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Our Child bank account
Adapt bank account

Open a kids' & teen bank account

This account is available to 11-17 year olds who are UK residents. 11-15s must apply with a parent or guardian who has an Ulster Bank current account.

Features parents and guardians will love

  • No monthly account fees.
  • Earn 2.50% AER, 2.47% Gross p.a. (variable) interest on balances. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.
  • There’s no overdraft available on our child and teen bank account. 
  • Get peace of mind, with protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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Features teens will love

  • Pay your mates via the mobile app (ages 16+).
  • Freeze and unfreeze your debit card in the app.
  • Pay from your phone with Apple Pay and Google Pay™ (ages 13+).
  • Earn interest when adding cash to this bank account for teens and kids.
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Make banking simple with our mobile app

With our Adapt account, kids and teens can use the same app features as adults. As a parent, you can’t remotely access or control the account. But you could set spending limits for kids aged 15 and under. Want an account with more parental controls? Take a look at our Rooster account. Here are some handy ways to manage your Adapt account via our mobile app.

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App available to customers aged 11+ with a compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

View your under 18 bank account on the go

Check your accounts, balances and recent transactions (things you’ve spent money on). And transfer money between your own accounts.

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Get cash without your debit card

Take out up to £130 every 24 hours from our branded cash machines, so long as it’s within your daily withdrawal limit. You must have at least £10 available in your account. And your kids debit card must be active.

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Freeze and unfreeze your debit card

Our teen and child bank account comes with a debit card. If you misplace your debit card, you can lock it until you find it. Card lost, stolen or damaged? The quickest way to report this is with our app.

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Pay in cheques securely

Use your camera to deposit cheques 24/7 via our mobile app. This feature lets you pay in up to £750 to our child and teen bank account each day. It’s simple, secure and saves you a trip to the branch. Limits apply.

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Payments and interest on our bank account for teens

Ways to pay

Contactless debit card

Buy things in shops and online with a teen and kids bank card. You can take money out of a cash machine too.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Pay for things easily using your phone when you're out and about.

Make regular payments

Set up Direct Debits and standing orders to pay regular bills, like a gym membership.

Interest

Earn interest on your balance

You’ll earn interest on everything you pay into our bank account for teens and kids.

How to open a bank account for a child or teen

Parent or guardian? You can only open a child or teen account if you already bank with us. If you’re a teen aged 16-17, you can open the account yourself. Take a look at these guides for parents/guardians who are existing customers, new parent/guardian customers and teens.

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To apply for a current account, parents or guardians must be 18+ and UK resident.

Parent/guardian: existing Ulster Bank customer

  1. You can apply online for an under 18 bank account.
  2. Provide proof of ID (like a passport), plus proof of your current address for yourself and the child or teen you’re opening the account for.
  3. Once you’ve applied for our bank account for teens and kids, you’ll get an instant decision. However, if we need more details from you, it can take around 5 working days for the account to be up and running.

Keep in mind that our Adapt account doesn’t offer parental controls. This means you can’t monitor your child’s spending unless they give you access themselves.

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Parent/guardian: new Ulster Bank customer

  1. To open a child’s bank account as a parent or guardian, you’ll need to have an existing bank account with us. If you don’t already, you can review our accounts and apply here.
  2. Once your Ulster Bank account is open, we'll need you to complete an online application with both sets of details, while providing proof of ID for both you and your child.

Looking for a pre-paid debit card option instead? Take a look at our NatWest Rooster Money card. For kids aged 6-17. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Fees may apply depending on card selection.

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Teen aged 16-17: how to open the account yourself

  1. If you’re 16-17, you can apply for your own teen bank account. However, if you can’t provide proof of identity, you’ll need to apply with a parent or guardian who has an Ulster Bank current account.
  2. We’ll need your ID (and your parent’s ID if you don’t have one), and for you to complete an online application. You’ll have to include both sets of details if you don’t have your own proof of ID.

When it comes to bank accounts for 11 to 15-year-olds, your parent or guardian must have or open a bank account with us to get one for you.

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Get ready to apply

Before you apply for our Adapt under 18 bank account, we need to check you’re happy with a few things, and ask a few questions up front. Then we can make your application as quick and simple as it can be.

First things first. You can apply if you:

Are aged 11 - 17 and a UK resident

Note: If you are aged 11-15, you'll need to apply with a parent or guardian who has an Ulster Bank current account

Note: If you are aged 16-17 and aren't able to prove your identity and address with your own documents, you'll also need to apply with a parent or guardian who has a current account.

Now please take a look at the important legal info

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary before you continue with your application.

