Starting a savings account for a child is a good way of getting them into the habit of putting money aside for the future.
Every year at First Communion time thousands of children in Ireland are given cash gifts. A recent survey found that the average amount was €463. This can be a good time to open a bank account for them.
Hopefully – with the help of parents – they will try and save some or all of the money instead of spending it all.
Some of the banks in Ireland offer special savings accounts for children . To open an account for a child under 7 you will usually have to open it in the adult’s name, with the child’s name noted.
For children between 7 and 12 you usually have three options for the account – it can be
- a) in the adult’s name, with the child’s name noted.
- b in the name of both the adult and the child
- c) in the name of the child only
Interest Rates on Savings Accounts for Children 2024
Allied Irish Bank (AIB) has a ‘junior saver’ account which allows a parent to open an account on behalf of their child. They get an interest rate of 3% on the first €1000 – then just 0.01% on anything over that. Ages 7 to 17.
EBS – Pay 2.5% with a maximum balance of €5000. Age 0 to 11 . They also have a teens account for ages 12 to 17 with the same interest rate and maximum balance rules.
Bank of Ireland has a savings account for young Savers aged up to 12 . The account has an interest rate of 2% . The maximum balance is €10,000 – but there is no minimum or maximum monthly deposit – so you could put €1000 in one go if you had it .
An Post (State Savings) Childcare Plus account pays 1.75% – DIRT free.
You have to pay in a monthly amount for 6 years to get this rate. The minimum monthly payment is €25 , max is €1000. The maximum balance €120,000 .
It should be possible to open any deposit account in the name of a child – you don’t have to choose an account specifically for children – but in many cases the child accounts have better rates.
Credit unions are also worth considering for children.
Figures correct November 2024
See Other Interest Rates on Savings Accounts