Current account for 12 year old.

[Thingsthatgo]

What would you recommend for a 12 year old? He would like to have a debit card. He is very sensible, especially with money, so I'm not concerned about him going crazy in a sweet shop!
Anything in particular to look for? Are there accounts that we can both access via an app so I can see if he has run out of money?

Starling do one you can monitor I think. Monzo is good to teach saving as they have pots within the app

Actually I think he is too young for Monzo, so ignore that!

Rooster works well for us. It seems 50/50 between Roostermoney and Go Henry among the children we know.

We've just signed up for rooster for 7&10 year olds, free because I bank with NatWest

Nationwide flexone account is for 11-17 yr olds, has a debit card and no fees.

Hyperjar has worked great for us

My kids got an RBS account with a debit card at age 11

Tbh easiest way is to go with your own bank.

Otherwise you need to do the whole ID thing.

Starling - the account is yours but you have a space for the child and put funds into it. Child gets a card called a kit card

Both of you have the app.

I love my starling account

Obvious draw back is that wages cannot be paid into it- not a problem right now I imagine

We just opened one through our bank (Lloyds), it's linked to our accounts so we can see it in our app but he has his own app too and he can separate his money into spending and savings. He has a debit card, no overdraft facility, it was really easy to set up. Available from 11.

Natwest have the rooster account for 6+ but also an adapt account with their own online banking etc for 11+. Both are free (the rooster only if you already bank with them).

What bank are you with? Halifax do current and savings accounts for 11-15 year olds. It also allows them to online bank.b If you are with the bank you are able to view them online with your accounts to have oversight. I'm sure other banks do similar.

Another vote for the Rooster card here. Lots of useful features on the app. I thought anyone could have one & you don't have to bank with them.

Starling - my DS loves how easy it is to use (so do I and also how eat to add funds, see spending, set goals etc) - it's now free and so easy to use abroad

Most high street banks offer an account with debit card from age 11. My 2 have santander mini 123 accounts. They have an app

Do check the app will work for an 11yo. We ended up staying with Nimbl until DC hit 13, as the app store knew their age and the banking apps were all officially 13+, so they couldn’t download them.

This may only be an issue because we have their phones very locked down and with all the safety features on, but having done that I couldn’t find a workaround.

Mine both had Nationwide accounts at that age. Started with cash cards, moved up to debit cards, then seemlessly to adult accounts.

Mine has a Santander. Both older teens had this one too and we have had no issues.

NatWest Rooster.

It works really well for our family.

We use Go Henry, money transfers immediately, get alerts with every spend. There is a fee but it's minimal. It works well for us.

At 12 I wouldn't bother with the subscription services like Go Henry. I'd either approach whoever I bank with, or go for one of the online modern banks. You should b able to get a free account, with a debit card, aged 12.