Bank limits · From HSBC UK’s own website, 3 November 2026
HSBC UK probate limit
HSBC UK releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. If there’s no will, its limit is £25,000. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration).
May still ask for probate below this. Source: HSBC UK’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 HSBC UK ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at HSBC UK. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about HSBC UK and probate
How much can HSBC UK release without probate?
HSBC UK releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. If there’s no will, its limit is £25,000. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration). From HSBC UK’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint HSBC UK accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards HSBC UK’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the HSBC UK limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at HSBC UK. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the HSBC UK balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send HSBC UK 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
- Co-operative Bank £50,000
- Coventry Building Society £50,000
- First Direct £50,000
- Halifax no published limit
- 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 HSBC UK? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk