Top Checking Accounts for Kids Under Age 20

Do you remember your first bank account?

I’ll admit, my recollection is hazy. I probably wasn’t older than 15 , and I didn’t do much with the account for the first few years of its existence. I deposited a handful of birthday and holiday gifts each year, and that was about it. A few years later, when I began working part-time after school and on weekends, I started using my account more.

Looking back, I realize my parents were more hands-on than most when it came to teaching kids about money. If you have kids, you can take a page out of my parents’ book by opening a joint or custodial account on their behalf. Opening a bank account for your kids and becoming a joint account holder is a great way to:

Reinforce basic banking concepts that we take for granted, such as adding and withdrawing funds
Teach basic budgeting skills and demonstrate the importance of spending less than you earn
Demonstrate the importance of saving, even if it’s just a few dollars per month, to the young child in your life
Get a head-start on long-term savings goals, such as higher education supplies and tuition
Communicate the value of having long-term financial goals in general

Here’s a closer look at the differences between the two major types of kid-friendly bank accounts, plus a roundup of the best checking and savings accounts for kids under age 20.

Bank Accounts for Minor Children: Joint vs. Custodial

With the exception of legal emancipation, U.S. law prohibits children under age 18 from having sole ownership of deposit accounts, such as checking and savings accounts. However, most U.S. banks and credit unions allow children to hold deposit accounts together with a parent.

Minor-friendly bank accounts come in two forms with very different characteristics and permissions: joint accounts and custodial accounts.

Best Checking Accounts for Kids Under Age 18

Most of these accounts are free or low-cost and have low minimum balance requirements. Some have decent interest rates as well. But be sure to carefully review all account disclosures before applying. Unless otherwise noted, these accounts are all structured as joint ownership accounts, not custodial.

1. Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking Account

0.25% APY on All Balances With E-Statements; 1 Direct Deposit Per Month

The Alliant Credit Union Free Teen Checking Account is designed for parents and kids ages 13 to 17. With no monthly maintenance fees or balance requirements, it’s an ideal first checking account for teens with part-time or summer jobs. All accounts come with a free Visa ® debit card and a free first box of checks with both account holders’ names. All balances yield 0.25% APY when you opt into electronic statements and receive at least one direct deposit per month. When the minor account holder turns 18, the account automatically converts to an adult checking account.

You must be an Alliant Credit Union member to open a Free Teen Checking account on your child’s behalf. If you live in the Chicago area, you can join at a physical branch. If not, the easiest way to join is to become a supporter of Foster Care to Success, a partner charity that doesn’t restrict membership by geography. You can find more details about Alliant membership here.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: None.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: 0.25% APY on all balances when you opt into e-statements and receive at least one direct deposit each month.
Rewards and Incentives: Access to more than 80,000 fee-free ATMs around the United States. The account has an automatic daily debit card limit of $100 in cash withdrawals and $300 in total spending to control overspending by young account owners. Each month, account holders get up to $20 in ATM rebates from out-of-network ATMs.
Overdraft Options: You can opt into an overdraft line of credit. Alliant reserves the right to decline transactions that would normally result in overdrafts, depending on prior account usage.
Possible Fees: 1% foreign transaction service fee for ATM withdrawals, $25 per nonsufficient funds (NSF) transaction.

2. Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account

0.10% APY on All Balances

The Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account is a fee-free, paperless checking account for kids ages 13 to 17. With no minimum or ongoing balance requirements and a decent yield on all balances, it’s another solid day-to-day account for kids flexing their financial muscles for the first time.

All accounts come with a free Mastercard® debit card but no checks or electronic bill pay option. Parents can set text or email alerts for specific account actions and transactions to monitor their teen’s spending from a distance. The MONEY Teen Checking account also comes with a nice array of budgeting and balance-tracking features for basic financial education. Account holders under age 18 have a daily limit of $500 in non-PIN transactions, $500 in PIN transactions, and $500 in ATM withdrawals.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: None.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: 0.10% APY on all balances.
Rewards and Incentives: Access to about 40,000 fee-free ATMs around the United States and free mobile deposits through the Capital One app.
Overdraft Options: If you have a savings account with Capital One 360, you can opt into fee-free automatic savings transfers to cover transactions that would typically result in a negative balance. Otherwise, you can apply for an overdraft line of credit, subject to credit approval and fees.
Possible Fees: $25 expedited debit card processing fee, $5 statement copy fee.

3. Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking

Robust Suite of Money Management Tools

The Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking suite is a teen-friendly product available to kids ages 13 to 17 (though kids 16 and under require an adult co-owner). With no maintenance fee for younger account holders and low balance requirements, it’s a great general-purpose checking account for kids learning to budget. However, this account has no yield, so it’s not appropriate for stashing away funds for a rainy day.

