Bank limits · From Co-operative Bank’s own website, 3 November 2026
Co-operative Bank probate limit
Co-operative Bank releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration).
Including smile accounts. Source: Co-operative Bank’s bereavement page, read on 3 November 2026. That’s the most common limit: 14 of the 23 banks and building societies we list release up to £50,000.
Will Co-operative Bank ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at Co-operative Bank. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about Co-operative Bank and probate
How much can Co-operative Bank release without probate?
Co-operative Bank releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration). From Co-operative Bank’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint Co-operative Bank accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards Co-operative Bank’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the Co-operative Bank limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at Co-operative Bank. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the Co-operative Bank balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send Co-operative Bank a copy of the grant. One grant works at every bank, so if any one bank needs it, it covers the rest too.
Other banks’ limits
- Bank of Scotland no published limit
- Barclays £50,000
- Chase no published limit
- Coventry Building Society £50,000
- First Direct £50,000
- Halifax no published limit
- HSBC UK £50,000
- Leeds Building Society £50,000
- Lloyds Bank £50,000
- Metro Bank £35,000
- Monzo £25,000
- Nationwide £50,000
- NatWest £50,000
- NS&I £5,000
- Principality Building Society £40,000
- Royal Bank of Scotland £50,000
- Santander £50,000
- Skipton Building Society £50,000
- Starling £30,000
- TSB no published limit
- Virgin Money £50,000
- Yorkshire Building Society £50,000
Not sure you need probate at all? Use the 3-question checker. Spotted a change at Co-operative Bank? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk