Young Americans Center

What Young Americans Center does

Young Americans Center is a Denver-based nonprofit organization founded in 1987 by Bill Daniels, operating two integrated divisions: Young Americans Bank and the Young Americans Center for Financial Education (YACFE). Young Americans Bank is an FDIC-insured, state-chartered commercial bank designed exclusively for youth under 22, offering age-tiered banking products including savings accounts (open from birth), checking accounts (age 10+), debit cards, Visa credit cards with credit-building features (age 12+ with co-signer), certificates of deposit, and small business banking services. The bank's technology stack is provided by Fiserv, with mobile banking delivered through the YAB Touchbanking app on iOS and Android, and supplemented by Coinstar integration for cash deposits and FirstBank ATM fee-waiver arrangements.

The YACFE division delivers hands-on financial literacy education through four core programs: Young AmeriTowne (simulated town for grades 4-6), International Towne (16-country global economics simulation for grades 6-8), YouthBiz (entrepreneurship program for ages 6-21 with mentorship and marketplace sales), and Money Matters (PreK-12 personal finance curriculum). Programs are delivered via three owned facilities (Denver, Belmar/Lakewood, and rural Wray), a mobile "YAT-10" program, virtual delivery through Google Classroom, and the ChargeLab digital learning hub. Programs are aligned with Colorado Content Standards, Common Core, and Personal Financial Literacy Standards, and are licensed to partners in Kansas and Wyoming.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining banking transaction fees (overdraft $12/item, ATM $1.50 after two free, CD early withdrawal penalties), interest income on loans and deposits, per-student program fees ($15-$35 per student for Towne programs), summer camp tuition ($375/week or $300 for four-day camps), and nonprofit donations. The organization reaches over 67,000 youth annually across all programs, operates from three Colorado locations, and is privately funded with no disclosed institutional investors or parent company.

Name

Young Americans Center

Legal name

Young Americans Center for Financial Education

Website

https://yacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Young Americans Center is a Denver-based nonprofit operating the only FDIC-insured, state-chartered bank for youth under 22 alongside a financial education center delivering simulation-based curricula (Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, YouthBiz, Money Matters) to over 67,000 K-12 students annually across Colorado, with licensed partners in Kansas and Wyoming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Financial Education and Banking Services

NAICS

Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Commercial Banking (52211), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022), Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Student & Youth Banking (FSABAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Personal Finance & Financial Literacy for Students (EDAMAIAH), Student Credit Cards (FSAKABAG), Banking & Payments (Accounts, Cards, Digital Payments) (EDAAAJAD), Credit & Debt Management (Credit Scores, Loans, Repayment) (EDAAAJAC), Youth / Family Wallets & Allowance Payments (FSAMAEAK)

Keywords

• Youth banking services
• Financial literacy education
• Youth savings accounts
• Student banking programs
• Financial education curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Banking Services Revenue: Interest income from loans and certificates of deposit; overdraft and NSF fees ($12 per item); ATM transaction fees ($1.50 per transaction after 2 free monthly); wire transfer fees; check printing fees; CD early withdrawal penalties.
2. Educational Program Fees: Per-student fees for Towne programs ranging from $15-$35 per student; summer camp tuition at $375/week or $300 for 4-day camps; YouthBiz curriculum delivery; Money Matters workshops and virtual classes.
3. Youth Business Revenue: Revenue generated from youth-operated businesses in YouthBiz Marketplace and Young AmeriTowne simulations, with youth entrepreneurs earning over $27,500 annually from these programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Young Americans Center operates Young Americans Bank, the only FDIC-insured, state-chartered bank in the world designed exclusively for youth under 22, offering checking, savings, CDs, debit cards, credit cards, ATM cards, personal and small business loans. Alongside the bank, the nonprofit Young Americans Center for Financial Education delivers hands-on financial literacy simulations (Young AmeriTowne for grades 4-6, International Towne for grades 6-8), youth entrepreneurship programs (YouthBiz), personal finance curricula (Money Matters), summer camps, and the ChargeLab digital learning platform, serving over 67,000 youth annually across Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Product overview

Young Americans Center operates two interconnected divisions: Young Americans Bank (the only bank in the world for kids, FDIC-insured and state-chartered) and Young Americans Center for Financial Education (a non-profit organization). The bank offers standard banking products including checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, debit cards, credit cards, ATM cards, and personal/small business loans designed for youth under 22. The educational center provides hands-on financial literacy programs including Young AmeriTowne (simulated town for grades 4-6), International Towne (global economics for grades 6-8), YouthBiz (entrepreneurship for ages 6-21), Money Matters (personal finance PreK-12), Summer Camp programs, and ChargeLab (digital learning hub). Together they serve over 67,000 youth annually with real-life financial experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young AmeriTowne: Financial literacy program providing youth with hands-on simulated town experience for grades 4-6
• International Towne
• YouthBiz
• Money Matters
• ChargeLab
• Young Americans Summer Camp

