Bank Statements by Bank for Legal Matters

Choose the bank guide that matches each account, then use the request route for the records you need. A client’s existing statements, older records and another person’s account each start from a different position.

Choose the Bank’s Statement Guide

The four bank guides cover downloads, older or closed-account statements and requests made for someone else. Use the CommBank guide for NetBank records and recently closed accounts. The Westpac guide covers online statements and requests for copies. For ANZ accounts, start with its guide to app and Internet Banking statements. The NAB guide distinguishes app downloads from browser access, including closed-account records.

Online availability depends on the bank, account and access arrangements. An online statement window is not a promise that every older record is available or has been destroyed. Each guide separates online access from requests for historical records.

Which Statement Request Do You Need?

If the client holds the account and can access its statements, start with their downloads and identify the missing periods. For records outside online access, or an account that has closed, use the bank guide’s historical-record route.

An executor or attorney needs the bank’s authority process before requesting someone else’s information. CommBank’s estate process requires confirmation of the representative’s identity and authority. Westpac’s attorney process requires the power of attorney and identification documents. Use the relevant bank guide for the documents and request channel that fit the appointment.

When you need another party’s records without their authority, start with the guide to subpoenas for bank records. The available process depends on the proceeding and court.

Before You Send Statements for Analysis

Compare the supplied statements with the accounts and period required for the matter. Include closed accounts in that comparison. Check each statement’s start and end dates, and confirm that all pages are present.

Within each account’s statement run, compare one closing balance with the next opening balance. A mismatch or missing period needs an explanation before you treat the set as continuous. The bank statement reconciliation guide explains the fuller checks.

For banks outside this directory, or a request for records beyond online access, use the guide to obtaining old bank statements.