Gareth Shaw: Few options to set up savings for grandchildren overseas

Q I would like to create a savings account for my granddaughter to benefit from in the future. However, as she lives in New Zealand I cannot open a UK account in her name, and have been unable to find any way in which regular savings can be ring-fenced for her future benefit. Do you have any suggestions?
A This is a tricky situation – very few, if any, banks will allow you to open up a savings account for somebody that is not a resident in the UK.
The reasons why are sound – banks cannot facilitate fraud or money-laundering and while your purposes are purely innocent, there is a risk that... read more