Building Society Children’s Regular Saver Accounts UK

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UK Children’s Savings Comparison · September 2026

Building Society Children’s Regular Saver Accounts UK

Children’s regular saver accounts let a parent, grandparent, guardian or sometimes the child put away a limited amount each month. The strongest live building society rate we verified on 22 September 2026 is currently 6.00% AER on Monmouthshire Building Society’s Young Regular Saver, but its branch/agency opening requirement means it will not be practical for every UK family.

Other live options include Penrith at 4.45%, Principality, Skipton and Suffolk at 4.00%, and several accounts with different withdrawal, age and local-residency rules. The important question is therefore not simply “which rate is highest?” but who owns the money, who can operate the account, how much can be paid in and whether the savings can be taken out before age 18.

Compare Children’s Regular Savers Choose by Child’s Age & Access Check the £100 Parent Tax Rule
Rates change: most children’s regular savers below have variable rates and can be repriced. A building society may also withdraw a product to new customers. Open the official provider page again immediately before applying.

Independent comparison reviewed 22 September 2026. Building-society.org is not connected with any of the societies listed below.

Children’s Regular Saver Accounts: Quick Answers

Highest live rate verified 6.00% AER Monmouthshire Building Society Young Regular Saver, variable.
Strong five-year option 4.45% AER Penrith Building Society Junior Affinity Regular Saver, variable.
Fixed-rate child regular saver 4.00% AER Principality 3 Year Children’s Regular Saver, fixed for three years.
Teen-focused saver 4.00% AER Skipton Young Regular Saver for ages 12–17.
Largest monthly limit checked £250 Hinckley & Rugby Children’s Regular Saver currently accepts up to £250 per calendar month.
Current standard FSCS protection £120,000 Per eligible person, per authorised firm, subject to FSCS rules.
A regular saver is not a lump-sum account. If you save £100 each month, the final £1,200 has not been earning the headline AER for a full year. Each monthly contribution earns interest for a different length of time.

Building Society Children’s Regular Saver Rates: September 2026

The table focuses on live accounts specifically designed to build a child’s savings through regular monthly deposits. Products are not ranked as recommendations; the age, location and access rules can matter more than a small rate difference.

Account
Rate
Monthly saving
Age / eligibility
Access / opening
Monmouthshire Building Society Young Regular Saver Issue 1
6.00%
£1–£100
Under 18; ages 14–17 can open for themselves. UK resident excluding Northern Ireland.
Withdrawals allowed. Branch or agency.
Penrith Building Society Junior Affinity Regular Saver
4.45%
£5–£100
UK residents aged 0–16 when opening.
Five-year term; up to two withdrawals a year. Branch or post.
Principality 3 Year Children’s Regular Saver
4.00% fixed
Up to £150
Under 16. Under 14 must normally be opened in trust.
No withdrawals during three-year term. Branch, agency or post.
Skipton Building Society Young Regular Saver
4.00%
Up to £100
Ages 12–17.
Penalty-free withdrawals. Branch or post.
Suffolk Building Society Children’s Regular Saver (Trust)
4.00%
£1–£200
Child under 18; parent, grandparent or legal guardian acts as trustee.
No partial withdrawals; closure permitted under account rules. Branch or post.
Saffron Building Society Ladybird Regular Saver
3.95%
Regular monthly saving; check live issue limits
Children’s savings account; confirm current age criteria before applying.
12-month variable account with withdrawals available. Branch-based.
Vernon Building Society Junior Regular Saver
3.75%
£5–£100
Ages 5–11.
Unlimited withdrawals. Open in branch.
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society Children’s Regular Saver
3.65%
Up to £250
Under 18; ages 13–17 can operate the account themselves.
No partial withdrawals; early access requires closure. Branch, agency or post.
Mansfield Building Society Young Regular Saver Issue 3
3.65%
£1–£100
Under 18; local-area or existing-member eligibility applies.
Two penalty-free withdrawals per calendar year. Branch or post.
Chorley Building Society Children’s Regular Saver
1.50%
Up to £150
Children’s account; ID rules apply for under-18s.
Unlimited withdrawals. Apply by post; check branch availability.
Do not compare the percentages alone. Principality pays 4.00% fixed but locks the money for three years. Skipton also pays 4.00% but permits withdrawals. Suffolk pays 4.00% but operates as a trust account with no partial withdrawals. They solve different savings problems.

