Bank account for teenager

[ClairT]

Well this is probably a rant more than anything but I visited 3 banks this morning with my 13 year old to open a bank account for him and still don't have one.
LloydsTSB said, sorry we're too busy but can fit you in next week (I work in the week so no go); Nationwide said 'no problem I'll get you a form', then comes back and says 'sorry we've run out of forms but you can go to our other branch 3 miles away' and finally Natwest.

Well, Natwest was a total joke and I'm fuming. They asked for ID and proof of address so I gave them mine and DS passports, plus a letter from HMRC Child Benefit and a letter from the Premium Bonds people, both addressed to me but referring to DS. They said they couldn't accept the letters as they referred to DS forename only and our surnames are different. Also, as child benefit can be paid to a guardian it didn't prove that DS was mine!!! Then they asked for his birth certificate (which I couldn't find this morning) showing my name. I pointed out that I have a different surname to the one on the certificate after I remarried so that would be no more useful than the documents I gave them. So, they asked for a copy of my marriage certificate (!) showing my old name so I could 'prove' the link between us.

Obviously I wasn't expecting to have to produce my marriage certificate for a child's bank account so I didn't have it with me! Natwest refused to open the account without it.

I have told my son that I will buy him a tin with a lid to keep his money in.

No bloody wonder the banking system is on its knees when it won't open an account for a child with the correct paperwork and a couple of hundred quid deposit!

I was made to feel like a criminal / money launderer. I don't know why there needs to be a 'link' between me and DS, what if I was his guardian would that mean he wasn't allowed a bank account? Do they want a DNA sample before they'll do it??

Frustrating.

They only needed this because they need proof of who your son is and where he lives (understandable as eventually he will be able to apply for credit with them, and ID is saved so he doesnt need to provide it every time he wants anything from somewhere he is already a customer). If the proof of address is in your name they have got to connect you to him. Other option is to get a letter of introduction from his school, which is usually easiest option if you have lost his birth certificate. Can I also suggest that before you go back to any bank, ring and book an appointment, the staff are usually on a diary system and if you go without an appointment you have got to accept being turned away if they are busy - you wouldnt expect to just turn up at the dr without an appointment and be seen would you??? xxx

Check to see whether your teenager will be able to incur overdraft charges on his/her account.

I started looking for current account for my teenager last year and a friend told me she had had to pay off overdraft charges with the bank she first went to. She recommended the bank with black horse logo to me and at that time I was able to set up an Under 19s account for my child that avoided the problem.

CHECK FIRST - THINGS DO CHANGE.

Probably not something you should do in a day as research is required.

Currently I am looking at best way of getting non Sterling cheques paid into Sterling savings accounts for the children here without horrendous transaction charges; not looking good at present. Crazy given that there are so many families spread across the globe.

I had to open an account for my DD as am her appointee,(DD 17) nationwide were extremely helpful, the way around this was to open it as joint account which will continue into adulthood, saves paying solicitors fees to become power of atterny!