Smart Start Youth Banking
Help kids on the path to financial literacy by opening up a GRB Smart Start youth checking and savings account.
Accountholders earn more on their deposits and get rewarded for key accomplishments as they build their financial future.
Youth Checking & Savings Accounts to Start Smart & Earn Big
Children with bank accounts learn financial responsibility, fosters independence, and promotes good financial habits. Establishing checking and savings accounts can help teach children the value of money, budgeting, and saving for goals.
At GRB, we’re pleased to help children and young adults start off with a strong financial future by providing youth-focused bank accounts with benefits that will pay off for years to come!
Smart Start
Account Highlights
-
No Minimum Age to Open
From babies to young adults, Smart Start accounts offer an opportunity to keep earning. -
Fee Waivers
There are no fees on Smart Start accounts through age 26. -
Debit Cards Available
With parental consent, children may receive a debit card at age 13 for added convenience. -
Earn More!
Earn premium rates, cashback bonuses, and milestone rewards.
smart start savings
The earlier children start saving, the faster the interest stacks up! Designed to help earn interest on everything from birthday money to a first job, a Smart Start Savings account provides an FDIC-protected account for set-it-and-forget-it benefits on deposit amounts starting at just one cent! In addition to premium rates, Smart Start Savings accountholders are eligible for:
- No minimum balance is required to open a Smart Start Savings account
- GRB will match up to $25 once an initial deposit is made into the NEW Smart Start Savings account*
- ATM debit card available at age 13 with parental permission
- Minimum balance fees waived until age 26
Account Balance |
Interest Rate |
APY* |
Balance to Obtain APY |
Minimum to Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$0.01 to $5,000.00
|
1.98%
|
2.00%
|
$0.01 to $5,000.00
|
No minimum balance required to open
|
|
$5,000.01+
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
$5,000.01+
|
No minimum balance required to open
|
*GRB’s match of up to $25 will be processed in the statement cycle immediately following the initial deposit.
1) Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 01/14/2026. This is a tiered deposit account. The rate available is 1.98% (2.00% APY) for deposit balances of $0.01 to $5,000.00. A rate of 1.00% (1.00% APY) is available for deposit balances of $5,000.01 and greater. Fees may reduce income on account, other terms and conditions may apply. Rates and terms may change without notice after account opening.
Smart Start Checking
Give the children in your life the tools to learn smart money habits with GRB’s Smart Start Checking.* Smart Start Checking provides a foundation account for kids from birth to age 26 with fee waivers, available ATM debit cards, and special perks. As they grow, youth accountholders can earn cash bonuses for milestone achievements like getting a driver’s license and graduating from high school, as well as earn cashback statement credits on debit card swipes once they are eligible. A Smart Start Checking account is more than banking—it’s a foundation for financial understanding and independence with lots of other great perks:
- No minimum balance is required to open a Smart Start Checking account.
- GRB will match up to $25 once an initial deposit is made into the NEW Smart Start Checking account.**
- Minimum balance fees waived until age 26
- ATM debit card available at age 13 with parental permission
- Surcharge-free ATM networks plus up to $10 in monthly ATM rebates for out-of-network withdrawals
- Debit card cashback (swipe 12x/month and get a $5 statement credit, 24x/month for a $10 statement credit)
- Real-time credit score and report monitoring via Array
- Access to online banking with parent approval
-
Cash Bonus Milestones:***
Earn a Driver's License (one time) - $50
Graduate from high school (or equivalent - one time) - $50
Complete post high school education (associate, bachelor's, master's, or trade - one time) - $50
*This is a non-interest bearing account. Accountholders should consider their banking needs when selecting the Smart Start account or a Rewards account.
**GRB’s match of up to $25 will be processed in the statement cycle immediately following the initial deposit.
***Cash Bonus Milestones can be redeemed up to six months after the event occurred (i.e. An accountholder who earned a driver’s license three months ago would qualify for the $50 bonus. A driver who earned their driver’s license two years ago would not). Milestone Bonuses are earned by providing proof of receipt in person at any GRB branch. There is no minimum balance required in a Smart Start Checking account to earn a Milestone Bonus.
Smart Start
Account Highlights
- No minimum age to open - From babies to young adults, Smart Start accounts offer an opportunity to keep earning.