Wells Fargo has a slew of educational and practical tools for kids and parents. The “My Spending Report with Budget Watch” feature helps kids build a budget and track spending on their own, while a robust set of parental controls lets you monitor and restrict spending.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: $25 minimum opening deposit; no ongoing balance requirement.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: None.
Rewards and Incentives: 24/7 fraud monitoring and fee-free person-to-person (P2P) transfers through the Wells Fargo app or online banking site.
Overdraft Options: You can opt into overdraft protection that covers shortfalls on transactions that would normally result in a negative balance. You must link a Wells Fargo savings account, and there’s a $12.50 fee per transfer. If you prefer not to transfer funds out of a linked savings account, you can opt into standard overdraft protection, which covers shortfalls at a slightly higher fee.
Possible Fees: $2.50 per non-Wells-Fargo ATM withdrawal, $15 NSF transaction fee, 3% foreign transaction fee. The monthly service fee is $5 for account holders age 25 and older.

4. Chase High School Checking

Automatically Converts to Chase Total Checking at Age 19; No Joint Owner Needed

Chase High School Checking is an account designed specifically for kids ages 13 to 17. Minor account holders must open the account with an adult as a co-owner and link their accounts to that person’s checking account to allow direct control over the account’s funding.

When the minor account holder turns 19, the account turns into a standard Chase Total Checking account and the adult account holder is removed. There is no yield on any balances but no monthly maintenance fee either.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: $25 to open and maintain.
Account Opening Bonus: None, though targeted offers may occur from time to time.
Yield: None.
Rewards and Incentives: Fee-free access to more than 16,000 Chase and affiliated ATMs.
Overdraft Options: If you opt into Chase’s overdraft program, transactions for which you have insufficient funds are allowed to go through. You’re charged $34 per overdraft item, with a limit of three per day.
Possible Fees: See terms for a complete list of fees.

5. Chase First Banking

Stringent Parental Controls and Account Management Tools

Chase First Banking is a joint checking account designed to teach kids and younger teens the fundamentals of sound money management. Much like the training wheels on your youngster’s first bike, Chase First Banking guides minor account holders in the right direction without ever removing the controls that prevent serious mishaps. Those controls are built into a debit card with customizable parental alerts to clue adult custodians in on how and where their kids are spending and flexible caps on spending that ensure kids don’t overspend in one place.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: $25 to open and maintain.
Account Opening Bonus: None, though targeted offers may occur from time to time.
Yield: None.
Rewards and Incentives: Fee-free access to more than 16,000 Chase and affiliated ATMs, plus a robust suite of educational tools for first-time account holders.
Overdraft Options: Chase’s overdraft program charges $34 per overdraft item (limit three per day) when you opt in.
Possible Fees: $34 returned item fee.

Best Savings Accounts for Kids Under Age 18

All of the following accounts are subject to a strict withdrawal limit of no more than six per statement cycle, under U.S. law. Unless otherwise noted, all are joint accounts rather than custodial. Legally, the account’s minor owner can deposit, withdraw, and move funds before their 18th birthday.

6. Alliant Credit Union Kids Savings Account

0.55% Yield on All Balances Above $100; For Kids Under Age 13

With a $5 minimum opening deposit and a yield of 0.55% APY on all balances, the Alliant Credit Union Kids Savings Account is ideal for long-term savings goals.

This account is open to kids under age 13, giving them even more time to accrue compound interest. Kids 13 or older aren’t eligible to apply, but account holders can keep the account open as long as they wish. All account activity is subject to parental review and approval, ensuring minor account holders can’t raid their balances before they ripen.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: $5 to open and maintain, though Alliant covers the deposit for young account holders.
Account Opening Bonus: $5 to cover the initial deposit requirement.
Yield: 0.55% APY on all balances above $100.
Rewards and Incentives: No monthly fees for members who opt into e-statements.
Overdraft Options: None.
Possible Fees: Excess transaction fees charged at Alliant’s discretion.

7. Capital One 360 Kids Savings Account

0.30% Yield on All Balances; No Age Limit to Open

The Capital One 360 Kids Savings Account is another high-yield online savings account designed for younger kids. With no opening deposit or ongoing balance requirements and an automatic savings plan option, it’s an ideal set-it-and-forget-it account for kids working toward future savings goals. There’s no age threshold to open an account, and parents have final approval over funds transfers. Seamless mobile check deposit is a nice perk.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There’s no minimum balance requirement or deposit requirement here.
Account Opening Bonus: None, though targeted offers may apply.
Yield: 0.30% APY on all balances.
Rewards and Incentives: You can set up savings goals or make recurring transfers based on an automated savings plan.
Overdraft Options: None.
Possible Fees: $5 paper statement fee; excess transaction fees charged at Capital One’s discretion.

8. PNC Bank ‘S’ is for Savings® Account

Robust Educational Suite

The PNC Bank ‘S’ is for Savings® Account is fee-free for account holders under age 18. Minor account owners can keep this account as long as they like after they reach legal age, subject to a $5 monthly maintenance fee that’s waived in any statement cycle during which the account holder is under age 18 or the account:

Has a minimum daily balance of $300 or more
Receives at least one $25 transfer per month

This account is definitely geared toward younger kids. It offers a “learning center” populated by Sesame Street characters and an automated savings program for parents looking to help their kids save.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: $25 minimum to open and maintain.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: Varies by balance.
Rewards and Incentives: The educational tools are second to none, and the automated savings feature is a nice touch.
Overdraft Options: None.
Possible Fees: $7.50 card replacement fee.

