

Reply to Arkh64

Report

If the OPs moms bank does not participate in Medallion, then that option is a dead end.

(2)

Report

See 1 more reply

Find a different bank, if possible. Responsiveness to PoA is simply another criteria upon which to choose a bank. Some banks are terrible, some are easy. I’ve had good luck with Fidelity.

Helpful Answer (0)

Reply to rasputin0

Report

I'm in MN and my Aunt's bank was PNC in SE FL and they were totally inflexible. So was my Aunt's firm that had her annuity. They wanted a medallion stamp along with my PoA paperwork (and signed affadivit, etc), which banks don't even do anymore. So I told them they had to come up with a solution because the stamp was not an option, just like you flying to be there in person isn't an option.

Ask them how they will solve the problem they created for you. If you express it like this then it puts the ball in their court. That's how the annuity company came up with a do-able solution for me.

Helpful Answer (6)

Reply to Geaton777

Report

My father's credit union bent over backwards to be helpful. Bank of America went above and beyond to be unhelpful and difficult. My father was moving into Assisted Living and I wanted to change his address so the statements would go to my house instead of his old apartment or the Assisted Living. I brought him to the local branch which was no easy feat. They wouldn't even talk to us. Wanted proof he lived at my home with a bill at that address. Of course he doesn't live there, I am his POA and just need his mail to come to me. They would not accept my POA drawn up by the lawyer. They had a 100 page document I needed to fill out and send in. The problem was it was only good for that one department it was sent to so if it was needed for a different financial matter handled by this bank the original POA was not good. It was just a joke dealing with them.

Helpful Answer (3)

Reply to lkdrymom

Report

I ONLY bank with credit unions. Of course, my mom's bank is a big traditional bank that is being the PITA. Thankfully, the account we opened for her in WI is a credit union. I made sure of that.

(3)

Report

Ask your bank if they can help you deal with this.

I imagine it would be possible as both banks operate under the same rules, so they could verify everything in person and transmit documents straight to the WA banks legal department.

Can't hurt to ask.

Best of luck, this type of thing is becoming rampant as fraud is being perpetrated in every imaginable way and institutions are scrambling to protect everyone involved, them and us.

Helpful Answer (7)

Reply to Isthisrealyreal

Report

Thank you! I had this thought after posting my question, that maybe my bank could verify me in person for my mom's bank. I speak to the bank's manager tomorrow, so we shall see.

(3)

Report

See 1 more reply

Firstly, in the banks defense. Handing a piece of paper to a bank, mailing it, and saying "give me access to all mom's money?" Nope. They won't do that. Because tomorrow I could send them another piece of paper saying "I am the REAL daughter and here's my papers" . The banks are attempting to protect your mom. And you may be in future paying a good deal more than 400.00. I sure did.

Yes, this is going to be a problem.
I thought banks were the worst until I dealt with investment companies.
Banks are VERY very uptight about a POA and it must be done (in my experience) well, by an ATTORNEY, and completely. You must show up there. As my brother was in SoCAL and I was in NoCal, I was lucky that this was A) US BANK with branches in both B) That both my brother and I could attend at his bank there and I could arrange his accounts to be managed here in SF. There were Trusts and CDs involved here as well as his checking account, and he had banked there for years. And the amount was substantial, giving us a "Personal Banker" (who I will treasure forever for his personal help).
In short, getting a POA up and running is going to mean sending each entity what it wants, it will be a nightmare (I was managing Trust and CD so was POA and Trustee, making it worse) for one year or so. Once you get it all slotting in, all the mail is coming to you, and you are the signee it is done, and runs smoothly for the most part, though when Spectrum mistakenly removed his phone instead of the one next door in the deceased woman's room it took me from 1030 a.m. to 4:30 pm to fix it with many calls over seems like every state in the country and a few countries. It is said to be ever so much WORSE now (this was 2020) with outsourcing.

I truly wish you luck. I would never do this again. In fact I was online to be POA and Trustee should my partner die before me, and I got that changed right away when my brother died. I would not do this again. I am in my 80s now (was 78 then) and no way. No way.
I can't say I didn't learn a lot. Boy, was that a learning curve. But, like most things it was learning the hard way.

If you speak with a banking officer and there is no other way ask if a Licensed Fiduciary can help here.
There MUST be a way. But it won't be easy and it won't be without expense. As you may know you can sell a home long distance now without ever showing up, with signature verification and title companies and so on.

I really wish I had more hope for you here, and I hope you find a way. Do update us.

Helpful Answer (4)

Reply to AlvaDeer

Report

I very much appreciate your thorough reply. I absolutely do understand the need to verify my identity...I would hope that they are being strict to avoid fraud. But there HAS to be a way to verify my identity here. I mean, right?! My stepfather's son lives in Israel right now working for a defense contractor. He's there for 4 years and won't be coming home before his time is up there. If roles were reversed and he had had to manage his father's affairs as POA, would they expect him to fly to the US just to walk into a bank branch? I'm being dramatic and a bit salty, I know. It's just crazy to me that this isn't a somewhat regular occurrence that they have procedures in place for. I speak to the bank manager tomorrow - I will suggest what another responder said (having my own bank verify my identity and take the notarized POA to get to their legal department), or what you said (Licensed Fiduciary - I'll need to look that up ;)). Worst case scenario, there is a branch of this bank 2.5 hours from me in PA. Actually, worst case would be they still make me come back to originating branch in WA. So PA would be lesser worst case.

(2)

Report

Bank wants in-person submission of POA but I live out of state.

23 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions