NatWest Adapt Account: £20 Bonus for 11–17 Year Olds

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What Is the Adapt Account?

NatWest describes Adapt as a free bank account for kids and teens aged 11 to 17 (UK residents).

Some important eligibility rules:

• Ages 11–15: the application must be made with a parent or guardian who holds a NatWest current account.

• Ages 16–17: the teenager can apply for their own Adapt account (if they have requisite ID)

• The parent/guardian must already be a NatWest customer (or become one) to open one for younger children.

• When the child turns 18, the Adapt account is converted to an adult current account (with the same balance and basic account details)

The core idea is to give young people a real bank account (with a debit card and the ability to transact) while preserving safety features (e.g. no overdraft).

Key Features & Benefits:

Here are the main features that make Adapt appealing:

• No Monthly Fees / Cost Structure - the Adapt account is fee-free, meaning no monthly maintenance charges.

• Interest on Balances - Adapt offers 1.85% AER (1.83% gross p.a., variable) on all balances held in the account. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. This is relatively generous for a children’s/teen account, helping the account-holder see the benefit of saving.

• Debit Card & Payment Capabilities

  • A contactless debit card is provided so the teen/child can make purchases in shops or online.

  • The card can be frozen/unfrozen via the app if lost or misplaced.

  • “Get Cash without your debit card” is available (i.e. withdraw from an ATM up to a limit, assuming you have ≥ £10 in the account)

  • You can deposit cheques via mobile deposit, subject to limits.

• Parental Controls & Safety Measures:

  • The account cannot go into overdraft.

  • The parent/guardian has some oversight in the setup and application process

  • The account is protected under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which insures eligible deposits up to the standard limit.

• App & Digital Functions - You can view real-time balances and transaction history via the NatWest app.

The £20 Welcome Bonus:

• The bonus applies to new Adapt accounts opened from 24 September 2025 onward.

• The £20 will be paid into the Adapt account within 40 days of opening.

So in effect, for eligible new Adapt account holders, the £20 bonus is a small “kickstart” incentive to encourage take-up.

Tips for Parents & Teens:

• Check all eligibility criteria (ID, proof of address, parental account) before applying.

• Read the full T&Cs and product information to understand precisely how the £20 bonus works, what triggers it, and what might disqualify the bonus.

• Encourage regular saving — rather than spending all the bonus, it can be a teaching moment to set aside a portion.

• Set sensible contactless limits via the app to match the child’s maturity and spending patterns.

• Review periodically — as the teen ages, they might benefit from more flexible accounts; compare what’s available at 18.

• Teach digital safety — ensure the teen understands PIN security, fraud risks, and how to freeze/loss-report their card.