Junior ISA

Start saving for the next generation with our tax-free Junior ISA for children under 18

The Junior ISA comes with

From the 9 December 2024, we’re reducing the interest rate on this account to 3.05% AER/tax-free (variable) for all new and existing customers

Account details

Account name

Junior ISA (Issue 2)

 

What is the interest rate?

 AER/tax-free (variable)

 TierAER/tax-free (variable)
Interest rate up to 8 December 2024
 
£1 +3.20%
Interest rate from 9 December 2024
 
£1 +3.05%

Interest is calculated daily and added to this account annually in March. 

  • We work out the interest we’ll pay on the account each day.
  • We pay interest into the account once a year in March. 

 

Can Santander change the interest rate?

Yes, we can change the interest rate on this account as explained in the general terms.

 

What would the estimated balance be after 12 months based on a £1,000 deposit?

Account name Interest rate (AER/tax-free (variable)Interest earnedBalance after 12 months
Junior ISAInterest rate up to 8 December 2024
 
3.20%£32.00£1,032.00
 Interest rate from 9 December 2024
 
3.05%£30.50£1,030.50

To work out the estimated balance, we’ve assumed that: 

  • The account is opened and the initial payment into the account is made on 1st March.
  • No more money is paid in or taken out.
  • There is no change to the interest rate.
  • This product has a variable interest rate. If the interest rate changes you may get more or less interest than the figure shown above.


These illustrations are only examples and don’t take into account individual circumstances.

 

How do I open and manage my account?

Eligibility 

This cash Junior ISA can be opened for a child under 18 who’s a UK resident. A child can only have one of these accounts in their sole name – joint ISAs aren’t allowed.

Under UK law, a child can only have up to two Junior ISAs until their 18th birthday – no more than one cash Junior ISA and one stocks and shares Junior ISA. 

If a cash Junior ISA is already open with us and we receive another application for the same child, we’ll reject it and tell the person who applied that a cash Junior ISA is already open for that child.

A child can’t have a Child Trust Fund at the same time. If they have a Child Trust Fund, it must be transferred in full when applying for the account.

How to open the account 

An account can only be opened in branch. If the child is under 16, an adult with parental responsibility (the ‘registered contact’) must open the account but the money will still belong to the child.

If the child is aged 16 or 17, they can open the account themselves or a registered contact can do this.

 

Managing the account 

  • The account can be managed in branch, over the phone or using Online or Mobile Banking.
  • If the child is under 16, the account must be managed by the registered contact. We’ll contact them about the account. Only the registered contact can give us instructions to manage the account.
  • Once the child turns 16, they can choose to manage the account for themselves without needing permission from the registered contact. Once they’re managing the account, they’ll be the registered contact and can’t then ask for another person to manage it instead. 
  • If the child is not the registered contact on the account they can’t give any instructions to manage the account or receive any communications relating to the account.
  • Until the child manages the account themselves, the registered contact can be changed to another adult with parental responsibility by applying and getting the consent of the current registered contact.

 

Paying money in 

The UK government sets an ‘annual allowance’ which is the maximum that can be paid into all of a child’s Junior ISAs in any tax year, either with us or another provider. The Junior ISA limit for the 2024/25 tax year is £9,000 and deposits for this tax year can be made from 6 April 2024. A tax year runs from 6th of April in one year to 5th of April the next. Save up to the Junior ISA allowance into one cash Junior ISA and/or one stocks and shares Junior ISA per tax year.

  • Minimum balance: None. 
  • Maximum balance: £2 million – but payments can only be made up to the child’s Junior ISA allowance each tax year. 

If payments are made into the cash Junior ISA which would exceed the annual Junior ISA allowance, we can refuse the payment and the reason for the refusal disclosed.

If a child already has a cash Junior ISA, the full balance must be transferred at account opening.

At any time, money can be paid in electronically and some or all of a stocks and shares Junior ISA can be transferred.

If a transfer in request of a Child Trust Fund or a Junior ISA is made, the child and the registered contact on both accounts must be the same.