Monmouthshire Young Regular Saver — 6.00% AER

Monmouthshire Building Society’s Young Regular Saver Issue 1 currently pays 6.00% AER/gross variable, making it the highest live child-specific building society regular saver verified in this review.

Rate 6.00% Variable AER/gross.
Monthly deposit £1–£100 Maximum account balance for the 12-month term is currently £1,200 before interest.
Who can open it? A child aged 14–17 can open the account themselves. An authorised adult can operate it for a younger child.
Access Withdrawals are permitted without notice or an access charge under the current product terms.
Practical limitation: this account must currently be opened and managed through a Monmouthshire branch or agency. The child must be a UK resident, excluding Northern Ireland, so the headline rate does not mean the account is equally convenient nationwide.

Official productMonmouthshire Young Regular Saver

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the current 6.00% AER because the rate is variable.
  2. Check the child’s age and residency eligibility.
  3. Read who can act as an authorised signatory for a child under 18.
  4. Check the £100 monthly payment limit.
  5. Use the branch or agency finder before planning to apply.
  6. Save the current terms before opening the account.

Penrith Junior Affinity Regular Saver — 4.45% AER

Penrith Building Society’s Junior Affinity Regular Saver currently pays 4.45% gross/AER variable. It is a much longer commitment than most regular savers, running for five years.

Monthly saving £5 to £100 for up to 60 months.
Opening age Available to UK residents aged 0–16 at opening.
Withdrawals Up to two withdrawals per calendar year, provided at least the minimum balance remains.
Affinity element Penrith makes a payment to the linked community organisation based on balances held in qualifying affinity accounts.
Five-year term: this is not simply a one-year account renewed automatically. Penrith describes it as a five-year monthly-subscription account and does not normally allow closure before maturity except in specified circumstances.

Official PenrithPenrith Junior Affinity Regular Saver

After opening this link:

  1. Check that 4.45% AER is still displayed.
  2. Read the five-year term before deciding the account fits the child’s goal.
  3. Check the £5–£100 monthly payment range.
  4. Read the two-withdrawal rule carefully.
  5. Download the application form and identification requirements.
  6. If applying by post, follow Penrith’s current instructions for the opening cheque and proof of identity.

Principality 3 Year Children’s Regular Saver — 4.00% Fixed

Principality’s account stands out because its 4.00% AER/gross rate is fixed for three years. Most other children’s regular savers in this comparison have variable rates.

4.00% Fixed gross/AER for the three-year term.
£150 Maximum that can currently be paid in each calendar month.
£5,400 Current maximum contribution balance before interest.
Under 16 Child must meet the published age criteria when opening.
No partial withdrawals: money cannot normally be withdrawn during the three-year term. The account can be closed early, but that is different from using it as an easy-access savings pot.
Principality’s own illustration says saving £150 each month for 36 months would produce an estimated £5,741.48 under its stated assumptions: £5,400 contributed plus £341.48 interest.

Official PrincipalityPrincipality 3 Year Children’s Regular Saver

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the current 4.00% fixed AER.
  2. Check whether the child is under 16.
  3. If the child is under 14, read the trustee-account requirement.
  4. Check the £150 monthly contribution limit.
  5. Read the no-withdrawal rule and early-closure process.
  6. Download and retain the product terms before applying in branch or by post.

Skipton Young Regular Saver — 4.00% AER for Ages 12–17

Skipton’s Young Regular Saver is aimed specifically at teenagers aged 12 to 17. It currently pays 4.00% gross p.a./AER variable for a 12-month term.

Saving rules

  • Open from £1.
  • Pay in up to £100 each month.
  • You do not have to contribute every month.
  • Unused monthly allowance can currently roll forward within the 12-month contribution limit.

Access rules

  • Withdrawals are permitted without notice.
  • No withdrawal penalty under the current terms.
  • Money belongs to the child.
  • Account moves to an easy-access product when the child reaches 18.
Useful for learning to manage money: children aged 12–17 can be the account holder, while an adult aged 16 or over can act as account operator if needed.

