SPEND CHECKING
Start their financial journey on the right foot
It’s never too early for real-world money experience. Give your child the gift of a financial know-how.
Spend Checking
SPEND CHECKING
Start their financial journey on the right foot
It’s never too early for real-world money experience. Give your child the gift of a financial know-how.
Checking
MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH
Get a $25 bonus when you open their first checking account.1
Spend Checking is a free account for kids up to age 18 with a parent or guardian co-account holder. Pick a custom-design debit card, get access to Online & Mobile Banking, and learn about your first spending account with budgeting tools, no overdrafts, and lower limits for ATM withdrawals.
Get a $25 Bonus when you:
- Open a Spend Checking and Savings account
- Enroll in Online Banking, e-Statements, and Fern.
Teach your kids how to earn with Fern!
Fern helps parents and kids build smart money habits together. With interactive tools and guidance, it’s the perfect way to turn everyday moments into lifelong lessons.
Get started today – this offer ends October 31, 2025!
MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH
Get a $25 bonus when you open their first checking account.1
Spend Checking is a free account for kids up to age 18 with a parent or guardian co-account holder. Pick a custom-design debit card, get access to Online & Mobile Banking, and learn about your first spending account with budgeting tools, no overdrafts, and lower limits for ATM withdrawals.
Get a $25 Bonus when you:
- Open a Spend Checking and Savings account
- Enroll in Online Banking, e-Statements, and Fern.
Teach your kids how to earn with Fern!
Fern helps parents and kids build smart money habits together. With interactive tools and guidance, it’s the perfect way to turn everyday moments into lifelong lessons.
Get started today – this offer ends October 31, 2025!
Three great reasons to open an account
Financial Education
Teach your kid about money management and financial responsibility from an early age.
Zero Monthly Fees
No monthly fees means your child keeps more money in their account for savings or fun.
Free Debit Card
We'll give them a free standard or custom-design debit card with their checking account.
Additional Details
The Spend Checking Account opens the door to smart money management for kids and youth up to age 18. With our robust parental controls, children, teens, and their parents or guardians can actively manage this account together.
- No Fees, No Minimums: Enjoy the freedom of no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft concerns.
- Smarter ATM Usage: Lower cash withdrawal limits for responsible spending and peace of mind.
- Access Anywhere: Use Online & Mobile Banking for easy access, complete with handy budgeting tools and e-Statements.
- Earn as You Learn: Benefit from debit rewards while learning to spend wisely.
- Grows With Your Child: The account automatically changes to an adult Income Checking account when your child turns 18.
- Customizable Debit Card: Get a free debit card—standard or with a design of your choice.
- Your kid is in charge: They can withdraw and deposit funds on their own.
Spend Checking gives your child a practical, hands-on approach to money management. This account simplifies financial learning in a fun and engaging way!
Additional Details
The Spend Checking Account opens the door to smart money management for kids and youth up to age 18. With our robust parental controls, children, teens, and their parents or guardians can actively manage this account together.
- No Fees, No Minimums: Enjoy the freedom of no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft concerns.
- Smarter ATM Usage: Lower cash withdrawal limits for responsible spending and peace of mind.
- Access Anywhere: Use Online & Mobile Banking for easy access, complete with handy budgeting tools and e-Statements.
- Earn as You Learn: Benefit from debit rewards while learning to spend wisely.
- Grows With Your Child: The account automatically changes to an adult Income Checking account when your child turns 18.
- Customizable Debit Card: Get a free debit card—standard or with a design of your choice.
- Your kid is in charge: They can withdraw and deposit funds on their own.
Spend Checking gives your child a practical, hands-on approach to money management. This account simplifies financial learning in a fun and engaging way!
SPEND CHECKING ACCOUNT
How to open a kid's checking account.
- Apply Online: Click the link below or visit a branch for assistance. The process is quick and straightforward.
- Easy to Start: A $1 minimum opening deposit and no complicated steps make this account accessible to all.
- What You Need: Have social security numbers for all applicants and identification for the parent or guardian prepared.
SPEND CHECKING ACCOUNT
How to open a kid's checking account.
- Apply Online: Click the link below or visit a branch for assistance. The process is quick and straightforward.
- Add Funds: Deposit at least $1 to open the account.
- Take Control: You can manage your child’s account through our secure online portal or highly-rated mobile app.
YOUTH
Teach your kids how to earn with Fern.
Use Fern with your kids to incentivize tasks and chores, reward good grades, and more—all while teaching them about spending, savings, and earning.
Fern links to your child’s account so they can:
- Earn cash for doing chores
- Borrow money from mom and dad
- Learn about budgeting
- Receive ongoing allowance
Register for Fern in Online Banking and the Columbia CU app.
YOUTH
Teach your kids how to earn with Fern.
Use Fern with your kids to incentivize tasks and chores, reward good grades, and more—all while teaching them about spending, savings, and earning.
Fern links to your child’s account so they can:
- Earn cash for doing chores
- Borrow money from mom and dad
- Learn about budgeting
- Receive ongoing allowance
Register for Fern in Online Banking and the Columbia CU app.
MOBILE WALLET
Pay without making contact.
