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.
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.
Apple Pay is available on selected Apple devices. You must be aged 13+ to use this service. Google Pay is available on selected Android devices. You must be aged 13+ to use this service. Retailer limits may apply.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To apply for a current account, parents or guardians must be 18+ and UK resident.
Parent/guardian: existing Ulster Bank customer
- You can apply online for an under 18 bank account.
- 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.
- 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.
Parent/guardian: new Ulster Bank customer
- 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.
- 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.
Teen aged 16-17: how to open the account yourself
- 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.
- 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.
If you carry on applying, it means you're happy with what's in these documents, including the FSCS information sheet, and you're happy to view bank statements online, instead of them being posted to you. Please take some time to review, print and/or save the important information
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.