Any money paid into this account will be treated as a gift to the child and it can’t be repaid.

This product doesn’t accept additional permitted subscriptions.

 

Can I withdraw money?

Money can only be taken out after the account has matured on the child’s 18th birthday. 

At the end of term

We'll transfer the Junior ISA to an ISA Saver on the child's 18th birthday. We'll contact the registered contact around 90 days before maturity and/or the child around 14 days before maturity with more details and the new interest rate.

 

Additional information

Tell us if you change your mind

The account can be cancelled at any time during the ‘cancellation period’ – we won’t charge for it. This is 14 days, starting the day after we confirmed the account is open.

If the account is closed during the cancellation period, we’ll return the money together with any interest we owe. We’ll do this as soon as we can (and within 30 days from when we’re told).

If money was transferred from another Junior ISA provider and the account is cancelled, that provider may not accept the return of the money. If that happens, the account can be kept open or the money can be transferred in full to another Junior ISA provider by contacting them to arrange the transfer.

Closing the account

The account must remain open until the child turns 18. It can’t be closed before this unless the child dies or HMRC have accepted a terminal illness claim and all money has been removed from the cash Junior ISA.

Tax status

A Junior ISA allows the child to earn interest on their savings without paying tax. That means any interest they receive won’t contribute towards their Personal Savings Allowance. 

Junior ISAs are subject to the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998 and other government rules. If those rules aren’t followed, the Junior ISA might become ‘void’ and tax may need to be paid on interest paid. 

Statements and other information

We’ll send a statement once a year in March. 

We’ll send a certificate after the account is opened.

The favourable tax treatment of ISAs may change in the future and is subject to individual circumstances.

Subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. Rates and information correct as at 3 September 2024.

How we manage scam claims

We’ll support you if you’ve fallen victim to fraud. Find out more about our approach to fraud.

Transferring a Child Trust Fund from another provider

A child can’t have a Child Trust Fund and a Junior ISA (of any type) at the same time so if you’re opening a cash Junior ISA with Santander and have a Child Trust Fund elsewhere, you must request to transfer it to Santander. This must be done at the point you open a cash Junior ISA with Santander in branch, Santander will arrange the transfer in and your Child Trust Fund will be closed.

 

Transferring a Junior ISA from another provider

You can transfer in balances from existing Junior ISAs held with another ISA provider to a Santander cash Junior ISA. The Junior ISA being transferred in must be held in the child's name.

 

Transferring in a cash Junior ISA

A child can only have one cash Junior ISA so if you’re opening a cash Junior ISA with Santander and have another cash Junior ISA elsewhere, you must request to transfer it to Santander. This must be done at the point you open a cash Junior ISA with Santander in branch, Santander will arrange the transfer in and your old cash Junior ISA will be closed.

 

Transferring in a stocks and shares Junior ISA 

A child can have one cash Junior ISA and one stocks and shares Junior ISA. If you’re opening a cash Junior ISA with Santander and have a stocks and shares Junior ISA elsewhere, you can choose to keep your stocks and shares Junior ISA or you have the option to request to transfer it to Santander at any time. This can be done by completing the form below. Alternatively, you can request the form by phone on 0800 328 1 328* or in your nearest Santander branch

 

Please consider the following before deciding to transfer your Junior ISA to us

We don't charge a transfer fee but other providers may.  If you are transferring in a cash Junior ISA, the full amount must be transferred in. For stocks and shares Junior ISA transfers in, you can choose to transfer in the full amount or a partial amount. Santander does not provide advice as to whether transferring your Junior ISA(s) is right for you.

Stocks and Shares Junior ISA Transfer Form (PDF - 1.19 MB)

Once you have completed the Stocks and Share Junior ISA Transfer Form, please send to the following address.

Santander ISA
Operations,
Sunderland, SR43 4FR

* Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm Saturdays. View our call charges

Everything you need to know before you apply

We recommend reading the information in the documents below before you apply. You may like to save or print them so you can refer to them in the future.

 

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This account also comes with

Online and Mobile Banking with text and email alerts

Access to the Santander branch network

Telephone Banking

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