Products and services

• Young AmeriTowne A financial literacy simulation program for grades 4-6 where students run a simulated town, managing businesses, banking, government, and money decisions to learn free enterprise, banking, and money management in a real-world setting. Delivered at physical simulation facilities and through the YAT-10 mobile program for smaller schools.
• International Towne A global economics program for grades 6-8 that immerses middle schoolers in international trade, currency exchange, and financial literacy through a hands-on model world economy featuring 16 fictional countries across 4 regions. Students participate in diplomacy, trade negotiations, and run national operations.
• YouthBiz An entrepreneurship program for ages 6-21 providing skills, mentorship, and resources to start and grow businesses, including StartUp curriculum (15 sessions for middle/high school), Out of the Box curriculum (business ownership simulation), mentorship matching, marketplace sales opportunities, and the annual YouthBiz Stars Gala competition with $10,000+ in prizes.
• Money Matters A personal financial literacy program for Pre-K through grade 12 covering banking, budgeting, credit, investing, and philanthropy through real-life lessons. Delivered in person at schools and virtually via Google Classroom-based classes.
• Summer Camp Financial education day camps for youth entering grades 3-8 featuring hands-on activities in AmeriTowne, International Towne, and YouthBiz themes. Week-long camps at $375 per child and four-day camps at $300 per child, with financial assistance available.
• ChargeLab An interactive digital learning hub where young people learn and apply financial skills at their own pace through interactive modules, games, and simulations covering banking, budgeting, credit, investing, and philanthropy for grades K-12.
• Savings Accounts A youth savings account available from birth with a $5 minimum opening deposit, 1.00% APY, quarterly interest payments, and no monthly service charge provided there is activity at least once every three years. Suitable for children of all ages.
• Checking Accounts A checking account for youth ages 10 and older with a $10 minimum opening deposit, no monthly service charge, linked debit card for purchases, and standard overdraft/NSF fees ($12 per item).
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Time deposits with a $100 minimum opening and terms of 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years, earning 3.00%, 2.75%, or 2.50% APY respectively, with early withdrawal penalties and automatic renewal at maturity.
• Debit Cards Visa-connected debit cards linked to youth checking accounts with a $500 point-of-sale transaction limit and a $100 daily ATM withdrawal limit, used for youth purchases and Cash deposits at Coinstar kiosks.
• Credit Cards A Visa credit card for youth age 12 and older allowing them to begin building credit history, with a $100 credit limit (expandable up to $500 when secured by a CD), no annual fee, and co-signer requirement for applicants under 18.
• ATM Cards ATM access cards linked to youth savings accounts allowing withdrawals at ATMs across Colorado, the U.S., and some foreign countries, with two free transactions per month at FirstBank ATMs and a $100 maximum daily withdrawal limit.
• Personal Loans Personal loans available to eligible youth customers to help meet financial responsibilities, build a small business, establish a credit score, and fund their financial future.
• Small Business Banking Banking services for youth entrepreneurs including business checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, debit cards, and business loans designed to fund and operate youth-led businesses, often connected with YouthBiz program participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of teachers report improved student confidence in financial decision making
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FiservcoreTechnology or IntegrationFiserv provides the online banking platform and account opening technology for Young Americans Bank. The bank uses Fiserv's originate.fiservapps.com for online account applications and eBank/Touchbanking app for online/mobile banking services.
• CoinstarcoreTechnology or IntegrationCoinstar kiosks allow Young Americans Bank customers to deposit loose change or cash directly into their accounts using their debit card at any Coinstar location.
• Rocky Mountain PBSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative content partnership featuring 'Scout' learning about financial skills at Young Americans. Includes video content and downloadable activity books for children.
• Kansas AmeriTowne LicenseescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed operators running Young AmeriTowne programs in Kansas schools. Part of expansion strategy to serve more youth beyond Colorado.
• Wyoming AmeriTowne LicenseescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed operators running Young AmeriTowne programs in Wyoming schools. Part of expansion strategy to serve more youth beyond Colorado.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Junior Achievement USA: National nonprofit delivering K-12 financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs through in-class curricula, simulations (JA BizTown, JA Finance Park), and school partnerships. Directly comparable mission, target segment, and experiential learning model to Young Americans Center.
• Greenlight: Fintech offering debit cards and financial education app for kids and teens, partnering with parents and schools. Competes with Young Americans Bank for the same youth banking + financial literacy customer, but delivers via mobile app rather than physical branches.
• Step: Mobile-first banking platform aimed at teens and young adults, with a focus on credit-building and financial education content. Targets an overlapping youth segment with a digital-only delivery model that contrasts YAB's branch-and-education-center approach.
• Copper Banking: Teen-focused digital bank and debit card with built-in financial education and money management tools. Directly comparable offering for the same youth banking customer, delivered entirely through a mobile app.
• GoHenry: Prepaid debit card and financial education app for kids 6-18 with parental controls. Comparable youth banking-plus-education model to Young Americans Bank, though delivered as a subscription fintech rather than as a regulated bank.
• EverFi: EdTech platform providing standards-aligned K-12 financial literacy, STEM, and SEL curricula to schools and districts. Competes for the same school district curriculum dollars as Young AmeriTowne and Money Matters, but in a pure digital/SaaS format.
• Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF): Nonprofit providing free personal finance curriculum, lesson plans, and professional development for K-12 educators. Directly competes with Money Matters and ChargeLab for the same teacher and district audience with a free, digital-first delivery model.
• FoolProof Foundation: Nonprofit delivering consumer financial literacy curricula to K-12 schools, colleges, and community organizations. Comparable mission and customer segment to Young Americans Center's financial education programs.

Broad incumbents

• Current: Broader digital banking platform that includes teen checking accounts alongside its adult products. Overlaps with Young Americans Bank's youth offering as part of a wider portfolio rather than as a youth-specialist.
• Chase First Banking: Youth debit account offered by JPMorgan Chase within its broader retail bank. Comparable age-targeted checking/debit product, but delivered through a national incumbent bank rather than a youth-only institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLsKmxKwbdB_lL2cXQL0Fl60PZ61MpBtB1
• Xx.com/yacenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/YoungAmericans

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Young Americans Center