Custodial Savings Account

You can open a Custodial Savings account for any child or young person under the age of 18, whether or not you are related to them.

Any legal adult who wants to build up savings for a child can open a Custodial Savings account. There are two types of Custodial Savings accounts: accounts subject to parental authority and accounts not subject to parental authority. The main difference between the two lies in who owns the account assets.
An account subject to parental authority can be opened by someone with parental responsibility, generally the child’s father or mother, regardless of their civil status (married, separated, divorced, cohabiting partners), and the child is the owner of the account assets. An account not subject to parental authority can be opened by any adult, such as a grandparent, godparent, or family friend. That person is the owner of the account assets until the child turns 18, at which point the assets become the property of the child.
More details about the two types of accounts can be found in the “Custodial Savings accounts” brochure.

For accounts subject to parental responsibility: one or both parents.

For accounts not subject to parental responsibility: the person opening the account (the “custodian”).

You only need to bring your legal ID. However, you should have the following information on hand: the child’s first and last name, date of birth, and mailing address.

No, you can only open a Custodial Savings account for a child who is already born.

You can open a Custodial Savings account at any BCV branch. No appointment is necessary.

No, currently it is only possible to open a Custodial Savings account at a BCV branch.

It depends on whether the account is subject to parental authority or not. For more information, please see the “Custodial Savings accounts” brochure.

This information can be found in the “Custodial Savings accounts” brochure.

One month before the child’s birthday, you will receive a Custodial Savings account certificate in the mail to present to the child if you wish. On the day the child turns 18, the account is automatically converted into a Young Savers account, which they will be responsible for managing on their own. They will also receive a letter from BCV informing them of the existence of the account and inviting them to visit a BCV branch and present their ID to confirm ownership of the account.

No, the Custodial Savings account and the money it holds will automatically be turned over to the child on the day they turn 18.