On this page
Overlay
Existing customers
Child Trust Funds
The value of investments can go down as well as up, your capital is at risk. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.
What is a Child Trust Fund?
Child Trust Funds are long term, tax-free savings accounts for children that were set up by the Government in 2005. Having a Child Trust Fund (CTF) is good news, it means you have an investment waiting for you when you reach 18. You will have a Child Trust Fund if you were born between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011, unless you, your parents or guardians have transferred this into a Junior ISA. The money is invested in a tax-efficient fund in your name until you turn 18 when you can take control of your investment and choose to continue investing, make a withdrawal or transfer to another ISA provider.
The Child Trust Fund is invested in the RBS Stakeholder Fund that is managed by the experts at Coutts & Co.
How do I manage my Child Trust Fund?
Our online portal makes it easy to check up on your CTF, and to access your investment when you turn 18.
The registered contact (the person who has parental responsibility for the child) can register on the portal at any time. The child can take over responsibility for the account at 16 however they will not be able to access the portal until they are 18.
The registered contact for an account can see the latest value of the account, top it up, set up a direct debit, or tell us if you have changed address.
To register for the portal, all you need is:
- your name
- date of birth
- client account number (8 digit number starting with 1 is contained on your annual statements, which is addressed to the registered contact).
Where is my Child Trust Fund?
Child Trust Funds are held in various UK banks. You can find out where your Child Trust Fund is located through:
GOV.UK – Find a Child Trust Fund
To apply, here are the key things you will need:
register and create a government gateway login
your full name and address
child’s full name and address
child’s date of birth
child’s national insurance number or unique reference number if known.
(Alternatively, you can post these details to HMRC if preferred).
The Share Foundation – Find Your CTF
To apply, here are the key things you will need:
- Child’s full name and address
- Child’s date of birth
- National Insurance number if known/applicable.
What happens when my CTF matures?
We will write to you 20 days before your birthday with information about your investment and details of how to register for the online portal.
On your 18th Birthday we will move your investment from the CTF into a Matured CTF, keeping your money invested in the RBS Stakeholder Fund until you choose what to do with your money and provide us with the required documents.
Once registered online, you will be able to make a choice about your money. You can choose to continue investing with us by moving the investment into an adult ISA, you can withdraw all or part of your investment into a UK current or savings account in your own name, or you can transfer to another ISA provider.
Whichever option you choose we will need to take you through some additional checks to verify your name and address. We aim to take the required information from you online, however occasionally we will need to ask you to provide copies of documentation in the post to assist with this process.
If you are unsure about what identification documents, you need to provide, please refer to our frequently asked questions below.
All documents provided online, or in the post, will be reviewed by our team. Please be aware that if you choose to withdraw from your investment, these checks will need to be complete before we release payment to your bank account and this may take up to a few weeks in some cases.
What account do I need to access my money?
You’ll need to have a UK current or savings account in your name if you choose to make a withdrawal, so be sure to get that sorted out in advance.
We can only take instructions from the account holder once you turn 18 and you'll need to confirm your identity when you tell us what you'd like to do with your money.
You can choose to continue to invest with us in an Adult ISA, withdraw all or part of your money, or transfer to another ISA provider.
Please note it may take up to a few weeks in some cases from receipt of appropriate identification and withdrawal instruction for the payment to be made into your bank account.
If you don't currently have a suitable account, you can set one up with most high street banks, building societies, credit unions or the post office.
For more information on our accounts please see the account options below which may help you decide which one is the best for your circumstances.
Maturity account options
Current accounts OpenClose
Move your funds to a current account
Keen to get your hands on your money? You might want to put the funds into a current account.
A current account lets you:
- Get your wages/salary directly into your current account.
- Pay bills using direct debits and standing orders.
- Easily manage your account anywhere, anytime with our mobile banking app. Criteria apply.
- Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or with a Contactless Debit Card. Limits apply.
To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. Specific account eligibly criteria may apply.
Savings OpenClose
Start saving for something great
Saving isn’t just for a rainy day. How about saving for lots of sunny days on an overseas adventure? Or maybe you’re thinking about buying your first car? If you’ve already got plans for the money in your Child Trust Fund then a savings account could be the best place to put it.
- A savings account is a safe place to put your money if you’re saving up for something in the future.
- Savings accounts will usually give you a better interest rate than a current or basic account.
- The more you save, the more interest you could earn.
- You could choose an instant access savings account, or a fixed term account that usually have higher interest rates, but you might lose out on that interest if you want to take your money out before the end of the term.
Individual account eligibility criteria apply.
Frequently asked questions
We’ll send you a CTF Maturity Letter 20 days before your 18th birthday. If you are now 18 and you still haven’t received a letter, then contact us on 0345 300 2585 - Text Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 2585.
You don’t need to have an account with us in order to withdraw the funds from your CTF, but you must have a current or savings account in your name with another bank or building society that we can pay your money into.
Before we can transfer your money, we need to confirm your identity. You'll need to provide one document from the table below as well as a recent bank statement (dated within 3 months);
Document List | Validity Guidelines |
UK Passport EU/EEA Passport Non UK/Non EU Passport |
|
Photocard Provisional / Full Driving Licence Photocard Motorcycle Licence |
|
| Military ID Card |
|
Benefit Agency Documentation (including student finance company) |
|
UK Birth/Adoption Certificate |
|
EU/EEA ID Card (Romanian EU ID cards are not currently accepted) |
|
PASS Card (Card must have a ‘PASS’ hologram on it) |
|
HMRC Letter |
|
The registered contact (the person who has parental responsibility for the child) can register on the portal at any time until you reach 18. You can take over responsibility for the account at 16 however you will not be able to access the portal until they are 18.
On your 18th birthday your CTF will become a Matured CTF. The registered contact will no longer has access to the online portal and you will be able to register yourself.
If you are unable to access the online portal please ring us on 0345 300 2585 - Text Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 2585.
If your child is unable to manage their own financial affairs, you may want to consider setting up a Power of Attorney or obtaining a Court of Protection order which will allow you to manage their finances for them. For more information on how to do this please visit the gov.uk page.
If you are the Parent/Guardian of a child who has a CTF please review this page for more information.
If you are turning 18 soon and think you have a CTF, please review this page for more information.
HMRC has produced a document with useful information: 10 things you need to know about Child Trust Funds (PDF, 91KB)
If you have turned 18 and do not wish to use the online portal, please review the form attached and follow the steps outlined:
Other ways to get in touch
You can only give us your maturity instruction once you turn 18. On your 18th birthday, your CTF will convert into a Matured CTF and you can tell us what you want to do with your money.
Write to us
RBS Collective Investment Funds Limited
PO Box 9908
Chelmsford
CM99 2AF
Call Us
For general questions, to top up your CTF or updating contact details, you can call us on 0345 300 2585 - Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 2585.
Telephone lines open Monday-Friday 8am – 6pm (excluding bank holidays).
Calls are recorded.