Teen bank accounts - Fed up of Go Henry

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

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).

I use revolut for my 10 yr old, 13 year old now has a Halifax current account.

HSBC and it's good for DC to have a 'traditional' bank account in their name before they turn 18 - it's more complicated then and you can't do it for them (as easily).

Mine have Bank of Scotland/Halifax. Free, online banking available which allows you to freeze the card. Although I would expect most High St banks are the same.

I opened an account at the weekend for my 16yo with HSBC. My money as a pp mentioned. As I’m First Direct just needed ID for us both. Took about 20 minutes.

Mine must have Natwest because that is where I bank. They have a contactless card and can have the app on their phones so they can check balance, freeze card etc as needed. The app opens more features as they get older so when young they can't pay anybody for example.

Pretty much any normal high street bank has basic current account type for children/teens.

Dd got a Halifax account I and her Gran put money in and she uses her card or apple pay. I turns into a student account when she starts Uni.

If you have a Metrobank nearby, I’d recommend them. Their under 18s account works just like a normal current account with no overdraft - only disadvantage is that you can’t electronically transfer out of it. But it has card, app etc.

They are set up as a basic bank so it’s simple and the helpline is great - real people answer immediately. The branch is also really good if you go in and need help unlocking an account or to deal with a lost card.

I swopped dd from Nimbl to Metrobank at 13 (once she was old enough for the app), and am pleased I did.

My DD has had HSBC since she was 11, has the same app with the same app functionality as my current account.

Thanks everyone!!

Looks like my bank (Co Op) might be the only one that doesn't have a teen account. DH banks with Santander,, so we'll start there.

Nationwide were brilliant with my three and gave them all a talk about responsible banking

Mine too. Set up really easily when they were 11

Mine have had Halifax accounts and they have worked really well for them - can transfer in and out online as well as using a card. Send them a paper statement each month which was good for teaching them to budget and we were able to call and freeze the account straightaway when DD lost her card.

Older kids had accounts with BOS and have done since they were 11. Youngest has a pre paid debit from NatWest because they won't go to the bank so can't get an account opened.

Mine have had Nationwide current accounts since they were 11, with debit cards, online banking etc. There are some restrictions such as no gambling and no overdraft obviously.

We use revolut. Then the children can use their cards abroad too as it was a nuisance trying to give them money for the shop so they could buy trinkets when we didn't have any change.