As part of the checks that we will complete to verify your identity, we’ll take an image of your face so that it can be compared with your photo ID and this biometric data is captured.

All okay? You’re nearly ready to start.

To speed up your application for our Adapt account, we need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

How old are you?
Is your parent or guardian an Ulster Bank customer?

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, and you won't need to post us any information or visit a branch.

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll set up your account.
  2. We might need to verify your identity when you apply online. We’ll do this by matching your Photo ID to a selfie of you. You’ll need a device with a camera to upload these. We might also ask for other information like proof of address. If you don’t have your ID to hand, you can finish this step later.
  3. Proof of relationship (and if required name change documents) with your parent or guardian, but only if your surname doesn't match theirs.
  4. Our partner Mitek will then check your identity by matching you to your Photo ID. Your Photo ID must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card. We might also ask for a valid proof of address. If you don't have your ID to hand you can finish this step later.
  5. Once they’ve confirmed your identity we’ll activate your account.

Your parent/guardian must have an Ulster Bank current account

Oops, we can't go on with your application just yet because we need your parent or guardian to have an account with us. Fancy having them join Ulster Bank? They can check out our account options below. 

After they've opened their account and got their Anytime Banking sorted, just pop back here to finish off your Adapt account application. 

Eligibility conditions & criteria apply.

Do you have any of the following?
You can use any of the documents below but they must have your name and address on, and must match with the name and address you enter into your account online application. Unfortunately we can't accept a mobile phone bill, and they need to be physical documents you have to hand, not downloads.

or

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, and you won't need to post us any information or visit a branch.

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll set up your account.
  2. We might need to verify your identity when you apply online. We’ll do this by matching your Photo ID to a selfie of you. You’ll need a device with a camera to upload these. We might also ask for other information like proof of address. If you don’t have your ID to hand, you can finish this step later.
  3. Our partner Mitek will then check your identity by matching you to your Photo ID. Your Photo ID must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card. We might also ask for a valid proof of address. If you don't have your ID to hand you can finish this step later.
  4. Once they’ve confirmed your identity we’ll activate your account.
Is your parent or guardian an Ulster Bank customer?

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, and you won't need to post us any information or visit a branch.

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll set up your account.
  2. We might need to verify your identity when you apply online. We’ll do this by matching your Photo ID to a selfie of you. You’ll need a device with a camera to upload these. We might also ask for other information like proof of address. If you don’t have your ID to hand, you can finish this step later.
  3. Proof of relationship (and if required name change documents) with your parent or guardian, but only if your surname doesn't match theirs.
  4. Our partner Mitek will then check your identity by matching you to your Photo ID. Your Photo ID must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card. We might also ask for a valid proof of address. If you don't have your ID to hand you can finish this step later.
  5. Once they’ve confirmed your identity we’ll activate your account.

You must prove your address and identity

Sorry, you can't apply for an account because we need you to prove your identity and address.

No worries if you can't do this. You can apply with a parent/guardian if they have an Ulster Bank current account. 

If they don't have one yet, follow the link below to show them our current account range. 

Once they've applied, got their welcome email and their Anytime Banking details, come back here to continue your account application. Simple!

Eligibility criteria & conditions apply. 

Frequently asked questions

How do children’s bank accounts work?

Our Adapt current account is for children and teens aged 11 to 17 years old. It comes with a contactless debit card for all ages. Those aged 13+ can use Google/Apple Pay. 16+ aged teens can also use the mobile app independently.

Child under 11? Our Rooster Money app and pre-paid debit card might be a good option.

Why teach your kids about money?

  • Teach them how to budget their pocket money and ways to earn money.
  • Show them how cashless payments work from a young age.
  • Reduce the risk of banknotes and coins getting lost.
  • Break down financial jargon in a real setting. E.g. PIN, sort code.
  • Talk about the benefits of saving and interest.

Open a child's bank account online – FAQs

Parents: prefer a pocket money app managed by you?

NatWest Rooster Money comes with a prepaid debit card option from age 6.

  • Monitor their spending with limits and alerts.
  • Create custom pots for saving money.
  • Free Rooster card subscription: for Ulster Bank customers with kids aged 6-17.

T&Cs apply (PDF, 100 KB). Eligibility criteria apply. Card offer includes up to three cards, other fees may apply. Fees apply for non Ulster Bank personal customers.

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Other ways we could help

Savings for kids

Whether you’re a parent wanting to prepare your young kids for the future or a teen aiming to learn more about money management, an Ulster Bank urfirst savings account could help.

Rooster Run

Try out our digital game, Rooster Run and discover the world of NatWest Rooster Money.