How to Add Someone to Your Bank Account

Are you thinking of adding someone to your bank account? Managing shared finances through a joint account with your spouse, children, or business partner can foster a streamlined and secure financial setup. Furthermore, research indicates that sharing a bank account with your partner can lead to a better quality relationship. While the process of adding someone seems like a hassle, it is not as complicated as it sounds. Each bank may have its own procedures, but we’ve outlined the steps typically involved in adding someone to your account.

⚠️ Be careful with who you add to your bank account. According to the terms of joint ownership, adding someone to your bank account grants them full access, eliminating the need for your input or approval for transactions. It’s crucial to note that once added, individuals cannot be easily removed from your account, emphasizing the importance of selecting trustworthy and responsible individuals.

How to Add Someone To Your Bank Account’

When you decide to add someone to your bank account, you’re essentially turning your existing checking or savings account into a joint one, providing access to all account holders. This process generally involves these steps:

1. Visit the bank together or make a joint call. Some banks or credit unions also allow you to do it online.
2. Ask to include the person in your savings or checking account.
3. The person must show their proof of identification to the bank and share basic details like birth date and Social Security number.
4. Depending on the bank, you can create individual online profiles or share one and customize alerts as needed.

Below are the steps to add someone to your bank account online or through a bank visit. We’ve outlined the process for each well-known financial institution:

Bank of America

Adding someone to your Bank of America account requires completing the following steps:

1. Go to the “Account Changes” page on the Bank of America website.
2. Choose your account type and the specific changes you wish to make.
3. Bank of America will provide information on the required documents and details you must bring to the appointment for a swift update.
4. Schedule your financial center appointment.
5. Show up for your appointment with the necessary documents.

In most cases, a brief appointment at your local financial center is sufficient. Visit your financial center with the necessary documents, and the team will guide you through the update process. Alternatively, if a financial center isn’t accessible to you, contact Bank of America at 800-432-1000.

Wells Fargo

Adding someone to your Wells Fargo bank account is a simple process – just visit a Wells Fargo branch together with the person you want to add and make a request. To incorporate a power of attorney (POA) into your account, sign the Wells Fargo Power of Attorney form (applicable for mortgage and home equity accounts) or present a pre-existing POA document at any Wells Fargo branch.

Chase Bank

Adding someone to your Chase Bank account involves the following steps:

1. Check account requirements to review eligibility:
   1. Log in to your Chase Bank online account.
   2. Click on the “Checking & Savings” tab.
   3. Go to your checking account to access more details.
   4. Under the account details, look for information about joint account holders or additional account holders.
   5. If you cannot find any information or the option to add joint account holders, visit a Chase branch or contact customer service for further assistance.
2. Reach out to Chase Bank customer service through a phone call, online chat, or visit a Chase branch to request adding someone to your bank account.
3. Submit the necessary documentation required of you. These may include the joint account application form, identification documents, Social Security numbers, proof of address, proof of relationship, and any additional documentation.

U.S. Bank

For U.S. Bank users, adding someone to your checking account involves simply calling U.S. Bank at the number on the back of your credit card or their general number, 800-285-8585. Then, follow these steps:

1. Talk to a banker and express your desire to add a joint owner.
2. They will mail you a form to be completed so they can review the request.
3. Once received, fill out the section applicable to you and provide your signature.
4. Have the potential joint owner complete their part and add their signature.
5. Optional: While it’s not required, make a copy of the completed document for your records.
6. Submit the completed form and wait for the completion of the review.

Upon approval, they will send a card in the joint owner’s name and a copy of the Cardmember Agreement. If declined, a letter explaining the reasons will be sent.

Citizens Bank

As a Citizens Bank user, adding a joint owner to your account is easy and can take less than five minutes by following these steps:

1. Ensure the joint owner can provide their Social Security number, personal details, and additional information to verify their identity.
2. Next, sign in to access your account.
3. Select “Add Joint Owner” from the Manage Accounts menu.
4. Choose the account(s) you want to add that individual to and follow the prompts to complete the process.

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Huntington Bank

For existing Huntington Bank users, adding someone to your account involves the following steps:

1. Visit any Huntington branch. Both parties must be present.
2. Bring your Social Security number/card and U.S. government-issued ID.
3. Request to add someone to your account and follow their process.

TD Bank

For a seamless process of adding someone to your TD Bank account, do the following:

1. Schedule an appointment to visit a TD Bank branch.
2. You’ll be required to present proof of identification and provide your birth date, Social Security number, and current address.
3. During the appointment, a dedicated TD representative will work closely with you and the individual you intend to add. They will guide you through the whole process.

PNC Bank

Adding someone to your PNC bank account involves the following:

1. Visit a PNC Bank branch and make a request to add someone as a joint owner to your account.
2. Both parties may be required to present proof of identification and provide your birth date, contact number, Social Security number, and mailing address.

Bell Bank

To add someone to your bank account with Bell Bank, follow these steps:

1. Stop by any of their bank locations.
2. Make sure to be ready to provide the bank with information, including your proof of identification, Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth.