- Fee waivers - There are no fees on Smart Start accounts through age 26.
- Debit cards available - With parental consent, children may receive a debit card for added convenience.
- Earn more - Earn premium rates, cashback bonuses, and milestone rewards.
Ready to Start Smart?
Use the dropdown below to fill out our ‘Contact Us’ form, and a GRB Relationship Banker will be in touch with additional account information!
Good Financial Habits Start With
Smart Start Checking
Help the children in your life build smart money habits with GRB’s Smart Start Checking.* Designed for ages birth to 26, this account grows with your child – starting with a solid foundation for managing money and expanding into meaningful rewards as they reach new milestones.
Youth accountholders can earn cash bonuses for key achievements and, once eligible for an ATM card or debit card, enjoy cashback statement credits on everyday spending.
With Smart Start Checking, you’re giving them more than a bank account – you’re giving them a confident start with perks that include:
- Match of first deposit up to $25 upon opening a NEW Smart Start account
- Real-time credit score and report monitoring via Array
- Surcharge-free ATM networks plus up to $10 in monthly ATM rebates for out-of-network withdrawals
- Access to online banking with parent approval
- Debit card cashback (swipe 12x/month and get a $5 statement credit, 24x/month for a $10 statement credit)
Smart Start Milestone Achievements
Earn $50 when you receive your driver’s license
One Time Earning
Earn $50 when you graduate from high school
[ Or An Equivalent Program ]
One Time Earning
Earn $50 when you complete a higher education program
[ Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Trade ]
One Time Earning
Learning to Save Starts With
Smart Start Savings
A little savings can go a long way – especially when kids start early. Smart Start Savings gives young savers a secure place to grow their money, earning interest from the moment they deposit as little as one cent.
From birthday gifts to first-job earnings, every penny is protected with FDIC insurance and boosted by premium rates.
Accountholders also enjoy additional perks, including:
- Match of first deposit up to $25 upon opening a NEW Smart Start account
- ATM debit card available at age 13 with parental permission
- Minimum balance fees waived until age 26
Smart Start Savings Current Rates
Account Balance |
Interest Rate |
APY* |
Balance to Obtain APY |
Minimum to Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$0.01 to $5,000.00
|
1.98%
|
2.00%
|
$0.01 to $5,000.00
|
No minimum balance required to open
|
|
$5,000.01+
|
1.00%
|
1.00%
|
$5,000.01+
|
No minimum balance required to open
|
*GRB’s match of up to $25 will be processed in the statement cycle immediately following the initial deposit.
1) Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 01/14/2026. This is a tiered deposit account. The rate available is 1.98% (2.00% APY) for deposit balances of $0.01 to $5,000.00. A rate of 1.00% (1.00% APY) is available for deposit balances of $5,000.01 and greater. Fees may reduce income on account, other terms and conditions may apply. Rates and terms may change without notice after account opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which account is right for me - Smart Start or Reward Checking?
It depends on your age and banking needs. Accountholders would need to consider if they would usually complete the transaction requirements, how much money they would have in the account, and whether they are likely to be eligible for the Cash Bonus Milestones. This is a great opportunity for our personal banking team to engage and help the customer find the best solution.
Are there parental controls on Smart Start accounts?
Yes. There is an option to set up the Smart Start Savings account as a UTMA account (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act). This would restrict the child's access until the parent elects otherwise. At that point, a retail banker can help the parent modify the account structure. If you choose to have either the savings or checking account as joint, this can be somewhat tailored to your comfort level, including restricting features like online banking access or debit card access until the age of 13. Talk to a retail banker to learn more!
Can existing GRB accounts be converted to Smart Start?
Absolutely - and converted accounts will still be eligible for the same benefits as a new Smart Start account. Talk to a Retail banker to get started.
Can accountholders earn bonuses on multiple Smart Start accounts?
No. Each minor can have one (1) Smart Start Checking account and one (1) Smart Start Savings account.
However, a parent can be listed on Smart Start accounts for multiple children. Every child still receives all Smart Start benefits, including milestone bonuses.
What happens to Smart Start accounts at age 26?
Accountholders are welcome to keep using a Smart Start account after age 26. However, the account benefits may change. There will be personal outreach from our team to the accountholder prior to that time. GRB will help the accountholder assess their banking needs and recommend the best account for them going forward.