Experience the convenience and security of our Mobile Wallet service. Simply add your Columbia Credit Union debit or credit card to your device’s Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay app.
Make purchases in stores and within apps without swiping your cards or entering payment and contact information. Rest assured that merchants will never see your personal details or contact info.
- Secure transactions: Add your Columbia Credit Union card to your mobile wallet for secure payments.
- Contact-free shopping: Make purchases in stores and within apps without swiping your card or entering payment information.
- Protect your personal information: Merchants will never see your name, card numbers, or security codes.
- Easy setup: To start using Mobile Wallet, just add your Columbia CU debit or credit card to the Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay app on your device.
- Discover more digital services: Explore more ways Columbia Credit Union can simplify your life with our digital services.
MOBILE WALLET
Pay without making contact.
Experience the convenience and security of our Mobile Wallet service. Simply add your Columbia Credit Union debit or credit card to your device’s Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay app.
Make purchases in stores and within apps without swiping your cards or entering payment and contact information. Rest assured that merchants will never see your personal details or contact info.
- Secure transactions: Add your Columbia Credit Union card to your mobile wallet for secure payments.
- Contact-free shopping: Make purchases in stores and within apps without swiping your card or entering payment information.
- Protect your personal information: Merchants will never see your name, card numbers, or security codes.
- Easy setup: To start using Mobile Wallet, just add your Columbia CU debit or credit card to the Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay app on your device.
- Discover more digital services: Explore more ways Columbia Credit Union can simplify your life with our digital services.
Debit Card Features
Use the debit card for direct access to cast at ATMs or banks within our network.
EMV chip technology actively safeguards against fraud and theft with advanced encryption.
Personalize your card.
Pick the design you like best or upload your own custom image for free to make your debit card as one-of-a-kind as you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary holder must be under 18 to open a Spend Checking Account. However, a parent or guardian must be a co-holder of the account.
No monthly maintenance fees make it a cost-effective option for young users. The account focuses on providing financial education and managing transactions instead of earning interest.
Both accounts offer no monthly fees, minimum balance, and Mobile and Online Banking access. However, they differ in the following ways:
Interest and Requirements: Income Checking earns interest and requires specific card purchases and a direct deposit. Kid’s Checking does not earn interest and does not have these requirements.
ATM Fee Rebates: Income Checking offers monthly ATM fee rebates (conditions apply). Kid’s Checking does not have this feature. However, it does offer unlimited ATM withdrawals with lower limits.
Purpose and Focus: Kid’s Checking teaches young users about money management. Income Checking is geared towards adults, offering direct deposit and ATM rebates for regular income earners and more frequent transactions.
No. They will need an over-18 parent or legal guardian to open an account on their behalf. Once they turn 18, they can take full advantage of all the benefits of being a Columbia Credit Union member.
Visit our dedicated rate page to view our most up-to-date interest rates and APY details across all account types. However, our Spend Checking Account does not earn interest. We designed it as a practical tool for teaching kids about money management.
For all applicants, we require a social security number. For the parent or guardian, we also require a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
★★★★★
"Been with them since I was 17, I'm 45 now. Great customer service."
- Melissa S.
REFER A FRIEND BONUS
Refer a Friend for $121
We’re celebrating our 121,000+ members with a $121 referral boost payout through December, 2025! That means you can BOTH earn $121 when you refer your friends and family to join. The more you refer, the more you can earn!
REFER A FRIEND BONUS
Refer a Friend for $121
We’re celebrating our 121,000+ members with a $121 referral boost payout through December, 2025! That means you can BOTH earn $121 when you refer your friends and family to join. The more you refer, the more you can earn!
Other great account options
Youth Savings Accounts
Teach your kids the value of savings with our Achiever’s Club Savings account. With competitive rates and no monthly fees, it’s the perfect account to start your child on the path to financial independence.
Money Market Accounts
Unlock greater earnings compared to traditional checking or savings accounts, all while keeping your funds readily available. And with our tiered rates, your earnings will grow as your balance increases!
High-Yield Checking
Let your money grow effortlessly with our Income Checking account. With attractive returns, no fees, and ATM rebates, this account is tailored to maximize your money’s potential.
Need a savings account?
¹Limited Time Offer. The promotional period runs from October 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025. To qualify for the Spend Checking account offer, you must open a new account between October 1 and October 31, 2025, with a minimum deposit of $1.00 for your child up to age 18. Account owner must be a minor with a parent or guardian as a joint owner on the account. This offer is available only to new Spend Checking accounts; the applicant must not have held a Columbia CU checking account within the past 12 months. To earn the $25 bonus, the following requirements must be completed within 60 days of account opening: (a) open a new Spend Checking account and savings account, and (b) enroll in Online Banking, e-Statements, and Fern. All qualifications must be met before November 30, 2025, and the account must be in good standing with a balance greater than zero at the time the bonus is paid. The $25 bonus will be automatically deposited into the youth’s primary savings account by December 15, 2025 after all qualifications have been met. Only one cash bonus will be awarded per Social Security Number. Offer is subject to change without notice. Bonus may not be paid if promotion is retrieved from a deals website.