Skip to main content of page

FlexOne current account

Our fee-free children's account for 11- to 17-year-olds to help you manage your money and earn interest. Which? Recommended Provider for current accounts.

Current account switch guarantee

Why choose our FlexOne

  • Take your first steps into banking
    You can save your pocket money or, if you have a job, your wages can be paid in directly. You’ll get 2% AER (1.98% gross a year) variable on balances up to £1,000. We calculate interest every day and pay it once a month into your account.

  • Bank how you like
    Manage your account in our app or internet bank, over the phone or in a branch.

  • No fees for maintaining the account, even when you’re travelling
    We don’t charge any monthly fee for maintaining the account. You can even pay with your card while on holiday and there’s no Nationwide transaction fee.

  • An account that will grow with you
    You can keep your FlexOne until you're 23. We'll then move you to one of our adult accounts.

  • A choice of 2 cards
    If you're aged 11 to 17 and a half, you can choose between a cash card and Visa debit card with our children's bank account. Cash cards can only be used to get money from cash machines and print mini statements. From 17 and a half, you’ll need to use a Visa debit card.

  • A savings account just for FlexOne current account members
    By opening a FlexOne current account, you are eligible for a FlexOne Saver account. From aged 16, other savings accounts are available to you.

Important:

If you're 11 or 12 years old you can only open your account by using a tablet in one of our branches. You'll need to make sure you're with an adult with parental responsibility when you apply. Remember, you'll both need to bring ID with you.

Visit your local branch

To apply for FlexOne

You need to:

  • be 11 to 17 years old
  • be a UK resident
  • agree the account is for personal use only.

Which? Recommended for current accounts

We’re proud to be a Which? Recommended Provider for current accounts.

Join us and find out why we’re a good way to bank. We share our profits with our members, are first in high street banking satisfaction and keep our branches open.*

Ready to apply for our FlexOne children's bank account?

If you've already researched FlexOne and know it's the right bank account for you.

Apply for FlexOne

Make banking easier with our app

However you like to bank with us, the Nationwide app makes it easier and quicker.

  • Log in with your fingerprint, face recognition or passnumber
  • Manage your payments - set up, change and cancel standing orders
  • Set savings goals
  • Round up your spending and put the extra into a savings account
  • Freeze your debit card if you can’t find it, unfreeze it if it turns up
  • If you ever need to, set up a gambling block
Take a tour of our app

Manage your account your way

  1. Keep track of your money

    Stay up-to-date with alerts from our app or by text. And you can go paperless to keep track digitally.

  2. Visa debit card

    You'll be set up to make contactless payments up to £45 with your Visa debit card.

    Find out more about contactless with a FlexOne

FlexOne is Five-Star Rated

FlexOne is Five-Star Rated by Moneyfacts as a children’s bank account that stands out from the rest. And whether you’re opening a new account or switching, we’ve got another Five-Star Rating for making it as easy as possible.

Choose your card

When you open a FlexOne current account, depending on your age you’ll need to choose between a cash card or a Visa debit card.

Once you’re 18, we’ll automatically switch you to a Visa debit card if you don’t already have one.

A table showing the differences between FlexOne’s cash card and Visa debit card.
Feature FlexOne cash card FlexOne Visa debit card
Can be used at cash machines Yes Yes
Take up to £300 out per day at a cash machine Yes Yes
Pay for things in shops No Yes
Buy things online No Yes
Buy things over the phone No Yes
Contactless payments up to £45 No Yes
Pay for things with your mobile phone No Yes

Contactless with you in control

We're always working hard to keep our younger members and their money safe. So, if you apply for a FlexOne, the debit card will be limited to £45 for contactless payments in the UK. This is instead of the usual £100.

As a parent, you can also restrict the ability to make contactless payments further. For that little bit of extra security. You just need to call us to discuss contactless.

I'm 18 and over and already have a FlexOne

Your FlexOne debit card will be limited to £45 for contactless payments the UK. But we have a great range of adult current accounts available. They all come with a £100 limit for contactless payments.

Compare our main adult current accounts

Fees, charges and important documents

Before you apply, make sure you read the following documents.

Charitable Assignment

We don’t charge a monthly fee for maintaining the account or for anything else.

Apply for FlexOne

Your age will impact how you can apply for FlexOne.

Related links

I need help with my account

Our current account help section has the answers to our most commonly asked questions.

We also have a quick guide to using your current account covering your everyday banking.

Your money is protected

Your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person, or £240,000 for joint accounts, per provider.

Bringing Nationwide and Virgin Money together

Virgin Money’s business will become part of Nationwide on 2 April 2026, subject to Court approval. Once the transfer completes, your total combined deposits with Nationwide and Virgin Money will be covered up to £120,000 per person, or £240,000 for joint accounts.

More about the Virgin Money acquisition

*‘Share our profits with our members’ refers to our Fairer Share Payment. If you bank as well as save or have a mortgage with us, you could benefit from our Fairer Share Payments. Some members have received £300 in Fairer Share Payments since 2023. It's our intention to make a payment every year, but this will depend on how we perform financially. We may change the amount and the eligibility criteria based on that performance. See the eligibility criteria for the 2025 Fairer Share Payment.

‘First in high street banking satisfaction’ refers to ‘Best high street banking provider for customer satisfaction’ in the building society and banking sector, as reported by The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (January 2026) published by The Institute of Customer Service. Of the 18 banking providers included, our high street banking peer group consists of banking brands with their own branches (excluding hubs and the Post Office).

‘Keep our branches open’ refers to our promise to keep every one of our branches open until at least the start of 2030. Excludes circumstances beyond our control. Branch opening times may vary. Learn more about our Branch Promise.