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Original poster

Teen bank accounts - Fed up of Go Henry

40 replies

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/01/2023 14:02

My DC (11,14) have Go Henry cards, which I'd like to replace with actual bank current accounts and bank cards.

Can anyone recommend bank accounts fir older children/teens which:

  • have cards to use to take out cash and make payments
  • where the cards can be temporarily suspended if mislaid
  • low charge

I bank with the CoOp but try don't seem to have a U16 current account. There are no banks at all nearby, so open to anything!

My problems with Go Henry is that the outlets where the cards can be used are limited; tThe are not cheap to have: can't transfer money from chlild account to parent outside or Go Henry; the limits applied on the app are not always reflected in what the card will actually alllow you to do. Eg: I set dc a limit on cash withdrawals - card was then not alliowed to take out any cash at all (I checked all weekly and daily limited set, and how much was in the account).

OP posts:
sm40 · 30/01/2023 14:07

My son and daughter both have TSB accounts. With apps after 13 (I had it my phone before then). It's free and can't get overdrawn. And there is a suspend button on the app.

MaggieMagpie357 · 30/01/2023 14:16

I gave up trying to open a bank account for my DCs, it was a logistical nightmare and involved having to make appointments to do it person with a 3 month wait for a Saturday slot!!

Mine have Nimbl cards, similar to GoHenry but we've never had an issue with places not accepting them as it's essentially a prepaid Visa card, and the fee is £1.99 a month so not too bad (although obvs bank account would be free.)

GandTtwice · 30/01/2023 14:18

Mine also have TSB accounts for several years now. We've had no issues with them.
If you aren't already an account holder you'll need to prove your identity on the application.

RNBrie · 30/01/2023 14:20

My friends are all switching from GoHenry to HyperJar which is free apparently. We've been using Starling for the kids which is cheaper than GoHenry but doesn't have all the bells and whistles.

sashagabadon · 30/01/2023 14:20

Nationwide?

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 30/01/2023 14:22

My DC have got Lloyd's accounts. They do everything you've listed, no fee at all.

TwoBlueFish · 30/01/2023 14:23

you can open a Santander account at age 13. Have a debit card, interest paid, no charges, online banking, etc. www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-mini-current-account

I think you can open an account for younger children but you need to also have an account with Santander and have to be a trustee.

Exasperatednow · 30/01/2023 14:24

Starling. If under 16 you need an account as well.

When 16 they then get their own account.

I really like Starling. The app is incredibly user friendly.

Chevyimpala67 · 30/01/2023 14:24

Nationwide

twilightcafe · 30/01/2023 14:25

My DC have Nationwide cards. They can use the app to check balances, use Apple/Google Pay and can't go overdrawn.

pinksparkly · 30/01/2023 14:25

Another vote for Santander 123 my son loves it !!

onemouseplace · 30/01/2023 14:27

Mine have Natwest accounts - available from 11. Was no hassle to set up at all (but I do bank with Natwest so that probably made it easier).

Who do you bank with - do they have a junior account?

Beamur · 30/01/2023 14:29

Nationwide here for the kids.

fernfriend · 30/01/2023 14:29

Rooster money is good. Natwest owns it. roostermoney.com/gb/

jazzandh · 30/01/2023 14:30

Mine have HSBC My Money accounts. App simple - does everything a standard current account does but doesn't allow them to go overdrawn etc.

My 12 year old had to phone up regarding a password or something and they were very good at helping him over the phone.

DialsMavis · 30/01/2023 14:31

We had same issue with logistics (and simply getting round to) setting up an account for DD so for the moment I just set up a Revolut account for me with a sub account for her. Just the free version but seems to do everything we need it to.

Ilovecats98 · 30/01/2023 14:32

My daughter has a Barclays account, has a visa debit so can be used anywhere and the app is good and there's no charges for it

wonkylegs · 30/01/2023 14:34

14yo DS1 has a Lloyds under 19 account - very easy to open as I have a Lloyds account but I believe you just have to provide ID for an adult as well if you don't have an account.
Does everything you want and is free.
He's pretty adept at managing through the app.

Anjo2011 · 30/01/2023 14:34

Both of my dds aged 11 , 15 have an account with Nationwide. They have a debit card, on line banking and there was no fee to open it.

WeeM · 30/01/2023 14:34

Mine have a HyperJar which is great as it’s free and I can just transfer money to it through the app really easily. It doesn’t allow you to withdraw cash though but the card can be used in shops just like a regular card. Maybe as your kids are a bit older an actual bank account would suit better but mine are too young still. Martin Lewis has a very good round up of kids accounts on his site so worth a look there and what’s the best ones currently.

PeekAtYou · 30/01/2023 14:35

My kids have Lloyds accounts which come with Visa and they can pay with Apple Pay too. No charge

Tarkan · 30/01/2023 14:35

My DC both have Santander accounts and have got on really well with them. We did look at Nationwide as that's who DH and I have our joint account with but we don't have a local branch so setting the accounts up at the time would have been a pain.

7yearsbadluck · 30/01/2023 14:41

onemouseplace · 30/01/2023 14:27

Mine have Natwest accounts - available from 11. Was no hassle to set up at all (but I do bank with Natwest so that probably made it easier).

Who do you bank with - do they have a junior account?

I've literally just switched mine from GoHenry to NatWest this week as it's free.

Did it all online as I already bank with them so was no hassle at all

NothingButAWalkover · 30/01/2023 14:55

Halifax do cards and online banking from 11, I think natwest do too

tattychicken · 30/01/2023 14:58

All have Lloyds accounts from 11, no charges, can cancel/freeze lost cards from the app. Tried Go Henry but thought it was expensive.