Opening first checking account?

Most banks charge a monthly fee ( $15 per month ) and the checks are also cost. A minimum on deposit of several hundred dollars.
Most require a monthly direct deposit from the company you work for, payroll direct deposit.
Also most banks, credit unions and other financial institutions may NOT let you have a checking account because of your age, under 18 years old.

You should see if they will let you start a savings account.

Some credit unions will offer a teen-friendly bank account, I would look for websites to the banks in your area and see what they offer. Look for truly free checking. Don’t bother with the national banks because they all have fees for people who don’t direct deposit.

Also, most banks do have a required minimum to open the account, usually $100.

Any credit union in your area shoul have free checking and free online banking. The minimum deposit for any one under 18yrs old is $5 at our credit union.

Check out the credit unions in your area. I started my youth account when I was 16 or 17, no minimum balance required in my checking account, $5 minimum balance in my savings, never had any serious problems with them in the 5 or so years I’ve had the account.

You will however, probably need to go in with one of your parents and they will have to be the primary account holder, but both your names will be on the account and it will be a youth account. They can just give you one debit card with your name on it. You’ll have full access to your account, it will just have your parent’s name on the bank statements and such.

I bank at both our local credit union, and at one of the “Too Big to Fail” banks. Most banks have FREE student checking accounts, if your parents bank with them. No direct deposit required and the minimum to open is low, like $5.00. My bank has student banking accounts for high school students that can roll over into a college account, once you enroll (at that time you become independent of your parental requirement to bank with them, but the same no fee, low balance applies).

As @guywithanaccountnow suggests, be sure that you find out what ALL the fees are. And if you get a debit card, be sure that you opt out of overdraft coverage – that rule is the same whether you are with a bank or a CU: you have to opt out, or it will automatically kick in, rather than deny your purchase. Those fees are killer, like $35 per overdraft! Good luck and kudos to you on being interested in managing your wealth!