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Youth Accounts

Start your child’s financial journey today

Help your child or grandchild build a strong financial foundation with CU SoCal's Youth Accounts. From savings to their first checking account with a debit card, we’re here to help them develop lifelong money management skills while you maintain peace of mind with tools and educational resources designed to guide them.

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Key Advantages

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Debit card with parental controls

Give your child or grandchild financial independence with a debit card featuring 37 customizable alerts and controls. Enjoy surcharge-free access to 30,000+ ATMs on the CO-OP network for added convenience.

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Money Management

Financial education resources

Help your child or grandchild build smart money habits with our extensive library of courses, videos, articles, and free webinars tailored to every stage of their financial journey.

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CU F.L.Y. financial empowerment program

Empower high school teens with essential money management skills through CU F.L.Y. (Credit Union Financial Literacy for Youth). Prepare them for financial success with practical tools and confidence-building knowledge backed by national research.

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Youth share certificates

To earn maximum return on deposits earmarked for longer term saving goals, youth Member can open a Share Certificate with a term of at least 12 months. The minimum deposit to open a Youth Share Certificate and earn dividends is $250.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Youth Accounts are available for Members under the age of 18.

  • The standard $10 opening balance for new Share Savings Accounts will apply.

  • No, all fees on Youth Savings accounts are waived.

  • Yes! Youth Members are eligible to open checking accounts with a debit card. While age 12 or 13 is the typical age for kids to have their first checking account with debit card, we leave it to the parents’ discretion if they want to open a checking account with debit card for a younger child. Please note that Youth Members can open a free Classic Checking Account. Although this account does not have a monthly fee, overdraft fees may apply.

  • Yes! A Youth Member can open a Share Certificate with a term of at least 12 months. The minimum deposit to open a Youth Share Certificate and earn dividends is $250.

  • Yes. There is a $200 daily limit for ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale (signature) transactions, and debit card transactions. Parents can adjust this limit by speaking with the Branch Manager of their local CU SoCal branch.

  • Yes! A youth account is one of the service categories you can select when setting a branch appointment.

  • You will need a current state or government-issued photo ID (State ID, Driver’s License, U.S. Passport, U.S Resident Card). Minors may use the following as identification: State ID, Current Student ID, or Birth Certificate. If address is not current on government-issued ID or is not listed for Parent/Guardian, please provide one of the following: current lease or mortgage agreement, auto/home/renter’s insurance, DMV registration, or utility bill (internet, cable, gas, electric or water). You will need a Social Security number or ITIN documents for the minor/joints of the account.

  • No, a Youth Account must be opened in a CU SoCal branch. A parent or guardian must accompany their minor children to a CU SoCal branch to open a youth Membership. They cannot be opened online.

  • No, CU SoCal Members under the age of 18 do not have access to Zelle. ®

  • Your child can register for Digital Banking, which would allow them to view their account through Online and Mobile Banking. Parents or guardians can link their child’s account to their own by visiting a branch, via online chat through our website or Mobile App, or calling our Member Care Center at 866.287.6225 Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • Our website offers a wealth of free information in the form of online courses, videos, articles and more under our “Financial Resources” section. On the Home page of the website, go to More > Financial Resource to explore. High school students can also learn through our CU Fly program. Click here to learn more about CU Fly.

    1. All youth Memberships opened effective March 1, 2025, qualify for a $25 cash bonus. Offer valid only for new Youth Members. New Youth Members are defined as a person 17 and under who has never been an owner of an account at CU SoCal. Any accounts opened for minors (ages under 17) must be opened in person by a parent or legal guardian at a branch. All new accounts will be verified by ChexSystems® and are subject to approval and Membership eligibility. Cash bonus will be deposited into Member’s account within 60 days from account opening. Cash bonus may be subject to tax reporting. Offer subject to change without notice.

Regular savings rates

Account type Min opening balance Min to earn dividend Dividend rate APY¹
Account type:

Regular Savings2

 Min opening balance:

$10

 Min to earn dividend :

$500

 Dividend rate:

0.10%

 APY¹:

0.10%
Account type:

Sub-Savings/IRA Savings 2,3

 Min opening balance:

$5

 Min to earn dividend :

$500

 Dividend rate:

0.10%

 APY¹:

0.10%
Account type:

Deferred Compensation 4

 Min opening balance:

$10

 Min to earn dividend :

$1

 Dividend rate:

0.45%

 APY¹:

0.45%
Account type:

Holiday Saver

 Min opening balance:

$10

 Min to earn dividend :

$1

 Dividend rate:

0.30%

 APY¹:

0.30%
Account type:

Summer Saver

 Min opening balance:

$50

 Min to earn dividend :

$1

 Dividend rate:

0.30%

 APY¹:

0.30%

1 APY is Annual Percentage Yield. 2 For minors, the minimum to earn dividends is $1.00. 3 IRA savings include Traditional, Roth, & Coverdell Education IRA 4 Restricted by law to school district employees. Rates are accurate as of March 1, 2025 and are subject to change. The above rates are variable, subject to change without notice, and are all anticipated rates and annual percentage yields for the current dividend period.

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