Helping the Next Generation Build Financial Confidence

What if the most important lesson in finance isn't about numbers, but about confidence?

This became clear to me during one of my proudest moments as a parent: helping my daughter open her first bank account.

On the surface, it was a simple errand. We filled out the application, talked through the basics, and downloaded the mobile app so she could check her balance. The banker also showed her how to use the ATM and guided her through depositing a graduation check with her phone. But what stayed with me most was not the task itself. It was watching her confidence grow as the personal banker sitting with us took the time to explain each step, answer her questions, and help her understand how to manage her money.

Our experience that day at the branch reinforced something I have seen throughout my career at Citi: financial confidence isn’t built overnight. It develops through small, foundational moments that help people feel informed, supported, and ready to take the next step.

Opening a first bank account is one of those moments. It should feel exciting, not intimidating.

This means options to waive monthly service fees, simplifying the onboarding process, and making key steps like setting up direct deposit feel more effortless. When people experience the benefits of banking right away, it builds confidence and momentum. Digital tools can help simplify everyday financial management while making it easy to connect with a real person when guidance is needed.

Citi took this philosophy to heart when re-launching its Access Checking account, which serves as a strategic entry point for individuals who are early on in their financial journey. From day one, it reflects a simple mission: help people build financial confidence.

To make banking more accessible, the low Monthly Service Fee is waived for account owners 23 or younger, and there is no minimum deposit requirement. And to fit a digital-first lifestyle, it offers the convenience of over 65,000 fee-free ATMs and a digital wallet, along with fraud protection. Citi Access Checking can be a gateway to financial growth, connecting users to financial literacy resources, credit-building tools, and the broader Citi ecosystem as their needs evolve with benefits such as special merchant offers and exclusive Citi Entertainment presales.

We have a responsibility to recognize that the next generation's expectations are changing. Young adults want experiences that are simple, transparent, and designed around the way they live today. They expect technology to make things convenient, while still valuing financial trust and guidance, and empathy when it matters most.

Of course, banks are just one part of the ecosystem. Parents often provide the first lessons about saving and spending. Educators introduce financial concepts that create a foundation for future success. Community organizations create opportunities for young people to build financial skills in meaningful ways. Together, we help create environments where asking questions is encouraged and financial education feels accessible.

When I think back to the day my daughter opened her first bank account, I remember more than just a transaction. I remember watching her confidence grow because someone took the time to guide her through the experience.

Every financial journey begins with a first step. That's why Citi focuses on getting those first experiences right. By helping to make banking convenient, accessible, and rooted in trust, Citi can help people build the confidence to take the next step in their financial journey.

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