Official SkiptonSkipton Young Regular Saver

After opening this link:

  1. Check the child is aged 12–17.
  2. Confirm the current variable AER.
  3. Read the £100 monthly contribution rule.
  4. Check whether the child will operate the account alone or with an adult operator.
  5. Read Skipton’s current withdrawal and maturity terms.
  6. Use the branch or postal application route shown on the live page.

Suffolk Children’s Regular Saver (Trust) — 4.00% AER

Suffolk Building Society’s Children’s Regular Saver is different because it is explicitly structured as a bare trust savings account. The saved balance and interest belong to the child.

Rate 4.00% Variable gross/AER.
Monthly saving £1–£200 Payments can be made each calendar month subject to the account terms.
Trustees Parent, grandparent or legal guardian can open the account for a child under 18.
Withdrawals No partial withdrawals. Closure is permitted only under the published child-benefit ownership conditions.
This is not the adult’s money. Once money has been placed into a bare trust for the child, the beneficial ownership belongs to the child. The trustee operates the account but should not treat the balance as their own emergency fund.

Official SuffolkSuffolk Children’s Regular Saver (Trust)

After opening this link:

  1. Read the bare-trust explanation before contributing money.
  2. Check that you qualify to act as trustee.
  3. Confirm the current 4.00% variable AER.
  4. Read the £1–£200 monthly payment rules.
  5. Read the closure rule because partial withdrawals are not allowed.
  6. Download the application, identity and FSCS documents before applying.

More Building Society Children’s Regular Saver Accounts

Saffron Ladybird Regular Saver 3.95% Variable 12-month child regular saver. Branch-based with withdrawals available.

Open official Saffron product page

Vernon Junior Regular Saver 3.75% Ages 5–11, £5–£100 per month, unlimited withdrawals and branch opening.

Open official Vernon children’s accounts

Hinckley & Rugby Children’s Regular Saver 3.65% Up to £250 a month. No partial withdrawals; early access requires account closure.

Open official HRBS account

Mansfield Young Regular Saver 3.65% £1–£100 monthly. Two penalty-free withdrawals per calendar year. Local/existing-member rules apply.

Open official Mansfield account

Chorley Children’s Regular Saver 1.50% Open from £1, pay in up to £150 a month and make unlimited withdrawals.

Open official Chorley account

After opening any product link above: confirm the live rate first, then check the child’s age, monthly limit, who is legally entitled to operate the account, withdrawal rules and whether the product is open nationwide or restricted to branches/local members.

Which Children’s Regular Saver Fits Your Situation?

I want the highest verified rate Start by checking Monmouthshire’s 6.00% account, but only if its branch/agency route is practical for you.
I want a guaranteed rate Principality’s 4.00% rate is fixed for three years, unlike most variable child regular savers.
My child is a teenager Skipton is specifically built for ages 12–17. Monmouthshire also allows eligible 14–17-year-olds to open for themselves.
I want to save more each month Hinckley & Rugby currently permits up to £250 a calendar month.
A grandparent is saving Suffolk explicitly permits eligible grandparents to act as trustees. Other providers have their own operator rules.
I may need withdrawals Skipton, Monmouthshire, Vernon and Chorley offer comparatively flexible access under their current rules.
I do not want the money touched Principality prevents withdrawals during the term, while Suffolk does not permit partial withdrawals.
I want tax-free savings locked to 18 A Junior Cash ISA may suit that goal better than an ordinary children’s regular saver.

Who Actually Owns Money in a Children’s Savings Account?

Do not assume that because an adult opens or operates the account, the adult owns the money. Many child savings accounts state that funds paid in are gifts to the child and belong to the child beneficially.

Child is the account owner

Accounts such as Skipton’s Young Regular Saver make clear that the child owns the balance. Adults may help operate the account, but withdrawals must be consistent with the account rules and the child’s ownership.

Bare trust account

Suffolk’s Children’s Regular Saver is expressly held as a bare trust. The trustee manages the account, but the child is the beneficial owner of the savings and interest.

