Compare joint bank accounts for 3, 4 and more people

Need a bank account for a bigger crew? Find out which banks say yes to extra account holders, and what you need to know before opening a joint account.

This comparison is for personal accounts – we also have a joint business bank accounts guide.

TSB Spend & Save

8.2 Great

Minimum opening balance	£0
Account fees	£0
Interest (AER)	0% AER

see dealRead review

Earn up to £30 cashback - £5 per month for 6 months, making 20 debit card payments per calendar month (excludes cash withdrawals).

Up to 5 people can open the TSB Spend and Save account together. The account has no monthly fee and you’ll earn £5 cashback each month you make at least 20 debit card payments, for the first 6 months. It's worth noting that only one cashback payment will be added to the account, so you'll all have to share. You can also set money aside in different savings pots which can be useful for household budgeting, plus the Save the Pennies feature rounds up all debit card payments to the nearest £1 and transfers the difference into your savings. You’ll also have the option of an overdraft. Accounts can be opened in just 15 minutes and managed online, via mobile banking or over the phone.

Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.9% EAR variable.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Earn cashback as you spend
  • Competitive monthly saver
  • Save the Pennies feature

  Cons

  • Cashback on Save and Spend account expires after six months
  • Interest charged on overdrafts

• More details

  Minimum opening balance	£0
  Minimum operating balance	£0
  Switch service guarantee	Yes
  Account fees	£0
  Overseas card transactions	Europe: 2.99% Elsewhere: 2.99% plus flat fee of £1

Minimum opening balance	£0
Account fees	£0
Interest (AER)	0% AER

see dealRead review

Joint bank accounts compared

How many people can have a joint bank account together?

Despite most banks having a maximum allowance of 2 joint holders when opening a bank account, there are several banks and accounts that allow more joint names on the account. You can open a joint bank account with 2, 3, 4, 5 or more people depending on the bank. No matter how many joint owners, each person can deposit and withdraw funds. HSBC’s Advance Bank Account allows up to 6 account holders, while TSB’s Spend and Save account offers up to 5 account holders. Other banks also provide features such as additional cardholders and account supervisors, which we explain below.

Additional cardholders

When conducting our research, we discovered that 2 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 other people, 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 2 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

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 including switching deals from TSB.

Common reasons for opening an account for multiple people

The need for more than 2 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)
• Family members as an emergency fund
• Friends to pay for an upcoming holiday
• Romantic partners to combine finances

Who can close a multiple-holder bank account?

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

• Can I take someone off a joint account?

  Usually no, though some banks will have accounts that allow for removal. Check with your bank to find out more.

• What happens to the account when one of the account holders dies?

  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.

• Can I add someone to my existing bank account?

  Yes, most banks will let you turn your existing bank account into a joint account by adding someone.

Written by

Matthew Boyle

Publisher

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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 210 Finder guides across topics including:

• Helping first-time buyers apply for a mortgage
• Comparing bank accounts and highlighting useful features
• Publishing easy-to-understand guides