Risks to Consider When Adding Someone To Your Bank Account

Just because you can add someone to your bank account doesn’t necessarily mean it’s advisable. While joint accounts come with benefits, they also come with associated risks. The Sift 2023 Index Report indicates a 354% year-over-year increase in Account Takeover (ATO) attacks. Additionally, 29% of respondents highlighted bank or credit accounts as top targets for account takeover. Sharing an account means granting full access, emphasizing the importance of cautious decision-making in selecting individuals with whom you share your account.

Additionally, you must consider the tax implications of adding someone to a bank account. These include shared income and possible tax liabilities. Joint account holders may be required to account for shared assets and report relevant interest income on their tax returns. Moreover, if the other account holder faces outstanding tax obligations or legal issues, you could be responsible for their debt. These challenges may impact the overall financial standing of the joint account.

To proactively address the risks associated with joint accounts and protect your financial standing, consider signing up for Cushion. This not only aids in building your credit profile with transactions but also provides effective expense management, preventing overspending and late payments. Cushion.ai is a valuable tool for maintaining financial discipline and ensuring a stable and secure financial environment for all parties involved in the joint account.

Alternative: Sharing Access or Adding Guest Users To Your Bank Account

If the idea of a joint bank account seems unnecessary for your unique circumstances, but you still want to grant some access to a person you trust, sharing access is an alternative worth exploring. Instead of merging finances completely, sharing access allows you to maintain individual accounts while selectively granting specific privileges. This offers flexibility and control, allowing you to tailor the level of access without the full commitment of a joint account.

Here are some banks that allow sharing access or adding authorized users to your account:

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo allows online banking customers to add guest users to their accounts. These guest users can check the account balance, download up to 18 months of transaction history, view and request copies of checks and statements, and access other account information. To manage guest users, follow these steps:

1. Sign on to Wells Fargo Online.
2. Go to “Security & Support.”
3. Click on “Account Access Manager.”
4. Select the “Guest Users” tab.
5. There, you can view, add, edit, or delete access of guest users at any time.

Chase Bank

Chase offers the option to set up multiple authorized users with their unique ID and password. This allows them access only to the accounts and services you designate. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Log in to your Chase account.
2. Go to “Account Management” and select “Access & Security Manager.”
3. Review the information and click on “Add user.”
4. Share the provided username with your authorized user. They will receive an email from Chase containing a temporary password for their initial login.
5. To assign rights, select the access level for each account.
6. Depending on the chosen access level, opt for some, all, or none of the additional services offered. Set daily limits as needed.
7. Click “Next” when done, then select “Next” again to confirm.
8. Manage your authorized user information, security settings, and access rights anytime through the “Access & Security Manager” dashboard.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank allows you to add a Share Access user.

1. Go to “Profile & settings,” located at the top of the page, and select “Manage profile & settings.”
2. Click on “Edit login preferences” within Login preferences, then proceed to “Manage” to the right of Share Access.
3. Select “Add user” to enter the Shared Access user’s first and last name.
4. Choose how you want them to view your account by selecting the applicable radio button.
5. Select “Continue” to choose which accounts they will have access to. Select the accounts and choose “Continue” to review the confirmation screen.
6. Review the “Terms and Conditions,” then select “Submit” to send the invitation.

Huntington Bank

Huntington Bank allows you to share your accounts with an authorized user. It follows a straightforward process, so follow these steps for a seamless experience:

1. Log into your online banking account and look for “Access Sharing” in your Profile at the top of the page.
2. Click “Enroll” to initiate Access Sharing.
3. On the Access Sharing page, read the Terms & Conditions and press “Continue.”
4. Choose “Add a User.”
5. On the Add A New User page, enter the name, email address, and contact number of the user you wish to grant access. Then, press “Continue.”
6. On the Choose Accounts page, pick the account(s) the new user will access. Then, select “Continue.”
7. Review and verify the information entered. Once confirmed, press “Continue.”
8. Read the Terms & Conditions, then click “Submit.”

For more instructions on managing users with sharing access, follow this Access Sharing User Guide from Huntington Bank.

Alternatively, if you seek support for managing transactions without necessarily sharing your bank account with someone, try using Cushion. Our app is tailored to assist you in overseeing your bills and recurring expenses so you don’t have to worry about missing payments and late fees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best bank for couples?

As of February 2024, Business Insider recommends Qapital Goals Account for couples. This account is particularly appealing if you’re searching for innovative, flexible saving tools—whether on your own or with a partner. Its Dream Team feature is a standout, providing couples a shared view of each other’s banking activities while maintaining individual account autonomy. Although finding the “best” bank can be subjective to the features you are looking for, you can also consider Ally Spending. It doesn’t have any monthly service fees and offers a $0 minimum deposit requirement.

Who owns a joint account when one person dies?

The surviving account holder maintains ownership regardless of the contributor of the funds, and the account avoids the probate process. At the moment of death, the joint owner assumes both legal and equitable ownership of all funds in the joint account.

What proof is required for a joint bank account?

Opening a joint bank account requires proof of identification for both account owners. These may include a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. The bank would also request your date of birth, Social Security number, and current address.

Bottomline

Adding someone to your bank account is a straightforward process. Head to your nearest bank branch or use the online option some banks offer. Make your request and be sure to bring necessary documents such as proof of identification, Social Security number, address, and contact number. Alternatively, many banks offer the option of shared access, allowing specific privileges without the need for a joint account.