Do not use a child account as a higher-rate account for your own money. If money is genuinely gifted to the child, ownership consequences can apply even though an adult remains the operator or trustee.

Tax on Children’s Savings: The £100 Parent Rule

Children do not automatically pay tax simply because an ordinary savings account is not an ISA. However, there is a special HMRC rule for interest generated by money given to a child by a parent.

£100 Relevant annual interest threshold for gifts from one parent under HMRC’s settlements rule.
Per parent HMRC applies the £100 test separately to relevant gifts made by each parent.
Not grandparents The specific £100 parent rule does not apply to money given by grandparents, other relatives or friends.
JISA exception Interest inside a Junior ISA is tax-free and is not subject to this ordinary-account £100 rule.
How the parent rule works: if a child receives more than £100 of interest in a tax year from money given by one parent, HMRC can treat all of that relevant interest as the parent’s income for tax purposes. Whether tax is actually payable then depends on the parent’s own tax position and available allowances.

Official GOV.UKGOV.UK: Interest on Savings for Children

After opening this link:

  1. Read the section explaining interest from money given by a parent.
  2. Check whether the child received more than £100 of relevant interest in the tax year.
  3. Remember that the rule concerns interest, not simply the amount deposited.
  4. Read the exceptions for grandparents, relatives, friends, Junior ISAs and Child Trust Funds.
  5. If the amounts are material or ownership is complicated, check with HMRC or a tax professional.

Children’s Regular Saver vs Junior Cash ISA

A children’s regular saver and Junior Cash ISA can both be used to build money for a child, but they solve different problems.

Children’s regular saver

  • Usually limits how much can be paid in each month.
  • May allow withdrawals before age 18.
  • Interest is normally paid gross rather than inside an ISA wrapper.
  • Can have trust, nominee or child-operated structures.
  • Often useful for teaching a child to save regularly.

Junior Cash ISA

  • Interest is tax-free.
  • 2026/27 annual Junior ISA subscription limit is £9,000.
  • Money belongs to the child.
  • The child can take control at 16.
  • Normal withdrawals are not available until age 18.
2026/27 Junior ISA allowance: up to £9,000 can be contributed across a child’s Junior ISAs during the tax year from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

Official Junior ISA rulesGOV.UK Junior ISA Guide

After opening this link:

  1. Check that the child meets the Junior ISA eligibility rules.
  2. Confirm the £9,000 2026/27 contribution limit.
  3. Read who can open and manage the account.
  4. Note that the money belongs to the child.
  5. Read the age-16 control rule and age-18 withdrawal rule.
  6. If the child already has a Child Trust Fund, read the transfer requirement before opening a Junior ISA.

Can Grandparents Open a Regular Saver for a Grandchild?

Sometimes, but provider rules differ. A grandparent should not assume every child regular saver permits them to be the account operator.

Suffolk Explicitly allows an eligible parent, grandparent or legal guardian to act as trustee.
Monmouthshire A grandparent can be an authorised signatory with the required parental consent under the current rules.
Mansfield Parent, grandparent or legal guardian can act as account operator where the product conditions are satisfied.
Tax point GOV.UK says the special £100 parental-interest rule does not apply to money given by grandparents, relatives or friends.
A gift from a grandparent can still become the child’s money. The tax exception from the parental £100 rule does not mean the grandparent keeps beneficial ownership of money genuinely gifted to the child.

Documents You May Need to Open a Child Regular Saver

Small building societies commonly use branch or postal applications, so identification requirements can be more important than they are with an app-only adult savings account.

Child’s birth certificate or passport.
Evidence of the child’s address where requested.
Parent, guardian or trustee photo identification.
Adult operator proof of address.
Evidence of parental responsibility if relevant.
Opening cheque or debit-card payment where required.
Standing-order details for regular deposits.
Existing building society membership number if applying for a loyalty/local product.
Do not post original documents automatically. Follow the individual society’s identification instructions. Some accept certified copies or electronic verification, while others may request specific original documents in branch.

Local and Branch Restrictions Matter

Smaller mutuals often pay competitive child-savings rates because they operate through local branches, agencies or postal applications rather than nationwide digital platforms.

