The Law Society has met the British Bankers Association to call for banks to educate counter staff about their responsibilities when customers appoint another person to run their financial affairs.

The banks' ignorance of enduring powers of attorney (EPA) is causing delay and difficulties for frail, elderly and disabled people, it claims.


A survey of practitioners found that, on average, solicitors had at least three EPA requests wrongly rejected by banks last year. Four out of five respondents maintain that banks take inconsistent approaches.


Solicitors suggested that staff who do not understand these legal terms often ask vulnerable people to visit the branch to verify the EPA unnecessarily or put obstacles in the way of attorneys.