Joint Bank Account vs Individual Bank Account

How many times have you come to a crossroads when it comes to financial planning? 

How often have you found yourself confused about which type of bank account to open- a joint bank account or an individual bank account?
Just like with any other important choice, it’s important to understand that each account has its advantages and disadvantages. In this write-up, we will dive into the difference between joint and individual bank accounts for your better understanding.

 

What Exactly are Joint Accounts? 

A joint bank account is a type of bank account that is owned and operated by 2 or more people. 

Joint account holders can make transactions, including withdrawals and debits, and validate financial instruments like a cheque- no matter who deposited the funds. This may create or increase an overdraft. 

Account holders must decide if joint consent is needed for transactions or if any holder can act independently. 

Important: Each joint account holder shares equal responsibility for all transactions made through the account.

 

Why Should You Have a Joint Bank Account?

Check out the reasons to open a joint bank account in the UAE:

• Easy Management of Finances: A joint account simplifies managing shared finances. With multiple contributors, paying bills, saving for goals, and making joint purchases is easier. Couples find these accounts especially useful for dividing expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries.
• Avoiding Probate: Joint bank accounts help avoid probate, which is the legal process of validating a will. When one account holder dies, the surviving holder usually gets to own the account automatically, bypassing probate. This ensures immediate access to funds without delay.
• Convenience: Joint bank accounts offer convenience by allowing all holders access to the account. Transactions can be made promptly, even if one account holder is unavailable.
• Increased Savings: With multiple contributors, joint accounts make it easier to save for common goals like holidays, weddings, or emergencies. This is a great first step for financial planning.
• Better Financial Planning: Joint accounts help in better financial planning. They allow all holders to track expenses and identify savings opportunities. This is particularly useful for couples saving for a home or planning for retirement.

 

 

Any Reasons to Have a Separate Bank Account?

As mentioned earlier, you can enjoy plenty of benefits with joint accounts. However, continuing our discussion of joint vs single bank accounts, we will now check some reasons to open a separate bank account:

• Maintains Your Independence: Separate bank accounts allow you and your partner to maintain financial independence. While joint accounts increase efficiency and make tasks easy, they can compromise your sense of autonomy. With joint accounts, all transactions are visible, which might feel like a loss of privacy. Even in a great relationship, financial autonomy can be important based on your experiences and values.
• Protects Individual Assets: If you and your partner have different financial situations, separate accounts might be best. For example, if you have significant debt, separate accounts can protect your partner from repayment responsibility. Or, if you both are high earners, you might want to enjoy your income independently. Additionally, joint account balances can also affect eligibility for financial aid.
• Limits Possible Damages in Case of a Breakup: Thinking about a breakup is unpleasant, but it can happen. Joint bank accounts can complicate things if a relationship ends. If one person empties the account, legal action might be needed. To avoid such complications, some couples prefer to keep their accounts separate.

 

Joint vs Individual Bank Account

Here are the points of difference between joint and individual bank accounts:

 

 

When Should You Apply for a Joint Bank Account?

A joint bank account makes sense if-

• You want to share the budget with your partner
• You wish to manage the expenditures related to your child that you share with your partner 
• You wish to build financial maturity in a relationship with shared finances 
• You and your partner want to save as a team
• You want to build an emergency fund
• You have shared financial goals with your family 

When Should You Apply for an Individual Bank Account?

You should open an individual bank account if-

• You seek more control and privacy over personal spending
• You want to preserve your assets
• You want financial independence