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Original poster

Bank account for 11 year old with card

34 replies

healthanxietynightmare · 06/01/2026 14:41

Looking for recommendations for a bank account with a card for an 11 year old? Ideally one that’s free every month. Currently have go Henry but looking to change to a free account. Thanks

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maggots4brains · 16/06/2026 22:33

MandemChickenShop · 16/06/2026 20:11

My kids get £100 every year from Nationwide, just for having an account, called fairshare or summat. Bloody brilliant. Although it's a building society not a bank if that's important

Edited

Yes, I think - but double check - that the kids account just needed to have made one payment each month and have £100 in a savings account to qualify this year. Mine were chuffed with a bonus £100.

LoopyGremlin · 16/06/2026 22:11

stripesorspots · 16/06/2026 21:12

Can you use Monzo on Apple Pay?

Yes you can!

Greenbag4523 · 16/06/2026 21:42

MogThoughtDarkThoughts · 06/01/2026 14:48

We use Starling for my 9yr old and it’s been great - he has a card but you can put limits on how much he spends and whether that’s on or offline.

We have Starling too. It's great and there an app for them too so they can see how much money they have and track their spending.

stripesorspots · 16/06/2026 21:12

Can you use Monzo on Apple Pay?

Mycarsmellsoflavender · 16/06/2026 21:08

Another recommendation for Nationwide. They let you keep your Flex One child account until you’re 23, unlike the other banks who transfer you to an adult account with a measly interest rate the day you turn 18. You get a linked savings account with a good rate of interest up to £5k.

Garfieldloveslasagnepie · 16/06/2026 20:52

Rooster is free if you have a Natwest account. DD has used it for a couple of years now

MandemChickenShop · 16/06/2026 20:11

My kids get £100 every year from Nationwide, just for having an account, called fairshare or summat. Bloody brilliant. Although it's a building society not a bank if that's important

SilverBirch4 · 16/06/2026 20:05

We’d recommend starling. It’s been great for our 12yr old. I think Santander is 13 as that’s who I bank with and couldn’t use them.

Key2026 · 16/06/2026 19:31

Yes nationwide is a much more ethical bank
No point saving for our children if there is no Earth to save for ! ! Dramatic but true. See good shopping guide to ethical banks

EatShitBoswell · 16/06/2026 18:26

Lloyds smart start, gives my 11yo a savings account, a spending account, access to online banking/banking app and a debit card.

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 16/06/2026 16:42

My DC have HSBC accounts. No problems at all and they can move money from savings to current within the same account.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/06/2026 16:41

tonyhawks23 · 16/06/2026 16:15

We have rooster cards from natwest

That’s what I’ve got for DS. Mainly because I bank with them so it was free.

I did have Go Henry for him but I realised paying for the account was silly - and found out I could get one free with my bank.

I didn’t know about Go Henry being so unethical - I originally just went with them because they were the one I’d heard of I think.

eurochick · 16/06/2026 16:39

We just went with a bank where a parent already has a current account. That way they can easily view the account in their existing app, instantly transfer money and so on. Most of the mainstream banks have accounts with a debit card available from age 11.

gingercat02 · 16/06/2026 16:38

We did Santander because we banked with them at the time. He is 17 and has moved to Nationwide but he will be looking for a student account soon, preferably one with good perks.

SlazengerTennisClub · 16/06/2026 16:32

Another vote for monzo. Its linked in my account so I can add money and see what they are spending. I can also share a link so people can pay into the kids bank accounts which is nice. They all have a physical card aswel.

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 16/06/2026 16:27

We do Starling, but my DC don't have access to the app as they don't have their own devices yet.

IceBrownie · 16/06/2026 16:24

Monzo is fantastic.

The app is one of the best I've seen. My 12 year old adores setting up different savings pots, naming them and giving them specific photos

It's also really transparent and super easy to monitor

MyCottageGarden · 16/06/2026 16:22

NatWest has the Rooster account and if you’re a NatWest customer then it’s completely free! They even get to choose a card design. If you want £10 free, I have a referral link https://roostermoney.com/referrals/5HX2V-J

Sign-up to Rooster Money with my code

RoosterMoney has transformed the way my family manages pocket money. Use my code to sign-up today!

https://roostermoney.com/referrals/5HX2V-J

Ablondiebutagoody · 16/06/2026 16:21

Nationwide. It gives access to a decent regular saver account

Timetoswim · 16/06/2026 16:21

I’ve just opened Santander current accounts for my teens. I’m with Santander and find the online bank app really easy. think they take from age 11 onwards . https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-mini-current-account

Almosttheweekend · 16/06/2026 16:20

Hyperjar all day long.

You can create jars for various things and limit how much they can spend and where they can shop from each one. I use separate jars for pocket money, dinner money and anything they are saving for. It can be completely controlled by parents but they do have their own separate sort code and account number for others to add funds if preferred. It's also completely free.

AlgaeDreams · 16/06/2026 16:19

I had the Revolut one for my daughter. It's your account and you add the junior card. Small charge for a physical card with chosen design but no monthly rip offs like Go Henry. You can also keep track of what he's spending, which I think is good at 11, he won't think so come 14!

IvyNeighbour · 16/06/2026 16:16

We use Hyperjar, it does the job well for us

tonyhawks23 · 16/06/2026 16:15

We have rooster cards from natwest

Key2026 · 16/06/2026 16:13

do not go with Go Henry, Barclays has just taken them over and they are the countries most corrupt bank, profiting from war and leading climate collapse, obviously not want we want out children to invest in.