CYF

Center for Youth Finance

The financial
system wasn't
built for teens.
We're changing that.

A youth-led nonprofit researching how financial systems impact American teenagers — and taking direct action to fix it.

Read Policy Brief #1 Learn About CYF
4.2%
of households lack a bank account
5.6M
families without accounts
20×
more assets with early account access
5
states can deny teen bank accounts

Our Mission

Research that moves policy. Action that moves lives.

CYF is a youth-led nonprofit studying how financial systems, economic conditions, and consumer financial products impact teenagers — and publishing policy recommendations for educators and policymakers.

We don't just publish reports. We work directly with teens to help them access the financial tools they deserve.

This is not a personal failure or a parental failure. It's a system failure.

— CYF Policy Brief #1, Financial Access for Minors

Our Research

Three divisions. One mission.

📊

Economic Policy Division

Studies how broader economic conditions, labor policies, and wealth inequality specifically impact teenagers and what policy changes would improve economic outcomes for young people.

🏦

Financial Systems Division

Studies banking access, account restrictions, and financial infrastructure barriers for minors — and how the design of financial systems excludes teenagers by default.

🛡️

Consumer Protection Division

Studies fees, predatory products, and financial product transparency as they affect teenagers — and what regulatory protections are needed for young consumers.

Policy Brief #1 — May 2026

Financial Access
for Minors.

How banking laws, account restrictions, and financial infrastructure create barriers for American teenagers — and what Congress, regulators, and schools need to do about it.

Download the Full Brief

Key Findings

4.2%
of U.S. households lack a bank or credit union account — with rates skewing higher among younger households.
5
states including Texas and Oklahoma give parents the legal right to deny their minor children from having bank accounts.
20×
more assets accumulated by young adults who had savings accounts early in life compared to those who didn't.

About CYF

Built by teens. Built for teens.

The Center for Youth Finance was founded in 2026 with a simple belief: the financial system fails teenagers, and teenagers should be the ones calling it out.

We operate like a think tank — structured, research-driven, and policy-focused. But unlike a traditional think tank, the researchers, writers, and advocates at CYF are the same people affected by the problems we study.

Based in Connecticut, CYF is currently in Phase 2 of its development — publishing our first policy brief and building toward direct outreach with legislators and educators.

Our Roadmap

  • Phase 1 — Foundation
    Name, mission, divisions, and research structure established.
    Done
  • Phase 2 — First Output
    Policy Brief #1 published. Outreach to educators and staffers begins.
    Now
  • Phase 3 — Contributors
    Recruiting 2–5 research contributors to expand CYF's work.
    Next
  • Phase 4 — Direct Service
    Launching programs to directly help teens access banking and financial tools.
    Coming

Get Involved

Work with CYF.

Whether you're an educator, a policymaker, or a teen who wants to get involved — we want to hear from you.

Contact Us Download Our Brief