APY Effective 11/6/2024*
0.05
%
APY
Checking
0.40
%
APY
Early Saver
$500.01+
6.17
%
APY
Early Saver
On the first $500
See Account Disclosure for details
Teaching Dollars and Sense
Start your child on the right financial path by teaching smart money management. Our free checking account is an ideal place to begin - it's a joint bank account for both you and your teen.
Free Banking Features
- Available to all BECU members
- No minimum balance requirement
- No monthly service fees
- Debit card with fraud monitoring protection
- Free nationwide access to 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs
- Text and email account alerts
- Bundled with savings account1
- Free Online Banking and Mobile Banking app2
How to Open an Account
- Join or open an account in-person at any BECU location.
- Select a debit card design.
- Enroll in Online Banking.2
Learn more about how to open an account with our checklist. Note: Existing Early Saver members can open a teen checking account online through the teen's Online Banking.
Beyond Teen Checking
At BECU, we believe in financial health. We also believe in keeping things simple. How do we do that? After your teen turns 18, their Early Saver savings account automatically converts into a standard BECU savings account, while their checking account remains a standard BECU checking account. You can either remain a joint account holder on the savings and checking account (helpful for parental deposits), or your teen can choose to convert the checking and savings accounts into independent accounts. As an "adult" account, they enjoy all the benefits of full-fledged BECU members:
- All the same free features and tools they had before
- Still no monthly fees or minimum balances
- Eligible for Member Advantage, which earns a higher rate of return on first $500 in deposits for both your checking and savings accounts3
FAQs
BECU checking accounts are not age restrictive, so you can help your teen open a checking account at any age. As a reminder, a parent or guardian must be a joint account holder until the teenager turns 18.
- Teen: Bring the following - Social Security card, driver's permit or license
- Parent or guardian with current BECU account: state-issued driver's license or ID card
- Parent or guardian without a BECU account: Social Security number, photo ID, email address and street address
Yes
It is possible to open a joint account online if your teen has an existing Early Saver account and active Online Banking (if they're at least 13), but we've found it's helpful for both teen and parent to apply in person so we can answer any questions either of you might have. Teens can also get a debit card printed on the spot when they open their accounts in person.
Yes. BECU allows members access to both Online Banking2 and the BECU Mobile App2 at the age of 13. (Due to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule [COPPA], these features are unavailable in Early Saver accounts for members under the age of 13.)
Parents have the ability to transfer funds in/out of the accounts, deactivate debit cards and remove features such as the Optional NSF Service for Deposit Accounts. Both the adult and the teen also have individual access logins for Online Banking, and each will have access to set up account alerts. Alerts can be set up to let one or both receive text messages when an account balance is low or has reached zero.
Yes. Teens can add their debit card to a digital wallet app on their iPhone, Android and Samsung devices.
After your teen turns 18, their Early Saver savings account will automatically convert into a standard BECU savings account and will earn the interest rate published at that time. Their checking account will remain a standard BECU checking account. You can either remain a joint on the savings and checking account, or your teen can choose to convert the checking and savings accounts to independent accounts.
Additional Resources
Savings Calculators
Articles
1Must have a parent or legal guardian as the joint on the account. A Member Share savings, Member Advantage savings or Early Saver account is required to establish membership. Limit one Early Saver account per person. Early Saver member may not be older than 18 years old.
2Online Banking and eStatements are not available to anyone under 13 years old, eligibility and benefits subject to change.
3Limit one Member Advantage Checking and Saving account per person. Member Advantage eligibility and benefits are subject to change