Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.

One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.

Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account

When deciding which checking account is suitable for your teen, keep in mind that the goal is flexibility and teachable moments. You don’t want to punish your child for mistakes. Instead, you want tools and resources that will build healthy financial habits and skills. 

At Genisys, we think our Genius High-Yield Checking is great, even for our young members. There is no minimum balance requirement and if the requirements are met; enroll in eStatements and using the Debit Card 10 times a month for purchases of $5 or more, they will be paid a dividend at the rate of 6.75% APY*.

Fee Structure

Select an account with minimal fees and transparent pricing. You want to educate your child about potential charges, such as overdraft fees, and how to avoid them. Choosing an account with low to no fees ensures that your teen’s money is put to its intended use rather than being eroded by unnecessary charges.Explain the importance of monitoring transactions and balancing their account to avoid Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fees or potential Overdraft Fees.

Setting Spending Limits and Parental Controls

Teaching budgeting skills early on is more than just a good idea; it's a crucial step in preparing your teen for their financial future. Setting spending limits on your teen’s account acts as a safety net to prevent them from overspending and instills first-hand the importance of living within their means. 

As a parent, having control features for your teen’s account provides peace of mind. Look for options to restrict transaction amounts or block certain merchant categories. Most financial institutions offer these features today in some form. These controls empower you to guide your teen toward responsible spending, ensuring their economic security while fostering independence.

The Genisys Mobile and Card Controls Apps allow parents to set up spending limits and other alerts to keep teen accounts in check.

Transparent Monitoring

The ability to monitor your teen’s balances, spending habits, and other banking activities fosters a sense of accountability on both sides. Your teen knows you are keeping a watchful eye, and you can quickly identify areas for improvement and opportunities for discussion. This real-time visibility allows for timely intervention when needed and provides valuable moments for educating the whole family about financial responsibility.

Effortless Transfers

The ability to transfer funds quickly and easily from your account to your teen’s account gives you peace of mind, knowing that their needs are taken care of, even when you aren’t there. Being able to transfer funds between accounts seamlessly ensures that your teen has access to money when they need it most. This flexibility promotes financial independence while still providing support and guidance from parents.

Parental Guidance: Steps to Foster Responsible Money Management

As a parent, nurturing your teen’s financial management skills goes beyond selecting the right checking account. It entails providing guidance and support to help them build lifelong habits. Here are some additional steps parents can take to empower their teens in making informed financial decisions.

Encourage Goal Setting

Assist your teen in setting short-term and long-term financial goals. Whether it’s saving for a specific purchase, setting aside money for college, or contributing to a charitable cause, goal setting instills financial discipline.

Set Up Alerts

Setting up alerts on your teen’s account is an effective way to stay informed of their financial activity. You can receive real-time alerts to notify you of low balances, large transactions, or ATM withdrawals. Enabling these alerts allows you to proactively address any concerns and initiate meaningful conversations about financial decisions.

Designate Savings

Encouraging your teen to save money is a fundamental aspect of financial education. By designating a separate savings account as off-limits and preventing access, you can ensure those funds remain untouched. You can even place the funds in a Share Certificate Account or Money Market Account so their savings can grow long-term. By keeping some savings inaccessible, you’ll help your teen cultivate patience, discipline, and an understanding of delayed gratification.

Lead By Example

Serve as a financial role model by openly discussing your own financial decisions and demonstrating responsible money management. Show your teen how to create and stick to a budget, prioritize saving, and make informed purchasing decisions.

Genisys Has You Covered! 

Everything you’ve read here is available at Genisys. To recap; 

• Genius High-Yield Checking is available with joint ownership for members 12 years of age and older. 
• Genisys Mobile Banking and Card Controls Apps allow you to set up alerts, spending limits, recurring or one-time transfers, and account monitoring anytime.
• Genisys High-Yield Youth Savings accounts are a great way to build strong saving habits that will stay with your child into adulthood.
• Our Financial Empowerment Toolbox has many resources for the whole family on all things finance; Saving, Budgeting, Building Credit, and more!

*Annual Percentage Yield designated as APY. Subject to change at any time. Must enroll in eStatements and use your Genisys Debit Mastercard® at least ten times per month for purchases of $5.00 or more, excluding ATMs, to earn 6.75%APY. Balances over $7,500 will earn .05%APY. Transactions that are pending on your account, and have not posted as of the end of the monthly qualification cycle will not count as a qualifying transaction for that cycle.