In April 2002 the following banks and building societies told Money Box that they did restrict access to certain accounts and services for customers who hold Enduring Power of Attorney.

Given the Disability Rights Commission's challenge to end discrimination against customers who hold Enduring Power of Attorney, we asked banks for their response.

Bristol and West

Smile is an Internet bank, so their original decision not to allow EPA applied to all of their accounts, as the only way to access Smile accounts is remotely.

The situation at Bristol & West is different and we believe that we do not discriminate against disabled people.

Although EPA is not available on our remotely operated Direct accounts, it is available on accounts taken out via our branches.

This means that EPA is allowed on a wide range of competitive accounts designed to suit every need.

We have no plans to make our remote accounts accessible to people who hold EPA.

Cahoot

Following the challenge set by the Disability Rights Commission to make all bank accounts available to those holding Enduring Power of Attorney, Cahoot is immediately assessing its position.

Previously, we have been unable to offer this service as Cahoot is required to obtain the signature of the account holder only and as such, cannot offer accounts to an Enduring Power of Attorney.

The points raised by the Disability Rights Commission will prompt us to review our procedures seriously as we are committed to being as inclusive as possible.

First Direct

First Direct pro-actively work with Disability Discrimination Act to ensure all our policies and procedures regarding customers and employees comply with current legislation.

Once we receive the official communication from the Disability Rights Commission regarding the recent ruling, we will of course do everything possible to ensure that our own policies and procedures are amended accordingly.

Barclays

We recognise that different customers wish to service their Enduring Power of Attorney arrangements in many different ways - for instance, some want to access via the branch only while others want telephone access as well as branch access.

As a result we try to review the banking arrangements for each Enduring Power of Attorney on a case by case basis in consultation with the customer in order to ensure the most appropriate banking arrangement is established.

Unlike Smile, we offer a multi-channel banking proposition - branches, ATMS, telephone and on-line.

We prefer to service Enduring Powers of Attorney via the customer's local branch where for the protection of the customer the EPA document can be referred to and examined when required.

However, we can under limited circumstances, arrange for Enduring Powers of Attorneys to service accounts online.

If

Intelligent Finance allows attorneys (whether appointed under general powers of attorney or enduring powers of attorney) to open and operate savings jars within an Intelligent Finance plan.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the Consumer Credit Act, the bank is not able to offer this flexibility for its credit card, personal loan, mortgage or current account products.

Intelligent Finance, however, recognises the importance of making its products available to as wide an audience as possible.

It is, for example, currently working on ways to make its website more accessible for people who are visually impaired."

Nationwide

Nationwide has an acknowledged track record for taking on board the views of the disabled community.

The Society has won EASE awards (Ease of Access, Services and Employment) which recognises service excellence for disabled people.

We think that this decision is a step in the right direction for 'access for all' but it is also important to take into account the security aspects ofaccount opening and operation by an attorney.

The Society has always continually monitored its policy regarding access for disabled customers.

Specifically since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act we have been reviewing our policy regarding Enduring Powers of Attorney for disabled customers and particularly the impact this could have on 'remote access' accounts such as internet banking.

Alliance and Leicester

We fully support the outcome of the Professor Willetts' case.

Where the customer has a registered enduring power of attorney, we will now aim to provide all of the facilities that the customer may need to use our products and services.

We will need time to understand the practicalities associated with this decision, but our goal will be to implement any changes as soon as possible.