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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.

We will soon be reducing some of our interest rates, see the changes here.

Features parents and guardians will love

  • No monthly account fees.
  • Earn 2.25% AER, 2.23% 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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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.

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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 online

Children aged 11-15: If your parent or guardian banks with us

You need to apply with a parent or guardian who already has an Ulster bank account with us.

 

When you apply, we'll ask for:

We may also ask for:

  • your proof of address if you don't live at the same address as your parent/guardian.
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Continue to apply online Open in new window

Children aged 11-15: If your parent or guardian doesn't bank with us

To help you open an Adapt account, your parent/guardian must have an existing Ulster bank account.

 

Once their account is open, you can begin the application with them. We will ask for your proof of ID, plus a proof of address if you don’t live at the same address as your parent/guardian.

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Teens aged 16-17: How to open the account yourself

If you’re 16-17, you can apply for your own teen bank account. When you apply online, we’ll only need your proof of ID.

 

If you don’t have one, you’ll need to apply with a parent or guardian who has a NatWest bank account. We'll ask for your UK birth or adoption certificate as well.

 

Find out more about proof of ID and proof of address.

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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

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

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.

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

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View current accounts
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

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Next

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.
Previous
Is your parent or guardian an Ulster Bank customer?
Previous
Next

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.
Previous

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. 

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View current accounts

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. All children and teens age 11+ can 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.

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

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

We're not currently offering children's savings accounts. If you're still interested in saving you can take a look at our adult savings range, including our instant access Loyalty Saver. Account eligibility criteria applies.
See our savings range

Rooster Run

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

Ulster Bank Thrive

Let’s help make your kids’ dreams come true. Ulster Bank Thrive is a movement to help young people develop the self-belief, confidence and skills to achieve what they want.
Let's thrive