Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
My son is 14 and has ASD.
I have recently tried opening an Under 19 Current Account for him but have been told I can't do it as he would need to attend the appointment, watch an introductory video and then sign the forms to say he understands and agrees to the terms and conditions of the account. The bank in question (one of the main high street ones) has said that the only way round this is for me to get Power of the Courts (apparently Power of Attorney wouldn't be adequate, even if I had this).
I have looked in to Power of the Courts and it is really expensive to do. Has anyone encountered this and have they found a way round I already have a savings account for him but he needs something that will give him a card to have immediate access to his money. Thank you in advance.
I opened various accounts for my son whilst he was 14 & 15.
Hsbc (my account) was straight forward as u had been banking there for over 20yrs - just needed his passport.
Santander (123 mini & mini isa) & Nationwide (young person current & savings) required him to be there, but all we done was went in and I explained about his Autism, once they asked him if he was happy for me to open the account on his behalf and they check his passport & my driving licence, they let him leave with my wife.
Halifax opened a savings account online, based on his passport and I think my driving licence.
We were using these different account to get him the best interest rates available as all his money saved since being a baby was in Lloyds with very little interest.
I think that if you can explain things to the bank in advance then get your child to attend even briefly they will be pretty reasonable.
Hope this helps