Prepaid Cards: An Alternative to Bank Accounts for Kids Under Age 18

If you’d prefer not to open a joint or custodial account for your minor child. Many parents use Visa-, American Express-, or Mastercard-branded prepaid debit cards for teens as replacements for cash allowances or bank accounts.

Greenlight

The standout in this category is Greenlight, a kid-friendly debit card that makes it super easy for parents to manage youngsters’ allowance funds and walking-around money. Key features include:

An in-app chore list that ties financial incentives (reloads) to household jobs
Automated weekly or monthly allowance transfers — no manual deposits required
Real-time notifications whenever the card is used
Customizable spending rules for parents
Customizable earning, spending, and saving goals for kids

It all adds up to set-it-and-forget-it financial empowerment for young people ready and eager for a financial head start.

Other Great Debit Card Options for Kids

If you’re looking for a reloadable prepaid debit card that caters to adults as well, we’re partial to cards issued by Famzoo and GoHenry. Both can be used nearly anywhere major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Here’s what you should keep in mind if you choose to get your child a prepaid card.

How Prepaid Cards Work

Debit cards designed specifically for teens may be easier to monitor and control than joint bank accounts. Many have parental controls that prohibit minor users from initiating bank account transfers or changing key credentials, such as the card’s PIN. That said, all general-purpose prepaid cards have PINs, which are easy enough to keep secret from your child if you’re concerned about them having full control over an account.

Obtaining Your Prepaid Card

You can apply for most prepaid cards online. The process is similar to opening an online bank account; you’ll need to provide some basic personal information, such as your name and address, and specify a funding account or method if you plan to fund online. Since prepaid cards aren’t credit products, you won’t need to consent to a credit pull.

The application process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, enough time to give your child a mini-lesson about opening financial accounts. Involving them in the process of researching and selecting a prepaid card shows them how to analyze account fees and terms.

The one big drawback to applying for a prepaid card online is the multi-day delay before you receive your card. You’ll receive a temporary card number that you can activate and use right away, but that isn’t ideal for in-person transactions requiring manual entry. If you’d prefer to have a physical card right away, look for retailers such as Walmart that sell prepaid cards on-site.

Activating Your Card

Before you can use your prepaid card, you’ll need to activate it online or by phone. It’s a quick process that nevertheless presents a great learning opportunity for younger children. However, if you haven’t yet created a PIN and want to keep it secret from your kid, it might be best to sit them out.

Loading Your Card

For your card’s initial load, you can set up a one-time online bank transfer or a recurring direct deposit, or bring cash to an authorized in-person load point, likely at a major retailer. Some prepaid card issuers charge for in-store loads, to the tune of $2 to $5 per deposit.

Moving forward, the best way to refill your kid’s prepaid card balance is a recurring direct deposit. For younger children, this may come from an allowance or payment for chores; for older kids, it may come from a paycheck for summer or afterschool work. Recurring direct deposits are usually free.

Using Your Card

Prepaid cards work just like Visa-, Mastercard-, or American Express-branded credit or debit cards. As long as the retailer belongs to the card issuer’s network and the card has a positive balance, the transaction should work seamlessly.

Things to Remember About Prepaid Cards

Prepaid debit cards are neither credit cards nor bank accounts. Before applying for a prepaid card on your child’s behalf, understand that:

Prepaid Cards Don’t Build (or Require) Credit. Prepaid cards are not credit cards. For users with impaired or limited credit, this is good and bad. On the bright side, prepaid card issuers don’t pull applicants’ credit and don’t deny applications based on credit risk. On the downside, responsible prepaid card use doesn’t build credit; responsible secured credit card use does.
Prepaid Card Balances Don’t Earn Interest. Unlike savings accounts – and some checking accounts – prepaid cards don’t earn interest. If you want to grow your kid’s balance over time, you’ll need a bona fide bank account.
You Can’t Freely Transfer Prepaid Card Balances to Bank Accounts. Prepaid card accounts are for holding and spending funds. Once funds are deposited on your card, you generally can’t transfer them directly to a linked bank account, even if you’ve used that account to fund your card. Bank accounts are more flexible as they accommodate transfers in both directions.
Prepaid Cards Lack Overdraft Protection. When you attempt a prepaid card transaction without sufficient funds, the transaction invariably fails. Attempt the same transaction using a bank-linked debit card with overdraft protection, and the transaction will likely go through as intended – though you may be on the hook for an overdraft fee and interest charges.

Final Word

Where you bank is your choice and yours alone. Most banks and credit unions, from big institutions like Bank of America to smaller outfits like Alliant Credit Union, allow parents to open joint or custodial accounts for their minor children. So, if you have a longstanding relationship with a local bank or credit union, you may want to look into whether they offer kid-friendly accounts.