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I am trying to get online banking access to my mom's credit accounts (mortgage and LOC) so I can make payments on them from an account I manage. The bank is in WA, my mom moved to WI, and I live in WV. Her move to WI was all very sudden as her husband passed away unexpectedly. I got the durable POA in WA but was not able to get all accounts squared away while I was there. Now the bank is saying the require me to come in person to the branch in WA to hand them the notarized POA and verify my identity. But this can't be the only time this has ever happened! I'm not spending $400 and 2 days to fly out to WA just to walk into a branch. I'm happy to mail them an original POA (I got several copies made) - aren't there other options for them to verify my identity remotely?

Ask your bank if they can help you deal with this.

I imagine it would be possible as both banks operate under the same rules, so they could verify everything in person and transmit documents straight to the WA banks legal department.

Can't hurt to ask.

Best of luck, this type of thing is becoming rampant as fraud is being perpetrated in every imaginable way and institutions are scrambling to protect everyone involved, them and us.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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LO1223 Mar 6, 2025
Thank you! I had this thought after posting my question, that maybe my bank could verify me in person for my mom's bank. I speak to the bank's manager tomorrow, so we shall see.
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I'm in MN and my Aunt's bank was PNC in SE FL and they were totally inflexible. So was my Aunt's firm that had her annuity. They wanted a medallion stamp along with my PoA paperwork (and signed affadivit, etc), which banks don't even do anymore. So I told them they had to come up with a solution because the stamp was not an option, just like you flying to be there in person isn't an option. Ask them how they will solve the problem they created for you. If you express it like this then it puts the ball in their court. That's how the annuity company came up with a do-able solution for me.
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Firstly, in the banks defense. Handing a piece of paper to a bank, mailing it, and saying "give me access to all mom's money?" Nope. They won't do that. Because tomorrow I could send them another piece of paper saying "I am the REAL daughter and here's my papers" . The banks are attempting to protect your mom. And you may be in future paying a good deal more than 400.00. I sure did.

Yes, this is going to be a problem.
I thought banks were the worst until I dealt with investment companies.
Banks are VERY very uptight about a POA and it must be done (in my experience) well, by an ATTORNEY, and completely. You must show up there. As my brother was in SoCAL and I was in NoCal, I was lucky that this was A) US BANK with branches in both B) That both my brother and I could attend at his bank there and I could arrange his accounts to be managed here in SF. There were Trusts and CDs involved here as well as his checking account, and he had banked there for years. And the amount was substantial, giving us a "Personal Banker" (who I will treasure forever for his personal help).
In short, getting a POA up and running is going to mean sending each entity what it wants, it will be a nightmare (I was managing Trust and CD so was POA and Trustee, making it worse) for one year or so. Once you get it all slotting in, all the mail is coming to you, and you are the signee it is done, and runs smoothly for the most part, though when Spectrum mistakenly removed his phone instead of the one next door in the deceased woman's room it took me from 1030 a.m. to 4:30 pm to fix it with many calls over seems like every state in the country and a few countries. It is said to be ever so much WORSE now (this was 2020) with outsourcing.

I truly wish you luck. I would never do this again. In fact I was online to be POA and Trustee should my partner die before me, and I got that changed right away when my brother died. I would not do this again. I am in my 80s now (was 78 then) and no way. No way.
I can't say I didn't learn a lot. Boy, was that a learning curve. But, like most things it was learning the hard way.

If you speak with a banking officer and there is no other way ask if a Licensed Fiduciary can help here.
There MUST be a way. But it won't be easy and it won't be without expense. As you may know you can sell a home long distance now without ever showing up, with signature verification and title companies and so on.

