Can I close a French bank account for someone else?

No, you cannot help, unfortunately for your friend.

It is possible for someone to give a third party ‘procuration’ over an account, allowing them to use it. This has to be done in writing to your bank, signed by your- self and the ‘mandataire’ to whom you are giving this permission.

However this does not extend to allowing them to close the account – only the account holder can do this.

However it is not obligatory to go into a bank in person to close an account. It may be done in writing, preferably by recorded delivery post with reception slip. If doing it from the UK we suggest using a service such as Royal Mail’s ‘international tracked and signed’.

To close an account you need to return any cards or cheque books (or if you do not, you are liable for any use that might be made of them). You should also make sure that before closing the account you have stopped any direct debits/standing orders or transferred them to another account.

Also make sure any cheques or card payments made have been debited from the account and there are no automatic payments from it to another account such as a savings plan.

You may then close the account by stating clearly your wish to do so in writing in wording such as “je veux fermer ce compte et je vous demande de faire le necessaire pour organiser la fermeture définititive”.

You should also include contact details and ask for a cheque or transfer of any remaining money to another account. If this is not a French one include full details of the IBAN number and BIC code.

Closing an ordinary account is free (there may be fees for closing certain savings products like a plan d’épargne logement or plan d’épargne en actions). If it is a joint one then the request must be signed by both account holders.