Growing up in an increasingly digital world, many youth and teens are becoming more interested in understanding how money works.
Seeing this demand, NDBT (North Dallas Bank & Trust Co.) decided to launch its Family Banking Program in April.
The program was inspired by an initiative hosted by NDBT last year, where the team invited customers’ children to tour the bank and taught them lessons about spending and saving money.
“We rolled out the red carpet and provided excellent service for them,” Director of Deposit Relations Pouroo Dastur said. “The whole experience was so well received by our existing customers, so we thought, ‘Why not translate this to the larger community audience?’”
What is the Family Banking Program?
Designed for youth and teens ages 6 to 17, the Family Banking Program combines youth banking products with hands-on financial education. Participants are divided into two age groups—ages 6-12 and ages 13-17—with services and tools tailored to each stage of their financial journey.
All youth and teens have access to products and services, including:
- The opportunity to open savings and spending accounts with no service charges
- Access to age-appropriate videos teaching financial basics, such as the difference between needs and wants
- Customized debit card options exclusively available to them
- Digital banking tools that allow them to see account balances, transfer funds and learn budgeting skills
- Swag bags
As children move into the older age group, their offerings expand.
“For teenagers ages 13 to 17, we provide more independence within mobile banking, including mobile deposit access, a bit higher spending limits and Zelle®,” Dastur said.
While teens gain more financial freedom, families remain in control and can determine spending limits based on their comfort level. Each stage introduces more responsibility while maintaining appropriate safeguards, so it evolves with the child’s financial maturity.
How is the program making an everyday impact?
One major difference between NDBT's Family Banking Program and other youth accounts is that it goes beyond opening an account.
The program is designed as an ongoing learning experience. It gives youth and teens opportunities to interact with bank staff, tour the facility and continue building financial knowledge through educational resources.
“This program is a full experience," Dastur said. “[For example], when a child comes in with their family, they’re not only introduced to the team at the bank and given an opportunity to tour the bank, but they’re getting an opportunity to see a safe deposit vault area—things that they’ve only perhaps seen in movies; they actually have the opportunity to do that.”
That hands-on approach has already translated into real-world results for participants.
In one example, a child used the program's digital banking tools to track savings goals, and eventually saved enough money to purchase a scooter.
“The child could see their account balance through a platform on their phone,” Dastur said. “They had the excitement of knowing how much more they needed to save and how many chores they needed to do in order to earn the money to put into their account.”
By connecting everyday goals with practical financial tools, the program helps children understand the value of saving and gives them a sense of ownership over their money.
Get started with the Family Banking Program
Dastur explained that at its core, the program is designed to give families a simple and effective way to learn about one of life’s most important skills.
“If we can impact even a small percentage of kids, so they can grow up more confident and responsible with their money, that’s meaningful, and not just for them, but for our entire community.”
Summer is a great time to get started with the Family Banking Program, as children are out of school and have more time to learn these financial habits.
Click here to learn more about the Family Banking Program, or to contact the NDBT team today.
NDBT (North Dallas Bank & Trust Co.) is headquartered at 12900 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75230. Member FDIC.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
