Some banks offer joint accounts for 3 or more people. You’ll each get your own debit card linked to the account, and there generally aren’t extra charges or fees for this. This comparison is for personal accounts – we also have a joint business bank accounts guide. Our comparison table shows accounts that can be joint accounts, and below that, we’ve listed how many account holders or additional cardholders each bank allows.
A joint bank account allows multiple joint account holders to deposit and withdraw money. Joint accounts most commonly have two account holders, but it is possible to have more. You can open a joint bank account with three, four or five people, or even more.
For current accounts, each account holder will have their own debit card that will let them make purchases and withdraw cash at ATMs. Each account holder will also be able to access the account online or via an app to transfer funds and keep an eye on transactions.
Joint bank accounts compared
To compile the information in the below table, we checked each bank’s website and terms and conditions, and also contacted the providers’ press teams where necessary.
Bank
Account name
Max no. of account holders
Can you convert a sole to a joint account?
Both-to-sign account?
Bank of Scotland
Classic Account
2
Yes
No
Barclays
Barclays Bank Account
4*
Yes
No
Co-operative Bank
Current Account
3
Yes
No
First Direct
1st Account
2
Yes
No
Halifax
Current Account
2
Yes
No
HSBC
Advance Bank Account
6
Yes
No
Lloyds Bank
Classic Account
2
Yes
No
Metro Bank
Current Account
4
Yes
No
Nationwide BS
FlexDirect Current Account
2
Yes
No
NatWest
NatWest Select
2
Yes
No
Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank Select
2
Yes
No
Starling Bank
Starling Personal
2
No
No
TSB
Spend & Save
5
Yes
No
Virgin Money
M Plus Account
2
No
No
*Barclays says: “There is no restriction on the number of parties that can set up a joint account with Barclays, though our recommendation is no more than 4 parties do so.” The data in this table was last checked on 7 March 2024.
Additional cardholders
When conducting our research, we discovered that two of the above providers also enable you to add additional cardholders to your account. These cardholders are not joint account holders and won’t have full access to the account. The money in the account doesn’t belong to them (as it would with a joint account) and the account will only be in your name.
For example, Starling Bank has a Connected card that you can give to a friend, family member or carer so they can buy whatever you need on your behalf. The money will come out of a designated Space in your bank account which means the additional cardholder won’t be able to access your whole account. Nor can they check the balance, withdraw cash or shop online.
Meanwhile, Barclays lets you give up to 4 extra debit cards to other people which enable them to spend from your account. The additional cardholders can use their card for spending in shops, over the phone and online, as well as for cash withdrawals. But you can set spending limits and control the cards at all times. You can set up this service through the app, but the cardholders must already bank with Barclays.
Having an extra cardholder could be ideal if you have a carer who needs to shop on your behalf or if you were ill and needed a friend to buy essentials for you. It means someone else can still access the funds in your account, and you can stay in control of what is spent where.
Note that this is different to setting up a third party mandate which is a formal instruction from you to your bank or building society informing them that you want someone else to carry out everyday banking transactions on your behalf.
Account supervisors
Barclays also offers something known as an account supervisor. This works in a similar way to an additional cardholder, but you can give your friend or family member extra access to your account. This means they can see your balance as well as transactions, and you can choose to let them set controls on your debit card if you wish to.
This can be a good option if you are concerned about scams or need help controlling your spending. Your friend or family member can help you manage your banking without the need to hand over full control of your account.
How do I compare accounts that allow multiple joint account holders?
If you want to open an account with 2 or more others, consider the following when comparing your options:
Account maintenance fees. Look for an account with low or no monthly account fees.
Transaction limits and fees. With several people accessing the account, there may be a lot more transactions than with a single account. Make sure you’re not charged any unnecessary transaction fees.
ATM withdrawal fees. Look for an account that offers fee-free ATM withdrawals, so you’re not hit with a fee each time one of the account holders withdraws some cash.
Easy online access. Check the account is easily accessible for everyone on the account, for example with an easy-to-use mobile banking app.
Number of linked debit cards. If more than two people need a linked debit card, make sure you’re not charged extra fees for the additional ones.
Pros and cons of having a joint account with multiple people
Pros
Easy money management. If you share a lot of expenses with a number of people, it can be easier if you all have access to the one bank account to manage them.
Transparent. Because you can all access the account online it’s easy to see who’s transferring or withdrawing money and for what.
Accessible in an emergency. With more than two joint holders, the account is accessible even if one of the account holders is unavailable.
Cons
Less secure. Other account holders can withdraw money without your consent.
Difficult to manage. With multiple individuals making deposits and withdrawals into your account you may find it difficult to keep track of the balance.
May impact your credit score. Opening a joint bank account can sometimes have a negative impact on your credit file, as the credit history of those you’ll be linked to via the joint account will be accessible to potential future lenders. If the people you’re opening the account with have had problems with repayments in the past, this can also impact on your creditworthiness.
How to open a mutiple-holder bank account
When you’ve selected an account from the table above, click “Go to site” to check that the account allows the number of people you want to share it with, then complete the online application process. Each account holder will need to provide personal information. Banks may also require you to verify your identity using a passport or driver’s licence. From time to time, banks often run switching offers that pay you to close down your old account and switch to a new one. This can also apply to joint bank accounts.
Common reasons for opening an account for multiple people
The need for more than two joint account holders most often arises in business situations, where partners, treasurers and other bookkeepers all need to be able to move money in and out of the account. In the case of youth accounts, it is not uncommon to find both parents listed as account holders as well as the child. This ensures that in the event that one parent is absent, the account is still accessible.
People also commonly open joint accounts with:
Roommates to pay for shared living expenses and rent
Business partners so multiple employees can make deposits and withdrawals (See our guide on joint business bank accounts)
Generally, one person can close a joint bank account without the other’s permission. But some banks have stricter rules that require all joint owners to provide consent before closing. If you’re concerned about having the account closed without you knowing, look for a bank that requires all parties to close the account together.
Bottom line
While 2 is the most common number when it comes to joint accounts, several banks allow you to add a third account holder or additional card holder. Compare savings accounts or current accounts to find one with the features you’re looking for before getting started.
Frequently asked questions
Usually no, though some banks will have accounts that allow for removal. Check with your bank to find out more.
Most joint accounts are set up to transfer ownership to the surviving account holder(s) using a legal principle called “survivorship”. But certain types of joint accounts may be frozen or closed – the best thing to do is check with your bank.
Yes, most banks will let you turn your existing bank account into a joint account by adding someone.
Banking scores
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Matthew Boyle is a banking and mortgages publisher at Finder. He has a 7-year history of publishing helpful guides to assist consumers in making better decisions. In his spare time, you will find him walking in the Norfolk countryside admiring the local wildlife. See full bio
Matthew's expertise
Matthew has written 244 Finder guides across topics including:
Helping first-time buyers apply for a mortgage
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