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Why Everyday Checking Can Be a Smart Account for Teens

Why Everyday Checking Can Be a Smart Account for Teens

Editorial Note: Articles published are intended to provide general information and educational content related to personal finance, banking, and credit union services. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, it should not be considered as financial advice and may be revised as needed.

Being a teenager can be challenging enough without having to deal with a complicated checking account. That's why Listerhill Credit Union doesn't make teens open a special checking account with different rules.

Teens can enjoy all the benefits and features of a regular checking account. You can learn key skills to help you succeed while you're studying and when you start working. Read on to learn how Listerhill’s Everyday Checking can set you up for a great future.

Related: Tips For Managing Joint Checking Accounts

Build Money Management Skills With a Checking Account for Teens

It's never too early to start learning money management skills so you can enjoy the benefits of being financially secure in the future. The first lesson teens should learn is that you can't spend more than you have. Learning this essential lesson early may help you avoid a lifetime of debt.

With a checking account, you can deposit your money and decide when and how you spend it. You can also choose to allocate a certain amount of your funds to different purposes.

For example, some people like the Spend, Save, Share rule:

  • Allow yourself to spend a certain percentage of the money you receive.
  • Save a portion of any money you get—10% is a common amount.
  • Share or donate a percentage or fixed amount to your favorite charities or people in need. (Which could include a friend who forgot their wallet!)

Learn About Budgeting and Financial Tools

When you're a teen, you're most likely living at home with your parents and you may or may not have a part-time job. This is a great time to start thinking about how to manage a budget when you eventually work full-time and pay rent.

Budgeting is crucial when you're a college student and live away from home with a limited income. Here's how a checking account for teens can help you:

  • Deposit money you get from your parents or a part-time job or set up a direct deposit to receive your paycheck directly from an employer.
  • Add up all your expenses. If you live at home, this could be gas to use your parents' car or to pay your mobile phone bill.
  • Make sure you have enough money to pay your expenses before you think about spending any money.
  • See how much you have left over then decide how you want to spend it or if you want to save it for something specific in the future.

To help you budget, you can use Online and Mobile Banking to easily check your balance and transfer funds. You can also download a range of fun financial apps.

Learn More About Saving And Budgeting For Teens

Use Direct Deposit, Bill Pay, and Transfer Features

A checking account for teens makes it easy to manage money coming into your account and offers a range of ways to send money out of your account.

  • Set up direct deposits to receive your paycheck from a part-time job.
  • Use the Bill Pay feature to pay regular expenses, like your mobile phone.
  • Transfer money into your other accounts, like savings.
  • Use Zelle to transfer money to friends and family—all you need is a name, phone number, or email address.

Explore Ways to Access and Manage Your Money

Nowadays, there are many ways to access and transfer your money. Therefore it's a good idea to learn them all so you can handle any payment method you come across.

  • Online and Mobile Banking offer simple transfers
  • ATMs let you withdraw cash and some machines let you make deposits
  • Smart ATMs let you complete a wider range of transactions and you can even connect with a live teller during business hours
  • Checks may seem like a thing of the past but they're still a common payment method for many services.

Get Fast Answers Through Live Chat

Most teens love technology but maybe you're not impressed by Chat Bots that can only provide answers from pre-programmed options.

Luckily, the Listerhill Credit Union checking account for teens offers a Live Chat feature where you can get all the help you need without visiting a branch or picking up the phone. Simply answer the security questions and a member service representative can even share your screen and guide you through Online Banking.

Why Choose Your Local Credit Union for a Checking Account for Teens?

Not all checking accounts are created equal and that's why you want to do your research and make sure you're getting the most out of your first steps into the financial world. Here's how you can benefit when you choose Listerhill Credit Union for your checking account for teens:

  • No minimum balance
  • No monthly fee
  • Local branches and ATMs
  • 24/7 Online and Mobile Banking
  • NCUA insured up to $250,000
  • Supports your school and community

Click below to learn more about the benefits and features of our checking account that's ideal for both teens and adults.

Everyday Checking Account


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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What happens when federally insured credit unions merge?

    If a member has accounts in credit union A and credit union B, and credit union A merges into credit union B, accounts of credit union A continue to be insured separately from the share deposits of credit union B for six months after the date of the merger or, in the case of a share certificate, the earliest maturity date after the six-month period. In the case of a share certificate that matures within the six-month grace period that is renewed at the same dollar amount, either with or without accrued dividends having been added to the principal amount, and for the same term as the original share certificate, the separate insurance applies to the renewed share certificate until the first maturity date after the six-month period. A share certificate that matures within the six-month grace period that is renewed on any other basis, or that is not renewed, is separately insured only until the end of the six-month grace period.

  • What happens if a federally insured credit union is liquidated?

    The NCUA would either transfer the insured member's account to another federally insured credit union or give the federally insured member a check equal to their insured account balance. This includes the principal and posted dividends through the date of the credit union's liquidation, up to the insurance limit.

  • If a credit union is liquidated, what is the timeframe for payout of the funds that are insured if the credit union cannot be acquired by another credit union?

    Federal law requires the NCUA to make payments of insured accounts "as soon as possible" upon the failure of a federally insured credit union. While every credit union failure is unique, there are standard policies and procedures that the NCUA follows in making share insurance payments. Historically, insured funds are available to members within just a few days after the closure of an insured credit union.

  • What happens to members with uninsured shares?

    Members who have uninsured shares may recover a portion of their uninsured shares, but there is no guarantee that they will recover any more than the insured amount. The amount of uninsured shares they may receive, if any, is based on the recovery of the failed credit union's assets. Depending on the quality and value of these assets, it may take several years to conclude recovery on all the assets. As recoveries are made, uninsured account holders may receive periodic payments on their uninsured shares claim.

  • What happens to my direct deposits if a federally insured credit union is liquidated?

    If a liquidated credit union is acquired by another federally insured credit union, all direct deposits, including Social Security checks or paychecks delivered electronically, will be automatically deposited into your account at the assuming credit union. If the NCUA cannot find an acquirer for the liquidated credit union, the NCUA will advise members to make new arrangements.