Trying to open a teen account during covid

chri55

Any banks accepting new accounts?

I'm trying to open one for my 15yr old son so he can use contact less and be safer if he needs to shop.

Iv wasted hours with barclays and hsbc who faff about trying to be helpful on the phone then send you to branch as it "Has to be done in person" only for both branches to roll their eyes, curse head office and say they cant do a face to face opening because of covid.  
Whilst I appreciate the concern 1 why wont they do it on line and 2 banks have more screens than anywhere!!!!  I just dont see how it "cant" be done when every other business is bending over backwards to get running again safely- what is it about child accounts that's so hard to do -if he was 18 they were more than happy??

Any where open  to join?

[Deleted User]

 You know there's a global health crisis yes? 

 And that most staff are working from home? 

 And that there's no way to verify a minors identity other than with documents face to face. 

digalumps

will he be 16 anytime soon because then he can open a monzo account? 

wmb194

chri55 said:

Any banks accepting new accounts?

I'm trying to open one for my 15yr old son so he can use contact less and be safer if he needs to shop.

Iv wasted hours with barclays and hsbc who faff about trying to be helpful on the phone then send you to branch as it "Has to be done in person" only for both branches to roll their eyes, curse head office and say they cant do a face to face opening because of covid.  
Whilst I appreciate the concern 1 why wont they do it on line and 2 banks have more screens than anywhere!!!!  I just dont see how it "cant" be done when every other business is bending over backwards to get running again safely- what is it about child accounts that's so hard to do -if he was 18 they were more than happy??

Any where open  to join?

Have you tried Santander's 123 mini? Its website states, "If you’re aged between 13 and 18 years old and live permanently in the UK you can apply online." I didn't go all the way through the application to see what was wanted or how you are expected to submit it but your son will need two forms of ID. It offers a contactless card, too.
https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-mini-current-account

colsten

Aside from Santander, Natwest and RBS might also offer online, or phone, applications https://www.which.co.uk/money/banking/bank-accounts/best-childrens-bank-accounts-arspc9p7mk0y

Ed-1

I attempted to open some junior accounts a few weeks ago and the Royal Mail have apparently lost my applications (and original ID) as it didn't turn up at the building society...

General_Grant

Ed-1 said:

I attempted to open some junior accounts a few weeks ago and the Royal Mail have apparently lost my applications (and original ID) as it didn't turn up at the building society...

So what did the tracking system tell you about how far it got in the system?  Are you putting in a claim?

Ed-1

General_Grant said:

Ed-1 said:

I attempted to open some junior accounts a few weeks ago and the Royal Mail have apparently lost my applications (and original ID) as it didn't turn up at the building society...

So what did the tracking system tell you about how far it got in the system?  Are you putting in a claim?

Unfortunately didn't send it tracked due to temp closure of local post office. It was a gamble between having the ID certified which would cost £15 at the necessary places that they'd accept v having to order replacement ID copies which cost £11 each.

magritte

BarclayPlus can be opened by video banking but only if the parent is a customer of Barclays... barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/childrens-bank-account/

notveryeducated

Like Colsten said above - Santander let you open an account online even if you're under 18. https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-mini-current-account 

Polarpenguin

A temporary solution may be you opening a starling account, then using the connected card feature for your son. Added benefit that the connected card is capped at £200.
https://www.starlingbank.com/features/connected-shopping-card/