Monmouthshire Branch or agency opening makes location important even though the published residency test covers most UK residents outside Northern Ireland.
Penrith Branch and postal application. The physical branch is at 7 King Street, Penrith, Cumbria.
Vernon Junior Regular Saver is branch-based. Vernon’s branch network is concentrated around Stockport.
Mansfield Normally limited to children in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or South Yorkshire, with an existing-member route for some families outside the area.
A nationally available 4.00% postal account may be more practical than a 6.00% product requiring repeated travel to a distant branch. Compare the service route as well as the rate.

Are Children’s Building Society Savings FSCS Protected?

Eligible deposits at UK-authorised building societies are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Since 1 December 2025, the standard deposit-protection limit has been £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm.

Child-owned account FSCS says an individual account held in a child’s name can be protected up to £120,000 across eligible deposits held for that child within the same authorised firm.
Beneficial ownership Accounts where the child is the beneficial owner can count towards the child’s protection rather than the adult trustee’s personal limit.
Junior ISA If a Junior ISA provider fails and compensation is due, FSCS says compensation must be paid into another ISA rather than simply cashed out.
Shared authorisation Check whether brands share the same banking licence before assuming separate £120,000 limits.

Official FSCSFSCS Deposit Protection Limit

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the current £120,000 standard limit.
  2. Use the bank and savings checker for the chosen building society.
  3. Check whether another savings brand shares the same authorisation.
  4. If money is held in trust, check whose protection limit applies based on beneficial ownership.
  5. Keep provider statements and trust/account-opening records showing who owns the money.

Why the Highest AER Does Not Mean the Most Interest

Regular savers are funded gradually. If you contribute £100 at the start of each month, the first £100 earns interest for roughly a year while the final £100 may earn for only about one month before the annual illustration point.

Regular saver

Usually gives a higher headline AER but limits monthly deposits. It suits money being accumulated from pocket money, gifts or monthly family contributions.

Lump-sum children’s account

May pay a lower AER but allows a larger amount to start earning immediately. This can produce more actual interest when a family already has a substantial lump sum.

Compare the amount that will actually sit in the account and for how long, not just the displayed percentage.

Common Mistakes With Children’s Regular Savers

Using the account for the adult’s own cash If the balance belongs to the child, it should not be treated as a temporary high-rate pot for the parent.
Ignoring the monthly cap A payment over the stated limit may be rejected, returned or breach the account terms.
Assuming every account is easy access Principality allows no withdrawals during the term and Suffolk allows no partial withdrawals.
Missing local eligibility Some of the best-paying mutual accounts require branch access, local residency or an existing family membership connection.
Forgetting the £100 parent-interest rule Ordinary child savings can have different tax consequences from a Junior ISA when the parent supplied the money.
Choosing only by rate A slightly lower-rate account with appropriate access can be more useful than a higher-rate account the family cannot practically operate.

Before Opening an Account: Parent or Guardian Checklist

Confirm the child’s age eligibility.
Check whether the account is child-owned or held in trust.
Confirm who may operate the account.
Check the current AER and whether it is fixed or variable.
Check minimum and maximum monthly deposits.
Read missed-payment rules.
Read withdrawal and closure rules.
Check the account maturity age or term.
Confirm local, branch or member restrictions.
Check required identity documents.
Review the parent £100 interest tax rule.
Confirm FSCS protection and beneficial ownership.

Related Building Society Savings Guides

Nationwide Building Society Savings Rates 2026 Skipton Building Society Savings Rates 2026 Coventry Building Society Savings Rates 2026 Vernon Building Society: Savings, Mortgages & Branch Help

Official Sources Used for This Comparison

Monmouthshire Young Regular Saver Penrith Junior Affinity Regular Saver Principality Children’s Regular Saver Skipton Young Regular Saver Suffolk Children’s Regular Saver Saffron Ladybird Regular Saver Vernon Young Saver Accounts Hinckley & Rugby Children’s Regular Saver Mansfield Young Regular Saver Chorley Children’s Regular Saver GOV.UK Children’s Savings Tax GOV.UK Junior ISA Rules FSCS Deposit Protection
After opening an official source: match the exact product name or issue, confirm the current AER, read the monthly deposit limit, check access and ownership rules, then save the Summary Box or terms that apply on the date the account is opened.

