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Can a bank locker be transferred to another person?

Published in Banking and Finance 2 mins read

No, a bank locker itself cannot be directly transferred to another person in the same way you might transfer a bank account. However, there are mechanisms that allow others to access the locker's contents, especially upon the death or incapacity of the original holder(s).

Here's a breakdown:

  • Joint Holding: Bank lockers can be held jointly by two or more individuals. In this case, depending on the operating instructions (e.g., either or survivor, jointly), the surviving holder(s) can continue to operate the locker after the death of one of the holders.

  • Nomination: Banks provide a nomination facility for locker holders. This allows the locker holder to nominate a person who can access the locker and its contents after their death. The nominee is only a custodian and the contents are transferred based on legal heirship and succession laws.

  • Transfer of Content in Case of Death (Without Nomination/Joint Holding): If there is no nomination or joint holding, the bank will typically require legal documentation (e.g., a succession certificate, letter of administration) to determine the rightful heirs before allowing access to the locker's contents.

In essence, while you cannot simply "transfer" the locker itself, you can designate individuals (through joint holding or nomination) who can legally access its contents. If neither of these arrangements exists, the contents will be distributed according to inheritance laws.

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