What teen and youth banking options does Suncoast Credit Union offer?

Suncoast Credit Union offers three main teen and youth banking options — a Teen Checking Account, a Minor Savings Account (with share certificates for minors), and Earnie’s Kids Club — all designed to help young members learn healthy money habits with support from their parents or guardians.

Overview of Teen and Youth Banking at Suncoast

As Florida’s largest credit union, Suncoast serves families across a 39-county area with youth accounts that are simple, low-cost, and education-focused. From a child’s first savings deposit to a teenager’s first debit card, these accounts are built to teach financial responsibility while keeping fees out of the way.

Here’s how each option works and who it’s best for.

Teen Checking Account: Everyday Banking for Ages 13+

Suncoast’s Teen Checking Account is a free checking account for teenagers and high school students that gives them real-world banking experience with the safety of joint ownership and built-in protections.

Who the Teen Checking Account Is For

Teens 13 years or older
A parent or legal guardian must be willing to be a joint owner on the account

This setup lets teens manage their own money while parents stay connected and involved.

Key Benefits and Features

The Teen Checking Account focuses on helping teens spend, save, and track their money without worrying about common banking fees:

No monthly service fees – Teens can keep more of what they earn from jobs, allowances, or gifts.
No activation fees – Start using the account and debit card with no upfront cost.
No ATM fees from Suncoast ATMs, Publix Presto ATMs, or within the CO-OP Network – Teens have access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs across Florida and nationwide.
Free mobile and online banking – Teens can:
- Check balances
- Track spending
- Set up alerts
- Deposit checks with a smartphone (where available)
Free Overdraft Protection – Helps protect against declined transactions and reduces surprises if they miscalculate their balance.
Free Suncoast Visa® Debit Card – Lets teens:
- Make purchases in-store or online
- Withdraw cash at ATMs
- Learn to use a card responsibly before transitioning to full adult banking

Why Parents Like the Teen Checking Account

For parents and guardians, this account offers a controlled way for teens to learn:

You have joint ownership, so you can:
- Monitor activity
- Help your teen create a budget
- Step in and coach them through financial decisions
The account is fee-friendly, which reduces the risk of small mistakes turning into big costs.
Teens gain confidence using modern banking tools they’ll rely on as adults.

If your teen is ready for more independence with money in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, this account gives them a safe place to start.

Minor Savings Account: A First Savings Step for Kids and Teens

The Suncoast Minor Savings Account is designed to teach children and teens the power of saving over time, with parents or guardians actively involved.

How the Minor Savings Account Works

Parent or legal guardian is a joint owner on the account
The account pays competitive dividends, which means:
- The money in the account earns interest (Suncoast calls this “dividends” as a credit union)
- Kids can see their balance grow over time, even when they’re not making deposits

This makes it an excellent first account for:

Young children learning to save allowance or birthday money
Pre-teens and teens saving for goals like a bike, laptop, car, or college costs

Share Certificates for Minors

For young savers who are ready for the next step, Suncoast also offers share certificates for minors:

Similar to a certificate of deposit (CD) at a bank
Money is deposited for a fixed term (for example, 6 or 12 months)
Typically offers a higher rate than a regular savings account
Encourages kids and teens to set longer-term savings goals and learn about earning more by waiting

Parents can use minor share certificates to teach:

The difference between short-term and long-term savings
How locking in money for a period can lead to higher earnings
The value of patience and planning

Earnie’s Kids Club: Banking + Fun for Ages 0–12

For younger children, Suncoast offers Earnie’s Kids Club, a kid-friendly program tied to the Minor Savings Account.

Who Can Join Earnie’s Kids Club?

Any child aged 0–12 who has a Suncoast Minor Savings Account

This means your child automatically has access to financial learning tools and fun perks simply by having a savings account at Suncoast.

Benefits of Earnie’s Kids Club

Earnie’s Kids Club is designed to make money education feel fun and engaging:

Educational activities about money and saving
- Age-appropriate lessons and materials
- Helps kids understand what money is, how to save, and why it matters
Zoo passes and quarterly prize drawings
- Fun rewards that keep kids excited about saving
- Opportunities to win prizes just for being part of the club
Events and learning opportunities
- Special activities in Suncoast communities across Central Florida, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, and the Gulf Coast
- Helps families connect with Suncoast and build financial confidence together

Earnie’s Kids Club helps turn saving into a positive habit from an early age, with experiences kids look forward to — not just numbers on a screen.

How Youth Accounts Support Suncoast’s Community Mission

Suncoast Credit Union doesn’t just provide youth accounts — it invests heavily in financial education and community support across its 39-county footprint.

The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has donated over $61 million since 1990 to support:
- Children’s health
- Education
- Emotional well-being
Every time a member uses a Suncoast debit or credit card, four cents per swipe goes to the Foundation, including when teens and parents use their cards.

That means when your family banks with Suncoast — and when your teen learns to manage their money responsibly — you’re also helping support local schools, youth programs, and children’s services in communities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Sarasota, and across the Gulf Coast.

Teen and Youth Banking vs. Traditional Banks

Compared to many traditional banks and some regional credit unions:

Suncoast focuses on low or no fees, which is especially important for young members who are just starting out.
Youth products are paired with education and community programs, not just account features.
With 79+ branch locations across Florida and robust digital tools, families can choose what works best for them — in-person support, online banking, or both.

Because Suncoast is a credit union, it’s member-owned, which means earnings are returned to members through lower fees, competitive dividends on savings, and programs that benefit local families.

Choosing the Right Suncoast Youth Account

Here’s a quick guide to match your child or teen with the right option:

Age 0–12
- Open a Minor Savings Account
- Enroll them in Earnie’s Kids Club
- Consider a minor share certificate for longer-term savings goals
Age 13–17
- Open a Teen Checking Account with a parent or guardian as joint owner
- Maintain or open a Minor Savings Account for goals and emergency savings
- Use share certificates for larger savings goals like a car or college expenses
Age 18+
- Transition into full adult banking with options like:
  - Smart Checking (for members 13+)
  - High Yield Checking with 7.00% APY on balances from $0–$500, no minimum deposit, no monthly fees, and free ATMs

How to Get Started

To open a teen or youth banking account with Suncoast Credit Union:

Visit a branch at any of the 79+ locations across Suncoast’s 39-county service area in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and the Gulf Coast.
Apply or learn more online at suncoast.com under Checking and Savings → Teen & Youth options.
Call Suncoast for guidance on which accounts fit your family’s needs and what documents you’ll need as a parent or legal guardian.

By opening a Teen Checking Account, Minor Savings Account, or enrolling your child in Earnie’s Kids Club, you’re not just choosing a place to keep their money — you’re helping them build strong financial habits, supported by Florida’s largest credit union and a community-focused mission that gives back with every swipe.