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Original poster

Which bank account for 12 year old?

44 replies

fastwigglylines · 09/01/2021 12:38

My 12 year old has asked for his pocket money to go into PayPal or a bank account so he can use it to buy things online. I see PayPal's not for under 18s, but kids can have bank accounts, can't they?

I think his idea makes sense as he's obsessed with Games Workshop stuff and wants to use it to buy figures to paint, which are pricey so he needs to save up for them. I'm hoping it will help him learn to budget and be responsible for his own money.

Can anyone recommend a bank account that would allow him to do this? Can 12 year old get a card they can use online? I had a bank account at 13, but this was long before the Internet!

What do I need to think about in terms of safety online? Is this actually a terrible idea for some reason?!

Thanks

OP posts:
highschoolneverends · 09/01/2021 12:39

Following

bluebluezoo · 09/01/2021 12:41

Mine just have a barclays current account.

Comes with a debit card which they can use in-store and online.

They can also use the app to see how much money they have etc.

Think it’s a 12-16 account?

LittleMissA · 09/01/2021 12:41

I've just applied for a HSBC account for my 11 yr old and they get a debit card with that. No fees. I'm having problems with the ID part at the moment tho as they have said I can use a birth certificate but the portal to upload ID will only accept photo ID and her passport has expired.

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General money
SoupDragon · 09/01/2021 12:43

DD has a FlexOne account from Nationwide with a debit card. You can get one from 11.

Chocsandcrisps · 09/01/2021 12:43

My son has a FlexOne account with Nationwide. Age 11 to 17.
It's perfect for him and no charges unlike Go Henry.

www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexone/whats-flexone

Pandemicpanic · 09/01/2021 12:43

We have nation wide account, she has a debit card and 🏦 account.
No charges.

Clymene · 09/01/2021 12:44

Mine has a nationwide flex one account for exactly this reason! His pocket money goes in every week and he buys models on eBay and games workshop.

It also means I just have a SO set up to transfer the cash so that I don't have to remember to do it.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 09/01/2021 12:45

Santander 123 mini current account. You can open them in branch under 13 or online at 13+. They have a debit card attached.

StillGoingToWork · 09/01/2021 12:48

@CeeceeBloomingdale

Santander 123 mini current account. You can open them in branch under 13 or online at 13+. They have a debit card attached.
DD has one of these. Very easy to manage.
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 09/01/2021 12:49

Really useful info, thanks everyone. Looks like it's not a bad idea then!

OP posts:
simpson · 09/01/2021 12:51

I had huge issues with HSBC when I applied for DD (including them getting her birth date wrong despite me filling it in correctly on the form). In the end I went to Metrobank and did it there and then.

No waiting for the card to get posted, it took all of 10 mins.

bluebluezoo · 09/01/2021 12:52

Just to add, it’s often easier to open an account with the bank you have an account with.

Purely as your ID is already verified so there’s a lot less hassle with documents and it can often be done over the phone or online.

TheBitterBoy · 09/01/2021 12:53

My 12 yo has a Santander account, he has the app on his phone, uses it for contact less payments in the local shop by school and online payments. We set it up in branch and they were excellent at talking directly to him about it and making sure he understood password /pin security etc.

Superstardjs · 09/01/2021 12:57

Nationwide here too, she opened it at 11 and we've had no issues at all over the last 4 years. She uses her card for online purchases with no problem.

MissSmiley · 09/01/2021 13:01

The ID part of applying for their own account got a lot stricter a few years ago, my oldest two I opened accounts online with no problems, with my twins I had to take them into the branch with their ID which was much more difficult, we had to make an appointment which could only be on a Saturday because of school. Maybe with Covid there are options for doing it remotely, my youngest will be needing her own account soon so I'm hoping it'll be possible. I've used GoHenry up until now but I'll be pleased to drop the fees with a free bank account

ElaineMarieBenes · 09/01/2021 13:10

I’d recommend Nationwide as well (although DS2 wanted to open an account at the horsey one - and is still with them!).

LongIslandIcedT · 09/01/2021 13:20

Mine has Halifax account with debit card. Easy to use app. She gets her pocket money monthly and spends on her debit card at the shop. Online, I generally buy for her on my credit card but she uses the app to pay me back by transfer.

ADayAlwaysHasToEnd · 09/01/2021 13:25

@MissSmiley the portal will only allow for a passport. You can use a birth certificate but it needs to be taken to a branch

Oblomov20 · 09/01/2021 13:54

Nationwide Flex for 11-17 is great. Debit card. App.
Both ds's found it easy.

Lunariagal · 09/01/2021 14:05

Does anyone know why most banks offer the choice of either a debit card or a cash card, but not both??

I want to open accounts for the kids but would prefer to have both.

Toomanycats99 · 09/01/2021 14:06

@Lunariagal

But a debit card is a cash card? Just means you can use it in shops as well.

Toomanycats99 · 09/01/2021 14:07

My 13yo daughter has a nationwide one. Easy to set up and use. She managers it via app on her phone and now has it set on Amazon, SHEIN all over the place.....!

RedSoloCup · 09/01/2021 14:09

My two have Barclays and really impressed they have contactless cards and apps on their phones.

AnathemaPulsifer · 09/01/2021 14:09

Lloyds offer debit cards from age 11

bluebluezoo · 09/01/2021 14:27

Does anyone know why most banks offer the choice of either a debit card or a cash card, but not both??

Because there isn’t a difference? There wouldn’t be any point providing both as they do exactly the same thing..