Letter To Bank For Change In Authorised Person Template for England and Wales

A letter to change the authorised person on a bank account is a short, formal request that tells your bank who should be removed as a signatory and who should be added. To write one, state the account name, account number and sort code, name the person being removed, give the full details of the new authorised person, set out their powers and any limits, and add the date the change should take effect. This section explains the format, what to include, and how to send it.

How do you write a letter to change a bank account signatory?

Keep the letter to one page and follow a standard business-letter format. Address it to your branch manager or your bank's account services team, quote the bank name, branch and the account name, account number and sort code near the top, and give a clear reason for the request (for example a director leaving, a new financial controller joining, or a change of authorised representative). Use a clear subject line so the request is routed correctly, for example "Change of authorised person on account [number]". State who is being removed as an authorised person, who is being added, exactly what they can do on the account, any spending or transaction limits, and the effective date. Close with the signatures of the existing authorised signatories so the bank can confirm the change is agreed. If you are a business, the current account details and the person's role should match your latest records.

What should the letter include?

A complete request letter usually covers the following.

• Your name or organisation name, address and the date.
• The bank name and the branch or department it is going to.
• A clear subject line describing the change request.
• The full account name, account number and sort code, and whether it is a current or savings account.
• The reason for the change and the effective date.
• The current authorised person being removed.
• The new authorised person's full name, position, contact details and, where relevant, a mobile number.
• The scope of authority granted and any limitations.
• Signatures of all existing authorised signatories.

Sample letter to change a bank account signatory

Here is a short sample you can adapt. Replace the bracketed details with your own.

[Your name / organisation and address]
[Date]
The Branch Manager, [Bank name], [Account branch]
Subject: Change of authorised person on account [account number]
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hold a [current / savings] account with you in the name of [account name], account number [account number], sort code [sort code]. Please remove [name] as an authorised signatory and add [new person's full name and position], with authority to [scope, e.g. operate the account and authorise payments up to £X], effective from [effective date]. We enclose the documents you require to verify the new signatory. This request is signed by all existing authorised signatories below.
Yours faithfully,
[Signatures]

When do you need this document?

You'll need this letter whenever your organisation experiences staff changes, restructuring, or updates to signing authorities. Common situations include when a company director leaves, a new financial controller joins, or when a business partnership changes. Personal account holders may need it when granting power of attorney, changing authorised representatives due to illness or incapacity, or updating family members who can access accounts. Banks require formal written notification to protect themselves from liability and to keep up to date records under anti-money laundering rules.

Key legal considerations

Your letter must include comprehensive account details, including the full account number, sort code and account name to prevent confusion. You must clearly identify all current authorised signatories being removed and provide complete details of new authorised persons, including their full names, positions and contact information. The document should specify the exact scope of authorisation, detailing what financial powers the new person will have and any limitations on their authority. Include an effective date for when changes should take place, and ensure all existing authorised signatories sign the letter to confirm their agreement. Banks may require additional documentation, such as board resolutions for companies or proof of identity for new authorised persons. Where a director's authority is changing, a shareholder agreement or board minutes may set out who can bind the company.

Can you send the letter by email or post?

Most banks accept a scanned, signed letter by email or through secure online banking, and some still ask for the original by post. Check your bank's preferred channel before you send. If the bank needs signatures witnessed or verified in branch, arrange that in advance so the account change isn't held up. Keep a copy of what you send and note the date, so you can follow up if the change to the account isn't confirmed within the bank's stated timescale.

Can I use a free template for this letter?

Yes. This template gives you a ready-to-use format you can adapt to your own account details and circumstances, whether you're removing an old signatory or adding a new authorised person. Fill in the account name, number and sort code, the people involved, the powers granted and the effective date, then have the existing signatories sign. If you handle several account or contract changes, you can browse related documents in the template library.