Student Checking

We recommend that you and your teen meet with a Patelco team member to open their first checking account to help you understand your options and make the best choice together.
Opening a checking account is an important step for a teen to learn about managing their finances, and this can help empower them to make the right choices.

That depends on you and your teen. Student Checking is available for teens aged 13-17.
Some parents may want their teens to learn to manage their own money at an earlier age, while others prefer to delay until college.
This account is ideal if your teen wants to pay for movies, lunch, or boba while hanging out with friends. It can also be an easy way for you to give them an allowance by transferring the money directly into the account.
Allowing teens to manage their own money creates opportunities to teach good money habits and responsibilities. For example, your teen can learn to budget or save a portion of their allowance for a larger purchase.
The account can also grow with your teen, and will convert into a Free Checking account when they turn 18.

Your teen(s) can open a Student Checking account by themselves. (A parent or guardian will need to provide a signed indemnity agreement because they are underage). Alternately, you can choose to be on the account as a joint owner and have more oversight.

Yes! We don’t charge a monthly fee or require a minimum balance.

You will receive the debit card in the mail within 5 business days after you’ve opened your account. Or, you can pick up a debit card at a branch near you.

You can find one of the 30,000+ fee-free ATMs at patelco.org/locations or on our Mobile App.