Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you or your loved ones might need a hand managing finances. Whether it's because of health changes, shifts in decision-making abilities, or just planning ahead, having a reliable person to help with your Monzo account can really lighten the load. That’s where trusted access comes in. It’s also called third party authority or third party access.
What is trusted access?
Trusted access is a simple way to allow someone else to manage your bank account. You get to decide who this trusted person is and specify what they can do – like paying bills or checking your balance. It’s essentially giving control to someone you trust, ensuring your finances are in safe hands if you need an extra bit of help.
The key thing to remember?
The money is still yours alone. This isn't like having a joint account; it’s just about sharing some of the responsibility. This makes it easier to keep your finances running smoothly if you need a helping hand.
Exploring your options for trusted access
Informal access
Informal access is a great option if you still have the mental capacity to make your own decisions and can give informed consent, but want a trusted friend or family member to help you manage your account.
We have two types of Informal Access available:
View-only access: Your trusted person is authorised to speak to our team and review your account. If they have their own account, they'll be able to see your balances and transactions in the app.
Custom access: Your trusted person is authorised to speak to our team and raise queries on your behalf. If they have their own account, you can choose from a list of features and permissions to give them - like turning on payment notifications, getting a card and making payments from your account.
See below for details of the access and features we can offer:
Feature | Informal access | Formal access |
See your account balance Including any overdraft, if you have one. | ✅ | ✅ |
See your transactions Money coming in and going out of your account. | ✅ | ✅ |
See your account details View your sort code, account number and IBAN. | ✅ | ✅ |
Get copies of your statements Ask our support team for copies of your statements. | ✅ | ✅ |
Report disputes Report card or bank transfer disputes for you. | ✅ | ✅ |
Raise complaints Raise complaints with our support team for you. | ✅ | ✅ |
See your Pots See your Pot names, balances and transactions. | ➕ Optional - view only | ✅ Optional - view only |
Get payment notifications Receives a notification whenever you make a payment. | ➕ Optional - view only | ➕ Optional - can be turned off |
Make payments Make transfers and set up standing orders, up to £250 a day and £1,000 a week. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Use a debit card linked to your account They can use it to spend up to £250 a day and £1,000 a week. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Manage direct debits Contact our support team to cancel Direct Debits. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Change your payment limits Contact our support team to change your payment limits. Dependant on additional security checks. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
See a gambling block Check whether you've turned on a gambling block. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Turn on a gambling block Turn on a gambling block to help stop gambling payments. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Manage borrowing Speak to our support team about your borrowing, like loans or credit cards. They can also set up payment plans and other support if you need it. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
View and pay off borrowing Pay off loans, overdrafts, credit cards and other borrowing using money from your account. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Manage your investments View and manage investments, where applicable. | ➕ Optional | ✅ Included - view and manage |
Manage your pension View and manage pensions, where applicable. | ➕ Optional | ✅ |
Manage your insurance View and manage insurance products, where applicable. | ❌ | ✅ |
Manage your mortgages View and manage mortgage products, where applicable. | ❌ | ✅ |
Manage subscriptions and linked accounts Manage subscriptions and Connected Accounts, where applicable. | ❌ | ✅ |
Add or remove payees The person helping you can't add or remove payees. | ❌ | ✅ |
Apply for borrowing The person helping you can't apply for loans, overdrafts or credit for you. | ❌ | ❌ |
Please note: The optional features listed above are only available if your trusted person has a Monzo account. If they don’t have their own Monzo account, they will only be able to support you by contacting us via phone or email. From October, people without a Monzo account can use Trusted Access in the app. If you set up access before then, you'll need to contact us to move to the in-app experience.
Formal access
Formal access is usually based on a legal document, and the names and requirements for those documents vary based on where you live.
For example, lasting power of attorney and deputyship court order both need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, an enduring power of attorney must be registered with the Office of Care and Protection (OCP) before we can activate it.
For more advice, visit the Citizens Advice website. You can also reach out to our dedicated Life Events team with any questions.
Your responsibilities if you’re managing someone else’s account
We’ve written this blog to explain what options you have as a Monzo customer giving someone else access to your account, but of course this is also useful information if you’re the one trying to help!
Your main responsibility is to make decisions for the person who appointed you.
Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Always prioritise the donor’s best interests, making choices that reflect their wishes and instructions as closely as possible. Stick to the limits of your authority and avoid taking any actions that could create a conflict of interest.
Support the donor in making their own decisions whenever possible by offering clear information and a comfortable setting for discussions.
Consider their beliefs and past behaviour when deciding what’s best for them. It’s also wise to consult with their family, friends and carers when it makes sense.
Remember, you were chosen for this important role, so act with care and integrity.
If you’re ready to give or get access, you can start by filling out our online form.
If you have any questions, you can email us at lifeevents@monzo.com and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.