Nationwide account for under 18s?

Kilty_2

Hello,

Do Nationwide provide an account for people under 18 that comes with a Visa Electron debit card or similar?

I like the idea of not being charged to use card abroad, certainly beats changing money into Euro/whatever before leaving the UK.

Thanks

YorkshireBoy

According to the Nationwide website you can apply for a FlexAccount from age 16, and can use their cashcard to withdraw cash abroad 'fee-free'.

EDIT: See the top of page 3 in their Accounts for under 18’s document.

malky39

Nationwide do not operate with the visa electron cards, i cheacked this before opening an account as have had probelms with other banks operating these cards due to them not being accepted for some transactions, Only visa debit. But yes you can apply from age 16.

Kilty_2

Hmmm......... thanks people.

I doubt that I'd be accepted for a FlexAccount once I turn 16 (November, )

Would I be right in thinking that the SmartAccount that just comes with an ATM card wouldnt allow me to withdraw money when I'm outside of the UK?

Hmm then there's the question of whether I need another bank account or not, got 3 at the moment with £500 between them

malky39

you can get an account that comes with just a cash card but this does also let you withdraw money outside the uk at no cost.

if you do alot of withdrawls outwith the uk yes you need this account. i rarly have more than £10 in my flex account unless i am going on holiday

Kilty_2

Oooo, that'd do then.

I doubt I'd be accepted for a FlexAccount because I don't have a regular income.

essexhoney

Kilty you dont need to have a regular income with a flexaccount.

i have 2 basic flexaccounts open - one of which i get everything paid into and direct debits coming out of, the other is rarely used and rarely has anything in it - mainly used for when i want to put some money to one side but still access it quickly if i need to without going to the bank i use this rather than my isa so that i dont need to go into town to get my money out and can just pop to the cash machine

someone

Those who say that they wont get a FlexAcount, try applying (i got my at 16 with no proof of income at the time)

Kilty_2

Oooo

Will try applying when I'm 16 then.

Thanks everyone .

someone

oh, I applied on-line (was very easy) and i think if you are under 18 they just do ID checks (no credit scoring). They sent me an ATM Card & Cheque Book.

Kilty_2

Can you use the ATM card abroad though?

Thought it was only the Visa debit card you could use outside of the UK