6 Best Teen Checking Accounts 2026


- +1
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
A teen checking account can help set the foundation for better saving and spending habits and make them more familiar with banking. Keep in mind that children under 18 typically need an adult to be a joint owner on the account. If you’re a joint owner, you’ll be able to access the account and monitor its transactions. The following options are the top checking accounts for teens.
» Need help making a decision? Here’s how to choose a teen checking account
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | APY | Bonus | Monthly fee | Overdraft star rating | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.7/5 | 0.10% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | $0 | 4.8/5 | ||
4.9/5 | 0.25% | N/A | $0 | 5.0/5 | ||
4.9/5 | 2.00% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | $0 | 4.2/5 | ||
4.7/5 | 0.10% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | $0 | 4.8/5 | ||
5.0/5 | N/A | N/A | $0 | 4.0/5 | ||
5.0/5 | N/A | N/A | $0 | 4.0/5 |
Our pick for
Strong ATM access
- NerdWallet rating4.7/5
APY
0.10%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.8/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 6-17 years old.
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: 0.10% APY, earned on all balances.
Overdraft policy: Capital One doesn’t charge any overdraft fees on its consumer accounts. Transactions that overdraw the account can be declined.
ATM access: The bank has over 70,000 free ATMs as part of the Capital One, MoneyPass and Allpoint ATM networks.
Teen-related features: The Money account offers a debit card for teens and a mobile app with the ability to deposit checks. There are no minimum deposits, and teens and parents can sign up for text alerts and emails. Total debit card purchases and cash withdrawals are limited to $500 per day. Parents can also call Capital One to lower this limit if they want.
The online-only account helps parents and their teenagers track spending, deposit funds electronically and lock and unlock the teen’s debit card as needed.
How to open an account: Each account must have an adult co-owner. Once a teen turns 18, they can transfer the balance into other Capital One 360 accounts.
- NerdWallet rating4.9/5
APY
0.25%
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
5.0/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 13-17 years old.
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: 0.25% APY earned by opting into e-statements and making at least one direct deposit into the account per month.
Overdraft policy: Alliant doesn’t charge nonsufficient funds fees. The co-owner on the teen’s account can opt in to overdraft protection, where Alliant will pull funds from another linked Alliant account to cover the cost of the overdraft.
ATM access: Alliant has over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Teen Checking customers also receive up to $20 a month in reimbursements for out-of-network ATM fees.
Teen-related features: There is no minimum deposit for Alliant’s teen checking account. This account also has a debit card for teens and mobile banking, including check deposit. Teens are limited to $500 in ATM withdrawals per day, $500 in debit card PIN-based purchases per day and $5,000 in signature-based debit card purchases per day. The teen’s parent or guardian can also set up transaction alerts to monitor spending.
How to open an account: The account must be held jointly with a parent or guardian who is an Alliant member. Membership is easy; new members can support Alliant’s charity organization, and Alliant will make a one-time donation of $5 to the charity on your behalf, which makes you eligible to apply if you don’t otherwise meet the broad requirements. Once one person gains membership, immediate family members are eligible to join.
Our pick for
A strong interest rate on lower balances
- NerdWallet rating4.9/5
APY
2.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.2/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 10-17 years old.
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: 2.00% APY on balances of $1,000 and under, 0.25% APY on balances over $1,000. No requirements for earning interest.
Overdraft policy: Connexus charges $4 per overdraft occurrence with a cap of two of these fees per day. To avoid an overdraft fee altogether, customers can link a savings account to cover any transactions that would potentially lead to an overdraft, they can apply for an overdraft line of credit or they can potentially qualify for an overdraft Privilege Pay service.
ATM access: Customers have nationwide access to tens of thousands of fee-free ATMs in both the MoneyPass and Co-Op networks. There aren’t any fee reimbursements for out-of-network ATMs.
Teen-related features: This teen checking account comes with a debit card and a solid APY offering. Connexus doesn’t place additional transaction limitations on the Teen Checking Account.
How to open an account:. Minors need to apply with a parent or guardian. Anyone can become a member of Connexus Credit Union by either making a $5 donation to its affiliated nonprofit or meeting another eligibility requirement. When teens turn 18, they will transition to a Simply Free Checking Account.
Our pick for
Strong ATM access and fee reimbursements
- NerdWallet rating4.7/5
APY
0.10%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.8/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 13-17 years old (18 years old in Alabama).
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: 0.10% APY with no requirements to earn.
Overdraft policy: Axos Bank doesn’t charge overdraft fees.
ATM access: Axos Bank belongs to a network of more than 95,000 fee-free ATMs, and its teen account comes with up to $12 per month in domestic ATM fee reimbursements.
Teen-related features: The account has a $100 daily cash withdrawal limit and a $500 limit for debit transactions.
How to open an account: Parents and their teen can apply for an account through the Axos Bank website.
Our pick for
Chase customers who want to set up an allowance system as their kids age
- NerdWallet rating5.0/5
APY
N/A
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.0/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 6-17 years old. (Designed for ages 6-12.)
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: None.
