Our youth accounts and debit cards are designed to help your child “save and spend smarter.” By opening a youth savings account early, you can give your kids the opportunity to see how money grows over time and to experience banking firsthand. The ability to monitor balances, set savings goals, and see interest earned makes the process tangible. Instead of money being an abstract concept, it becomes something children can interact with, manage, and feel responsible for. This creates an early foundation for healthy habits that can grow as they do.

The Greenlight Debit Card: A Modern Tool for the Digital Age

One of Affinity’s most innovative offerings is our partnership with Greenlight², a debit card and app designed specifically for kids and teens. Through this collaboration, Affinity members can access a free Greenlight subscription when their child’s card is funded through an Affinity account. The Greenlight app gives parents control and visibility while offering kids the independence to make spending decisions. Parents can automate allowances, assign chores, set savings goals, and receive real-time notifications every time their child uses the card.

Greenlight also includes features like “Level Up™,” an in-app financial literacy game that turns money management into an interactive learning experience. Families can include up to five children per account, allowing each child to track their own goals and progress. In a world where children grow up surrounded by digital payments and online purchases, this kind of hands-on, tech-enabled financial education helps bridge the gap between convenience and responsibility.

Youth Savings Accounts: Building the Habit

Complementing the Greenlight experience is our Youth Account, a simple and secure place for kids to begin saving. The account is free of monthly fees and minimum balance requirements when using eStatements ¹, and it offers an impressive dividend rate through Affinity’s SmartStart Savings program—helping kids literally watch their money grow. Parents maintain shared account access, allowing them to view transactions, receive alerts, and monitor progress while granting their children a sense of ownership.

As children grow, Affinity’s youth banking options evolve with them. Once they reach the right age, they can transition to a checking account that comes with a debit card, 1% cash back on purchases ², and even early access to direct deposits when they begin earning paychecks ³. This gradual approach—starting with saving, then learning to spend, and finally earning—helps kids progress naturally toward financial independence within a structure that still offers parental support and oversight.

Why Combining Tools and Strategy Matters

Tools like the Greenlight debit card and Affinity’s Youth Account provide structure, but true learning happens when those tools are paired with consistent guidance. By starting early and combining digital engagement with family conversation, you can help your children grow into confident, responsible savers who understand the true value of money.

Raising responsible savers is all about empowerment. Affinity’s youth accounts and the Greenlight debit card offer parents a framework to nurture good habits while giving kids the independence to learn. Through a balance of structure, technology, and open communication, Affinity is helping families raise a new generation of financially savvy young people ready to make thoughtful, informed choices about their money.

This information is for informational purposes only, is intended to provide general guidance, and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person's circumstances differ and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and legal counsel to discuss your particular needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition.

¹ Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/youth-account

² Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/greenlight

¹To qualify for no monthly fees and avoid the $2 monthly paper statement fee, upon opening your Cash Back Debit Account, you must enroll in paperless statements (eStatements) either by registering and logging in to your Online Banking or Mobile Banking account. For new members the paper statement fee is waived for the first 45 days of membership, after that, if you have not enrolled in eStatements you may be assessed a $2 paper statement fee per month. Enrollment in eStatements means you will not receive mail delivery of your statements and you have agreed to Electronic Delivery Disclosure. You may withdraw your consent to receive paperless statements anytime by logging in to your Online Banking or Mobile banking account. If you choose to withdraw from eStatements you will be charged a $2 monthly paper statement fee. Note: The fee is waived for tenant accounts, members age 70 or older; and children age 12 and under.

² Earn 1% Cash Back on up to $1,000 in debit card purchases (point of sale purchases can be either a PIN or signature debit card purchase, including online transactions) each month. Up to $120 cash back per year maximum. Cash back earned each month will be credited to your Affinity Cash Back Debit Account by the next month’s statement cycle. ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or cash equivalents, loan payments and account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. This off er is only eligible with an Affinity Cash Back Debit Account. This account requires an initial opening deposit of $5.00. There is no minimum balance requirement for this account. Cash back offer terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Cash back earned may be reported on an IRS 1099 Form, if applicable.

³ Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Once your direct deposit goes into effect, Affinity may make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. On occasion, we may not receive your deposit information ahead of time from the ACH originator, and may not be able to post your deposit early. In this case, your deposit will post on the scheduled posting date. We recommend that you do not write checks or authorize any other withdrawals against your direct deposit funds until you verify the funds have been posted to your account. Affinity FCU is not responsible for overdraft fees or penalties resulting from transactions that occur due to anticipated early direct deposit postings