Looking for an online bank that will set up a representative payee account to manage Mother's affairs from a distance?

I think most banks do. One thing I would consider is setting up an account with my own bank to receive automatic payments for my mother. Most banks have online and mobile account management now, so the account could be managed online.

A checking account that receives electronic, automatic deposits often waives the fees, or fees are waived if one person is over 62, or 65.
Even with online banking, it is important for me to be able to use the phone to get balances and recent transaction, or transfer between accounts.
Then, there is always that unavoidable trip to the actual bank.
So I would advise getting a bank large enough to have a branch in both person's area, closeby.
Most would not agree with my way of doing banking, and say that online meets all their needs. But I am a person that if I want my money today, then I am not waiting for the bank or internet to do their thing.

I know the banking system is different here in Canada, but I agree with Sendme, I'd rather use a bricks and mortar bank with internet capabilities than one that is solely available online, it's hard enough to iron out problems when you can go and speak to someone face to face, i worry it would be a nightmare in cyberspace.

I would set this up in person, since it is a rep payee account. I wouldn't know how to do it online, to tell the truth. It will be in your name as the rep payee. I wouldn't want to guess how to set it up in the right way.

This isn't very informative. It is from the SSA about setting up an account. The last sentence is what I would be most concerned about.

"A checking account is better in some ways, because you will have cancelled checks or statements that show how you spent the funds. If you decide to use a checking account, consider that some beneficiaries cannot keep balances high enough to avoid service charges. But if you must pay bills through the mail, a checking account might still be cost effective because cashier's checks and money orders have charges associated with them, as well. You should set up an account that minimizes fees and enables you to keep clear records. We encourage using interest-bearing accounts. You must title the bank account so it is clear the money in the account belongs to the beneficiary."

I thought that only Social Security office could approve Representative Payee for social security funds.

https://www.ssa.gov/payee/

Do you have PNC in your area? We used them. Their customer service isn't what it was years ago, and they've added fees. But they were able to set up the acct.

We have a LifeGreen account with Regions for my mother. The checking account pays interest, but it is a joke. She gets about 3 cents a month. The space it takes to record it in the ledger probably cost more than the interest. :) Interest is a joke these days. Banking online is easy. Bills can be paid and transfers made from one account to another. The only time I have to go to the bank is to get some petty cash or to draft money from my BOA business account to my personal account (separate from mother's).

Wow thank you, everybody has been very helpful! I agree that it would be better for me to set up this kind of account in person with a local bank that is large enough to have a branch where she lives (branch to branch transfers for funds for her personal use) and would provide online banking services.

Oh, just to add, we set up the acct in person but they allow on-line banking. Are you trying to find a bank that will allow you to open the account on-line, or just manage it on-line?