I really wish I had more hope for you here, and I hope you find a way. Do update us.
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LO1223 Mar 6, 2025
I very much appreciate your thorough reply. I absolutely do understand the need to verify my identity...I would hope that they are being strict to avoid fraud. But there HAS to be a way to verify my identity here. I mean, right?! My stepfather's son lives in Israel right now working for a defense contractor. He's there for 4 years and won't be coming home before his time is up there. If roles were reversed and he had had to manage his father's affairs as POA, would they expect him to fly to the US just to walk into a bank branch? I'm being dramatic and a bit salty, I know. It's just crazy to me that this isn't a somewhat regular occurrence that they have procedures in place for. I speak to the bank manager tomorrow - I will suggest what another responder said (having my own bank verify my identity and take the notarized POA to get to their legal department), or what you said (Licensed Fiduciary - I'll need to look that up ;)). Worst case scenario, there is a branch of this bank 2.5 hours from me in PA. Actually, worst case would be they still make me come back to originating branch in WA. So PA would be lesser worst case.
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My father's credit union bent over backwards to be helpful. Bank of America went above and beyond to be unhelpful and difficult. My father was moving into Assisted Living and I wanted to change his address so the statements would go to my house instead of his old apartment or the Assisted Living. I brought him to the local branch which was no easy feat. They wouldn't even talk to us. Wanted proof he lived at my home with a bill at that address. Of course he doesn't live there, I am his POA and just need his mail to come to me. They would not accept my POA drawn up by the lawyer. They had a 100 page document I needed to fill out and send in. The problem was it was only good for that one department it was sent to so if it was needed for a different financial matter handled by this bank the original POA was not good. It was just a joke dealing with them.
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LO1223 Mar 6, 2025
I ONLY bank with credit unions. Of course, my mom's bank is a big traditional bank that is being the PITA. Thankfully, the account we opened for her in WI is a credit union. I made sure of that.
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When I became joint owner with my dad for investment account, I had to get a medallion signature guarantee from a bank to verify me. I wonder if that can be used for banks as well?
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igloo572 Mar 11, 2025
If the OPs moms bank does not participate in Medallion, then that option is a dead end.
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We had the same issue with my mother's bank (USBank) in Utah. My sister had to fly in from out of state and all three kids had to show up together in person to produce POA and trust documents and provide signatures for the account. Our situation was not only due to bank policies, but also a consequence of how my parents set up their trust and POA.
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AlvaDeer Mar 11, 2025
Yes. I had in the beginning no idea how and what to do, as well, and got only the POA. Turns out I needed Trustee for the Trust and POA for all else. It sure was a process. Expensive as well.
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Call and talk to the bank manager.
This 'shouldn't' be a problem.

If you mail anything, send FedEx and of course make copies.
Everything likely needs to be notarized (which it is already).

Gena / Touch Matters
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I had the same problem here in FL. To be honest it is probably better to spend the 400. My mothers bank didn’t like the POA because it didn’t state if it was done online or in person. Banks have their own rules that vary state to state. After going back and forth I finally gave up dealing with the POA and had to go for guardianship which cost thousands of dollars. If the bank is willing to give you access after going in person that might be the way to go. I think someone said it in the comments already but by any chance does this bank have share access. Even though my credit union is in NJ, other credit union work with mine in FL. I can give them paperwork that they verify and then send it to mine
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Patathome01 Mar 12, 2025
It’s not only flights expenses. It’s also hidden cost related to travel, such as lodging and food besides baggage fees and local transportation to and from airports that’ll still beat legal costs down the road. I wish much luck.
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I feel your frustrations. Banks are required to have these annoying restrictions due to so much fraud. Anyone can claim they're a POA. Especially a bank that never saw that person's face. Not sure why someone at your mom's bank have a video conference with you?
I was my mom's court appointed guardian and handled her finances. Wesbanco froze my mom's account after she passed away and now I am receiving checks to her estate. I have to go to city hall to pay $200 and file a petition of probate and become the administrator of her estate to just deposit checks. Also, I will be paying $5000 for inheritance tax. In a perfect world. I hope your mom has a will. She should add you to all her accounts.
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igloo572 Mar 12, 2025
On the bright side, probate court did not require you to post a bond! And you find that all the Bail Bondsman offices are right by the jail. It’s 24 hrs of continuous adventures type of place.
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Can your mother sign a card with the bank making you a joint owner and signatory on the account and send it all in with copies of driver's licenses and social security cards. That way you will have access to the account. I am now also wondering if your mother ever set up online banking. If she did, then you can just act like you are her (online) and do it that way. If she doesn't have an online account, then you can set one up for her and handle the accounts that way.
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Patathome01 Mar 12, 2025
The banks’ brick and mortar branches do request original documents instead of copies to reduce fraud risks. Anyone can claim a loved one’s assistance by remote method. Remember 9/11? Compliance has been updated forever to protect everyone from possible fraudulent activity.

As with the Medallion document I think many banks stopped doing them due to limited staff issues, forcing customers to seek help from a separate notary service when it is best convenient to be right at the branch with co-employees to execute documents by witnessing.
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