Best current account for 16 yr old?

[Hamuketsu]

Dd1 is getting to the stage where she could do with a current account to get her used to managing money, using a debit card, etc. Any recommendations? In particular, I'm looking for one that doesn't specify a minimum/regular amount to be paid in every month.

I thought I'd found one, with a variant of the Santander 1-2-3 account specifically aimed at 11-17 year olds. You could choose whether or not to have a debit card or just a cash card, no overdraft option, text alerts, etc. But when I tried to set it up online, it took me part-way through the process and then started specifying a minimum £500 to be paid in each month, which isn't realistic for dd1 (or most teens, I'd have thought!) It did look like their standard account setup form, though, so maybe there's just a problem with their links.

I was wondering if anyone else had a teenager with a current account, and how it worked for them?

she doesn't need an income of that much. If she has savings in another account, she just sets up a standing order to pay in the £500 and it goes straight back out again the next day.

or you can do the same if you have £500.

My DS opened a 'BarclayPlus' account with Barclays last year when he was 13yo He gets a debit card and paper statements but no access to online banking and no overdraft facility. Start with £1 and no minimum deposit

My DC have the Santander 123 Mini accounts and they definitely don't have £500 a month going in. Try ringing to ask for advice on how to set up, I think we did them at the branch.

Thanks for advice - I hadn't thought of the standing order idea! Will do that if I can't find one that doesn't need it - will also investigate the Barclays option. It was a Santander 123 Mini that I was trying to set up online, but I think that maybe their link goes through to setup for the wrong type of account. Perhaps the branch would be better :)

The standing order trick is for everyone who has a bit of money and wants to get some interest, which is currently only available from current accounts. You just need two accounts (sometimes in different banks - this might be the case with Santander so check).

boring to set up but once done is done.

best payers for anyone else reading this:
TSB Classic Plus 5% up to 2k (you can have 2 of these)
Nationwide Flexdirect 5% up to 2.5k.

the Santander 123 pays 3% from 3k to 20k, needs 2 direct debits and has a fee of £2 a month.

The Santander 123 Mini doesn't have the same rules about DDs etc as the standard Santander 123 account as it is for 11-18 year olds.

The mini 123 doesn't need a monthly funding. The 123 does (adult version).

that 123 account doesnt earn interest until there is over £100 in it