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In-School Banking Program

Announced in November 2025, the In-School Banking Program is a key component of the Financial Literacy for Youth Initiative. Participating students and their families learn about in-school banking services through on-site banking days, school events, such as career day, college fairs, and others, or by attending banking workshops, and, when possible, participating students can connect with career development opportunities in the financial sector – all directly in school spaces.

In-school banking is recognized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as one of the "most promising frontiers" in developing young people's financial skills, particularly among persistently-unbanked communities. Research shows that in-school banking offers benefits to program participants and financial institutions. For example, students with access to savings accounts are seven times more likely to attend college and are more financially capable overall. In-school banking also provides financial institutions with meaningful opportunities to support community development.

The local financial partners participating in the In-School Banking Program are:

  • Amalgamated Bank
  • Bank of America
  • Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union
  • Citizens
  • FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
  • Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union
  • M&T Bank
  • Municipal Credit Union
  • Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union
  • Ridgewood Savings Bank
  • Santander
  • Spring Bank
  • TD Bank
  • Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union
  • Wells Fargo

To learn more about the first 15 high schools participating in the In-School Banking Program, check out Financial Literacy for Youth’s first 15 public school districts. If your school is interested in participating in the in-school banking program, please fill out our online interest form.

Financial Products Available to You

Families without a bank account are forced to rely on costly alternatives like check cashers, which can perpetuate cycles of poverty. Research recently released by DCWP found that 238,900 households in New York City – or roughly 7 percent of the city's population – do not have a bank account, which is higher than the national average of 4.2 percent. The in-school banking program aims to address this disparity by bringing accessible financial services and education into school communities.

NYC also offers these financial resources for families: 

  • NYC SafeStart Account is a savings account for all New Yorkers. It has no overdraft fees and low minim balance requirements. Learn more at nyc.gov/safestart.
  • With an IDNYC Card, you can open a bank or credit union account at one of several financial institutions across New York City. Learn more at nyc.gov/idnycbanks.
  • The BankOn-certified account with online opening features is an affordable and safe account. Learn more at joinbankon.org.
  • Get Banked NYC helps youth navigate the world of banking simply and securely, providing the tools and guidance youth need to start making smart financial decisions. Get Banked NYC is associated with the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and its mission is to empower youth to take confident steps towards responsibility. Learn more at getbankednyc.org.

Consumer Tips on Financial Products

DCWP offers consumer tips on topics relating to different financial products including checking accounts and credit cards: Read tip sheets.

Our "Do More with Your Money" tip sheets describe financial products: