Best Bank Checking Account for Teens June 2023: Top 7 Picks & Reviews
Reviewed by Randolph Vialva, MBA
The article is checked by our editorial team, Which includes entrepreneurs who are painfully aware of how overwhelming and challenging it is to start a business for the first time.
All products recommended by Bizreport are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
From balancing a budget to figuring out monthly fees, a teen checking account is a good way to teach your young person how to handle money better. Teen checking accounts may also link to a savings account, are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation so your money is protected, allow for a deposit, and teach financial skills. Read on to learn all you need to know about the best teen checking accounts so you can start teaching personal finance early.
What Is a Bank Checking Account for Teens?
The best teen checking accounts help improve kids’ money literacy. Checking accounts for teens can be used just like a regular checking account – the account owner sets up direct deposits from a part-time job or allowance, withdraws money, pays for items using a debit card, and with interest-bearing accounts will earn a little money, too. The difference between a traditional checking and a teen checking account is that the teen’s guardians also have access. This is important as young adults need to pay for college tuition and things like books, dorm fees, etc., but are not always ready to fully manage their money account alone. This type of teen checking account allows an informed adult co-owner access to help create spending and saving habits.
Read More: Best Savings Account for Kids
7 Best Bank Checking Account for Teens 2023
- Chase First Banking: Best Overall
- Capital One MONEY Teen Checking: Most Affordable
- Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking: Best Joint Account
- Alliant Credit Union Teen Checking: Lowest Fees
- Copper Banking: Least Responsive
- Axos Bank First Checking: Best to build independence
- USAA Youth Spending account: Fewest physical locations
7 Best Bank Checking Account for Teens June 2023
Chase First Banking
The Chase high school checking account is for Chase high school checking accounts similar to a kids club savings account and can be managed directly from a qualifying Chase checking account through a banking app. This makes the account very convenient for families. It also has a good annual percentage yield (APY) so money grows faster.
- No monthly service fee
- Competitive Annual Percentage Yield
- No minimum deposit accounts
- Age Limitations
- Must link to existing Chase Checking
Chase high school checking tops our list because of the connective features of the account, however, it does require a link to an existing Chase Total Checking Account so be prepared to open this account if it isn’t already held. The account will include a debit card, a crucial first step in teaching kids money management. This account also has age limitations; you can open the account at age 6, but the account can only remain a teen account through age 17. After this, the account automatically converts to the child. There are zero monthly service fees, making it very economical.
Capital One MONEY Teen Checking
Capital One’s MONEY Teen Checking Account has many safeguards parents will like including optional parental controls to set spending limits ensuring overdraft protection or insufficient funds fees. The account does earn interest, though the Annual Percentage Yield is lower than many other accounts. However, there are age limitations. This account can be opened at age 8, but only remains a teen’s account through age 18, at which point the account must shift to an adult account.
- Parental controls
- No minimum deposit
- Debit card
- Few physical branch locations
- Age Limitations
- Lower Annual Percentage Yield
There are very few physical brand locations with the Capital One MONEY Teen Checking account, which may be annoying for some families. However, for those comfortable with online banks, this account does have many features like parental controls, and no minimum balance or initial minimum deposit amounts.
Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking
Eligibility for the Connexus account was limited to the children of current and former employees, students of certain alumni groups, and residents of certain communities within the states of Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. However, they have lifted some of these requirements, so that anyone can enroll with a $5 donation. For accounts with a balance of $1,000 or lower, there is an APY of 2.00%; above that is a dividend rate of 0.25% for balances over $1,000.
- Legal Guardian control features
- High Annual Percentage Yield
- Fee free
- APY limited to $1,000 balances
- No out of network ATMs rebates
Connexus has a highly rated digital experience and mobile app, making it a good choice for those familiar with online banking or online bill pay. And, it has one of the highest APYs available for teen accounts, however, that high APY will only apply to balances under $1,000.
Alliant Credit Union Teen Checking
Like Connexus, Alliant is an innovative checking account that has lifted some of the membership limitations that come with its credit union account; with a $5 donation, those who don’t meet their traditional membership requirements can become members. The membership fee is then credited to the account once sign-up is complete.
- Competitive APY
- Parental controls
- No monthly minimums
- Membership limitations
- Dividend requirements
Although Alliant’s account does have a good APY, there are dividend limitations that can be confusing and may limit the amount of interest earned on the account. However, the company has a strong online presence and a quality mobile app, making it a good choice for those comfortable with online banking.
Copper Banking
The key to the Copper Banking account is that it is focused on building a teen’s financial literacy. This account is set up to help teens learn to budget, set spending limits and savings goals, and better understand how personal finance works. However, there are limited parental controls and the account doesn’t include an APY which means a slower build-up toward financial goals.
- Teen literacy
- App for teens and parents
- Few monthly fees
- No APY
- Smartphone limitations
- Limited parent features
For those focused on teaching teens to manage money, the Copper account is a good choice. The account is FDIC insured and includes a good mobile app. However, the app works best on a smartphone and has limited parental control features. However, it does allow parents to transfer money for allowance, and there are no monthly fees, so no surprises if the teen goes overboard.
Axos Bank First Checking
For teens ready for a bit more control over their money, the Axos First Checking may be a good fit like the MONEY Teen Checking Account. There are no service fees, and the account will earn interest. The account also includes real-time alerts, which may help the teen better understand balances, spending, and saving amounts. However, there are very limited parental controls, which may lead to problems for teens who aren’t ready for the responsibility of an account.
- No monthly service fees
- APY
- Real-time alerts
- No investment products
- Few parental controls
Like Evolve Bank, this account doesn’t include some of the built-in parental features of other accounts, like allowance management and parent lending. However, it does include a generous APY for financial goals and comes with a debit card with the teen’s name on it. Real-time transaction alerts and spending notifications are also good features for teens with some financial literacy.
USAA Youth Spending account
The USAA account has no monthly fee for either savings or best checking accounts, includes generous ATM monthly fee reimbursement terms for out-of-network ATM machines, and has a strong mobile application. The organization is affiliated with the US military and is available to both veterans and their dependents, however, for those unfamiliar or uncomfortable with mobile banking, there are limitations to its digital footprint.
- No fees
- Mobile Accessibility
- Military affiliation
- Limited APY
- 5 physical branches
- Military affiliation
The USAA account is only available to military veterans or their dependents, making it limited; it also has only five physical branches so users will have to build their digital and mobile banking knowledge base. The account does include interest-bearing features, but these are low compared to other best checking accounts.
How a Bank Checking Account Helps Parents Teach Their Kids about Saving Money?
In most cases, kids are not responsible for their money. A bank account that parents can still access is a good solution for many types of purchases. These checking accounts allow for debit card transactions, making them convenient, and can accept direct deposits from part-time jobs. Most can also attach to a savings account, teaching money management skills kids need as they begin to move into adulthood. Also, many are monthly fee-free, which means no unexpected costs from things like monthly maintenance fees. Outside of learning the financial ropes, these checking accounts offer other benefits – most have a grace period for overdraft protection fees, will waive the monthly maintenance fee, and many will either waive or reimburse out-of-ATM fees. This is an important service, especially, for those teens who attend college out of state from their home bank.
Motivate youngsters to work to earn money
With a teen checking account, a parent can help the child create savings goals for larger purchases, like their first car, and can teach how to budget for monthly expenses such as the insurance payments for that new car. This kind of account can also include different silos or buckets so that teens can put certain amounts toward short or long-term savings goals and watch as those amounts begin to grow.
Make teens spend wisely
The best teen checking accounts can help build wise spending habits. Habits such as delayed gratification teach the child to work toward a purchase rather than not having money available for a purchase that is needed. These checking accounts also help in setting spending and savings goals for larger purchases like a new car, a first apartment, or a home, and may even help create very long-term savings goals like those for retirement.
Spending reviews
A teen bank account may also influence the young person to check on reviews prior to buying certain items or using certain websites for purchases. This will carry over into adulthood when the child doesn’t have a parent or guardian to rely on when deciding on larger purchases.
What Do You Need to Open a Bank Checking Account for Teens?
Credit unions and financial institutions have specific steps to follow to open a student account. In general, you will need to go to a physical branch location with the minimum opening deposit, two forms of identification such as a passport and driver’s license, the university or college address with a letterhead, enrollment verification, proof of your home address and proof of your university address, even if that address is off-campus. Once you have these items, speak with a customer service representative to open the account, making sure you have login information for the mobile app and understand any direct deposit rules.
How to Choose The Best Bank Checking Account for Teens?
Choosing the right teen checking account will depend on your needs:
- Does the student understand the basics of financial management?
- Will the parents also need access to make direct deposits or will the student use an employer’s direct deposit feature?
Once these questions are answered, choose the account that offers the most benefits to the student:
- Which account has the best annual percentage yield for interest?
- Which accounts can connect savings with teen checking accounts?
- Look for fee-free accounts
A teen checking account needs to be easy to use, versatile for credit and debit card purchases and should include a simple transition from student to a personal checking account once the teen or young adult is ready for more responsibility.
