Alliant Teen Checking
Strengths
- The credit-union alternative sponsored comparison sites never mention: member-owned, $0 fees, and up to $20/month in out-of-network ATM reimbursements — the most generous ATM policy in the index alongside 80,000 fee-free ATMs.
- Interest on checking plus a ~3% companion savings account.
- Auto-upgrade to adult checking at 18 with the parent staying on until removed — ideal for the college transition.
Weaknesses
- Membership hoops: the parent must join Alliant first.
- Parental controls are basic — visibility and locks, no category limits.
- The 0.25% checking APY requires eStatements plus a monthly electronic deposit.
$0/mo
$0 — no monthly fee, no minimums, free debit card replacement, one free checkbook. Watch: overdraft courtesy-pay fees can apply if protection isn't set up.
Joint ownership (parent must be an Alliant member): full visibility, alerts, card lock, only parents can initiate outbound transfers. No granular category or per-merchant limits.
0.25% APY on checking — modest, but among the best for teen checking — earned with eStatements plus one monthly electronic deposit. Comes with a companion high-rate savings account (~3% APY range). Mobile check deposit.
Visa zero liability, card lock, award-winning app, free overdraft protection available.
No — NCUA insured: as a federally insured credit union, deposits are protected up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration, the credit-union equivalent of FDIC. Same $250k federal protection, different insurer.
None.
Alliant Money Mentor resources and budgeting tools; no youth-specific program.
24/7 phone banking; online-only credit union (no branches).
United States only (membership required; open to anyone via a partner-organization route).