Accounts opened in the name of two or more people may present problems. In the absence of any direction by both account holders to the contrary, the bank or credit union owes the debt to all account holders jointly. This means that each account holder needs to sign in order to withdraw money or write cheques, which may be inconvenient but also protects all account holders.

Joint accounts are also subject to a presumption of survivorship, meaning that when one holder dies, the surviving holders are entitled to the balance of the account. This presumption can be rebutted by any evidence of contrary intention.