4 Best Teen Checking Accounts of 2025
The best teen checking accounts come from Alliant Credit Union, Capital One, Connexus Credit Union and Axos Bank.
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More than 100 financial institutions surveyed by our team of experts.
More than 50 data points considered for each bank, credit union and banking technology firm (or neobank).
A teen checking account can help set the foundation for better saving and spending habits and make them more familiar with banking.
» Need help making a decision? Here’s how to choose a teen checking account
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.
Best Teen Checking Accounts
APY
0.10%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.8/5
APY
0.25%
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
5.0/5
APY
2.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.2/5
APY
0.10%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
Overdraft star rating
4.8/5
» Want more options for high school graduates? See our list of the best checking accounts for college students
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. (See NerdWallet’s best checking accounts.)
Last updated on June 9, 2025
Methodology
We took a close look at over 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 and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, BMO Alto, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings™, BrioDirect, Capital One, Carver Federal Savings Bank, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Bank, City First Bank, Climate First Bank, Commerce Bank, Community First Credit Union of Florida, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flagstar Bank, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Global Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenwood, Hope Credit Union, Huntington Bank, Industrial Bank, Ivy Bank, Jenius Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Laurel Road Bank, LendingClub Bank, Liberty Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, One, OneUnited Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet's Best Teen Checking Accounts of 2025
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.
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.