How This Children’s Savings Comparison Was Checked

Live building society product pages checked.
Rates compared using AER.
Monthly contribution limits reviewed.
Child age criteria checked where published.
Withdrawal rules reviewed.
Trust and ownership wording reviewed.
Branch, post and local eligibility noted.
2026/27 Junior ISA allowance checked.
HMRC £100 parental-interest rule checked.
Current £120,000 FSCS limit checked.

Last full editorial review: 22 September 2026. Variable rates and open product issues can change after publication.

Independent Financial Information Notice

Building-society.org is an independent information website and is not connected with Monmouthshire, Penrith, Principality, Skipton, Suffolk, Saffron, Vernon, Hinckley & Rugby, Mansfield, Chorley or any other building society mentioned on this page.

This page is not personalised financial or tax advice. Ownership, trust arrangements, parental gifts and tax treatment depend on the account structure and the family’s circumstances.

Verify before depositing: confirm the live rate, monthly contribution limit, child age, ownership terms, withdrawal rules, local eligibility and FSCS information directly with the building society before opening an account or gifting money to a child.

Building Society Children’s Regular Saver FAQs

1. Which building society has the highest children’s regular saver rate?

Among the live child-specific building society regular saver accounts checked on 22 September 2026, Monmouthshire Building Society’s Young Regular Saver Issue 1 displayed the highest rate at 6.00% AER/gross variable. It must currently be opened and managed in branch or through an agency, so practical availability matters.

2. How much can I save each month for a child?

It depends on the account. Current examples range from £100 a month at Monmouthshire, Penrith, Skipton, Vernon and Mansfield to £150 at Principality and Chorley, £200 at Suffolk and £250 at Hinckley & Rugby. Always check the exact live product limit.

3. Can grandparents open a children’s regular saver?

Some building societies allow this. Suffolk explicitly permits eligible grandparents to act as trustees, while Monmouthshire and Mansfield also provide routes involving grandparents under their current conditions. Other societies may require a parent, guardian or parental consent.

4. Can a child withdraw money from a regular saver?

That depends on the product and the child’s age. Skipton and Monmouthshire currently allow withdrawals, while Principality does not permit withdrawals during its three-year term. Hinckley & Rugby allows early access only by closing the account. Read the specific account rules before depositing.

5. Does the money in a children’s savings account belong to the child?

Often yes. Several providers explicitly state that money paid into the account belongs to the child. Suffolk’s Children’s Regular Saver is structured as a bare trust in which the child is the beneficial owner even though an adult trustee operates the account.

6. Is interest on a child’s savings account tax-free?

Not automatically. Ordinary children’s savings interest is generally paid gross, and tax depends on the child’s and family’s circumstances. A special HMRC rule can treat interest from money given by a parent as the parent’s income if the relevant interest from that parent’s gift exceeds £100 in a tax year.

7. Does the £100 parent tax rule apply to money given by grandparents?

GOV.UK says the specific £100 parental-interest rule does not apply to money given by grandparents, other relatives or friends. Other tax and ownership rules can still apply, so this should not be treated as a way for an adult to retain ownership of money genuinely gifted to a child.

8. Is a Junior Cash ISA better than a children’s regular saver?

They are different. A Junior Cash ISA provides tax-free interest and normally locks the child’s money until age 18. A regular saver may offer more flexible access and encourage monthly saving but can have ordinary savings tax rules. The 2026/27 Junior ISA subscription limit is £9,000.

9. Are children’s building society accounts protected by FSCS?

Eligible deposits at UK-authorised building societies are generally covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per eligible person, per authorised firm. For a child-owned account, the child’s beneficial ownership is relevant to the protection calculation.

10. What documents are needed to open a children’s regular saver?

Requirements vary, but providers may ask for the child’s birth certificate or passport, evidence of address, adult trustee or operator identification and proof of parental responsibility where relevant. Postal and branch products may have different document-certification requirements.

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