Can I open a checking account if I’m under 18 and be the owner of the account? I want to open a checking account before I leave for college. Thank you.
I opened my checking account at 17. My parents were with me when I opened it though and they may have had to sign something. But I’m pretty sure my bank let me customize it so that it’s under my name, but my dad can view it. Check with your bank.
I had the same experience as above. My bank is PNC. Make sure that the bank you choose will be convenient for you if you are going away from home for college.
All the banks I looked into when I was 17 required that my checking account be attached to my father’s – I ended up just waiting until I was 18 to open my own account.
Thanks for the help. I was able to open a checking account today.
I’m opening one once my university tells us what our final cost of attendance is.
My parents’ account is linked to mine, which is convenient since my mom can transfer funds directly to my account as my spending allowance, but if you’re in a situation where you don’t want your parents to have access to your funds, then it would be better to wait until age 18.
I’ve had a checking account since I was 14 or 15 (it’s been a while). I got mine through a local credit union that had a high school checking program, so I’m sure you can find a bank/CU that’ll let you open one at 17!