Overdraft policy: Chase doesn’t charge overdraft fees on the account and declines transactions that would result in an overdraft.
ATM access: Chase has more than 14,000 free in-network ATMs.
Teen-related features: There is a $400 debit card purchase limit and a $100 ATM withdrawal limit with the account. The account also comes with a feature where parents can set up chores for their teen in the Chase app and assign a reward amount for when the chore is completed. The account can only be funded via transfers from the parent/guardian’s Chase checking account.
How to open the account: Chase First Banking accounts can be opened online, and the person opening the account for their child must already have a Chase account.
Our pick for
Teens who need to deposit paychecks and send money to family or friends via Zelle
- NerdWallet rating5.0/5
APY
N/A
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.0/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItAge range: 13-17 years old.
Monthly fee: None.
Interest and how to earn it: None.
Overdraft policy: Chase doesn’t charge overdraft fees on the account and declines transactions that would result in an overdraft.
ATM access: Chase has more than 14,000 free in-network ATMs.
Teen-related features: Unlike the Chase First Banking account, the Chase High School Checking account allows teens to receive direct deposits — like paychecks — and they can also send money through Zelle, an integrated money transfer service that’s available through Chase.
How to open the account: Chase High School Checking accounts must be opened in a branch, and the teen account must be linked with a parent or guardian’s personal Chase checking account.
A more tech-based option: Apps with debit cards
Banks and credit unions aren’t the only places that can help your child learn how to spend and save money. Some nonbank tech firms’ kid-friendly banking apps offer debit cards linked to federally insured accounts, in partnership with banks, and more customized tools than what you’d find at a traditional bank. Some tools include allowance transfers, chore chart trackers, savings goals and parental controls. The minimum age for these apps varies from young kids to teens. See our list of the best banking apps for kids and teens.
Tips for parents
Being a joint bank account owner on a teen account means you’ll have oversight of your child’s spending. It also means sharing responsibility for fees and other consequences, such as overdraft charges, so you’ll want to find a bank or credit union that keeps those to a minimum.
» Not sure if your kid's ready for a bank account? Explore NerdWallet’s best prepaid debit cards
If high yields are more of a priority than having an account marketed specifically toward teenagers, consider adding your child as a joint account holder on another good checking account option.
Nerdy Perspective
Tamika Oliver, NerdWallet’s Chief Compliance Officer, uses the Chase First Banking account for her daughter. She says:
“[My daughter] really enjoys the independence of having her own debit card and being able to check her account on her phone. The account is divided into a Spend account and a Savings account. She can only access the money in her Spend account, which has been great for teaching her how to budget. She's become very mindful of how much she has available and knows she can only spend what's in that account.
The biggest challenge is that she can see the money in her Savings account, so she's always asking me to transfer it over to Spend! But overall, it's been a great learning tool. I also have recurring transfers set up for chores and allowance. For example, if she's earning $10 on Friday, I can automatically send $7 to her Spend account and $3 to Savings. It's been a simple way to help her build good saving habits while still giving her spending flexibility.”
Methodology
To find the best teen checking accounts, we looked at 22 checking accounts, from 21 different institutions, and analyzed them based on their fees and features, minimum balance requirements, parental controls, spending limits, and annual percentage yields.
The best teen checking accounts that made our list don’t charge any fees, give parents enough oversight to prevent overspending and give teens enough freedom to learn. They’re also easy to open online with no or low minimum balance requirements, free to maintain and some offer interest.
Last updated on August 28, 2026
Methodology: How we rate banks and credit unions
Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
30+
Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
Checking account star rating categories
The best checking accounts generally have no monthly fees, free access to a network of more than 10,000 ATMs, no or low minimum opening deposits, low-cost overdraft programs, fast money transfer options, and some additional benefit such as the ability to earn interest or cash back. Checking accounts with a sign-up bonus may get extra marks.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.
NerdWallet's Best Teen Checking Accounts 2026
- Capital One MONEY: Teen Checking Account: Best for Strong ATM access
- Alliant Credit Union Teen Checking
- Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking: Best for A strong interest rate on lower balances
- Axos Bank® First Checking: Best for Strong ATM access and fee reimbursements
- Chase First Banking℠: Best for Chase customers who want to set up an allowance system as their kids age
- Chase High School Checking℠: Best for Teens who need to deposit paychecks and send money to family or friends via Zelle
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bank account for a teenager?
The best bank account for a teen is one that will help them learn to manage their finances and has low to no fees. Mobile and online banking options can make personal finance management more accessible to teens, and caps on ATM withdrawals or spending limits are features to consider seeking out.
Can I open a teen bank account online?
Teen bank accounts can be opened online. Some teen checking accounts, such as the Capital One MONEY account and Axos Bank’s First Checking account, are only available online. Others may require that the child go to a branch to open their account, like Chase’s High School Checking account.
Can a minor have a checking account?
Children and teens can have checking accounts, but generally, an adult must be a co-owner on the child’s account. There are some exceptions, however. Bank of America, for example, allows 16-year-olds to be sole owners of the SafeBalance Banking® account.