How Much Does a Bank Checking Account for Teens Cost?
Most teen checking accounts are free while the student is still enrolled in school, however, this may depend on minimum balance requirements. Be sure to read all of the account rules prior to opening the account.
Fees
Fees may include a monthly maintenance fee, a fee charged if the account dips below a minimum threshold, and overdraft fees.
Minimum balance requirements
Some credit unions and financial institutions will require a minimum amount to open an account and will require that an account not fall below a certain amount. If the account falls below that amount, the bank will charge a fee to the account until the money is deposited that moving the balance above that minimum threshold.
Accessibility
Some accounts are online only, meaning that you cannot visit a physical branch to make deposits, open or close the account, or withdraw. For these accounts, make sure you know which ATMs are in or out of the network to avoid any associated withdrawal fees.
Parental supervision
Most teen accounts include a parental supervision element. This means the parent can log in to the account to check balances, ensure there will be no overdraft fee, how money is being spent, and to ensure savings goals are on track. In some cases, this account will also link to the parent account for simplicity in money transfers, but the parent account will not be automatically charged if an account is overdrawn.
Customer service experience
Customer service is important with these early accounts because it teaches the teen what to expect from a banker when making deposits or paying an overdraft fee. Most accounts include free telephone or online chat support, but with financial institutions with a local branch, you can also go to the branch when in need of customer support.
Safety
A teen checking account will include safety features like being FDIC insured, which means your money is safe from financial insecurity such as fluctuating markets. Many of these accounts also include fraud protection so that purchases can be easily returned, canceled, or reported if the item is not received.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for an online bank, or a local bank, or need a combination of the great personal service of credit unions on a national scale, there are options available for students to open checking or savings accounts. Most student accounts will include a bank Visa debit card, many are fee free or have low or waived monthly maintenance fees while a student, and offer both accounts online and mobile banking as well as bank ATM transactions, deposit, and cash withdrawal features. Connecting savings accounts to checking can be a good way for a new college student to begin learning money management skills, but still have the security of knowing a parent or guardian can add money if needed to cover larger bills like semester tuition, dorm, and other fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In general, you will need to go to a physical branch location with the minimum opening deposit, two forms of identification such as a passport and driver’s license, the university or college address with a letterhead, enrollment verification, proof of your home address and proof of your university address, even if that address is off-campus.
Teen bank accounts can be opened at either a bank or credit union. At credit unions the experience of a joint account holder may be a higher level of customer service; the drawback is that a financial institution may not be local, which means students attending school out of town or state will not have access to a physical bank location. Being dependent on digital or physical banking options may not be the best idea. A bank, on the other hand, is more likely to have a local location, even if a student attends school far away from home. This can give a better sense of security for both the student account holders and the parent account holders, and most are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration to ensure correct policy and procedure.
This type of checking account allows for debit purchases, making them convenient and most can attach to a savings account which, put together, teaches financial knowledge kids to need as they begin to move into adulthood. Services like roundups or keep-the-change features can quickly grow savings accounts, too. Outside of learning the financial ropes, this bank account offers other benefits to the family – most either don’t charge fees or have a grace period for overdraft fees, most will waive the monthly maintenance fee, and many will either waive or reimburse out of ATM fees.
Teen bank accounts can typically be opened while the young adult is in school and will remain open while the teen is enrolled in school. Some teen accounts have the extended option to remain open through age 25. The minimum opening deposit is similar to opening a regular account: present identification, bring the minimum opening deposit and sign the enrollment papers.
This will depend on the user’s comfort level with financial management, banking accounts, and having online banking access or having the option to go to a physical branch location to make a minimum opening deposit or ATM withdrawals. For those very comfortable with money management, choosing an online-only bank that has benefits like higher interest rates, waived overdraft fees, and savings account features can be a good solution, especially for those who will attend school far away from home. However, many teens will be most comfortable having the ability to go into a physical branch to handle money matters. In those cases, the family will want to choose a bank that offers online and mobile banking features like an app and deposit, but that still has a physical location near the student’s place of residence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
+ 4 sources
Bizreport Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Bizreport, you can read more about the editorial process here.
-
Trustpilot. Trustpilot. Published 2019. Accessed November 21, 2022. https://www.trustpilot.com
-
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Fdic.gov. Published 2019. Accessed November 21, 2022. https://www.fdic.gov/
-
Overdraft and Account Fees. Fdic.gov. Published December 2021. Accessed November 21, 2022. https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2021-12.html
-
Credit, Debit, and Charge Cards. Consumer Advice. Published August 15, 2012. Accessed November 21, 2022. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0332-credit-debit-charge-cards