Money Skills Start Here

Credit union accounts designed for every stage of growing up.

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Financial education that goes beyond the classroom.

In summer 2025, Bellwether sponsored a Stickball pilot program in partnership with Stickball and the Manchester School District.

We are excited to continue and expand upon this partnership.

Homegrown financial literacy.
Coming soon to more New Hampshire schools and communities!

Money skills are easier to learn when you can actually practice them.

That's why Bellwether and Stickball are bringing interactive financial education to students in the Manchester, New Hampshire school districts.

Students get to practice:

SAVING
Build habits that last.

SPENDING
Make everyday money decisions.

PLANNING
See how choices affect the future.

BORROWING
Understand credit and lending.

Stickball's platform uses interactive simulations rather than simply presenting financial information, allowing learners to practice everyday financial decisions.

Member-owned.
Built for you, at any age.

Being a credit union means we are owned by members like YOU, not shareholders.

That changes everything.

✔ Serving New Hampshire since 1921.
✔ Profits returned to members — not shareholders.
✔ Local decisions. Local people.
✔ Banking that makes a difference.

As a credit union, we don't like charging fees to our members.

That means that youth accounts ALL come with:

Free user-friendly online banking access & mobile app

Free ATM access nationwide courtesy of the CO-OP Network

Free shared branch services available at over 6,700 CU Service Centers across the country

No minimum balance requirements

No monthly maintenance fee²

No direct deposit requirement

Whatever stage of life,
there's a place to begin.

Learning to save?

Getting a first checking account?

Getting that first paycheck?

Bellwether has an account for the next step.

I'm helping my child learn to save

Begin Savings For ages 0-26

Begin Banking image

Begin Savings¹ is a first account for learning the value of saving, with a parent or guardian there to help along the way.

Just $5 to open
Earn a premium rate on your full balance, from the first penny, up to $500¹
Great for allowance, birthday and holiday money, and saving up for the future
At age 16, members can open an individual account without a parent or guardian

Best For: Kids & younger teens

Learn More

I'm ready for my first checking account

Begin Banking Checking For ages 14-26

Begin Banking image2

Begin Banking Free Youth Checking² gives young adults ages 14–26 a simple way to start managing money of their own.

Just $25 to open
First debit card to practice spending safely
NO savings overdraft fees²
Great for learning how to budget and handle spending your own money
At age 18, members can open an individual checking account without a parent or guardian

Best for: Teens & young adults

Learn More

I have a job and want my paycheck early

Live Free Checking For ages 18+

Jan. 24 4_ New Job Money Moves-min

Starting your first job is a big deal. So is getting your paycheck.

With Live Free Checking,³ eligible direct deposits can arrive up to 2 days early.

Just $25 to open
Your paycheck, up to 2 days early³
Free bill pay for your first bills
Free Credit Monitoring
Overdraft protection available³
Great for taking control of your first income, and the expenses that come with growing up
No cosigner required over the age of 18

Best for: Working young adults, age 18+

Learn More

Free Member Services

Bellwether members have access to these additional services to help take care of your financial needs at your convenience

Online banking
Mobile banking
Smartwatch banking
Call24 Transactions
30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs*

* Other institutions may charge a fee for usage of their ATM machines

Online bill pay with E-Bills
eStatement / eDocuments / eForms
Monthly paper statements
Online incoming external transfers
Online outgoing external transfers

Saving Makes Cents

Sign up. Swipe. Save! With Saving Makes Cents, each time you use your Bellwether debit card, we'll round up the change and deposit the extra cash in your savings account.

Growing up is a lot.
Banking doesn't have to be.

Local support

Real people right here in New Hampshire.

Digital access

Manage your money from wherever you are.

Financial education

Tools and experiences that help money lessons stick.

A place to grow

Accounts that can change as you do.

Whether you're opening your child's first savings account, getting your first checking account or starting your first job,

Bellwether is here for the next step.

Testimonials

"BCCU carries 4 of my accounts. The service receive and professionalism you receive are steps above any other financial institution I have used."

Shawn Serfass, Manchester, NH

"Have had an account for a very long time. Love doing most of my banking and bill paying online."

Lilian Carter, Manchester, NH

FAQs

Why start a banking journey with a credit union?

Credit unions are member-owned, which means we're here to serve our members and their financial goals, not shareholders. As a credit union, we're also investing in financial education both through our accounts and by bringing interactive financial literacy programs to New Hampshire schools.

What age can a child open an account?

Begin Savings can be opened with a parent or guardian for children under 16.

At 16, they can have an individual account. Begin Banking is available to ages 14–26 as a first checking account.

That's because minors cannot legally consent and sign the credit union's agreements if they are under the age of 16.

What's the difference between Begin Savings and Begin Banking?

Begin Savings helps younger members learn to save and build good money habits. Begin Banking is a starter checking account for managing money and spending independently.

Can a parent or guardian access a child’s savings account?

Yes. Parents and guardians can help manage a child’s account if they are joint or custodial account types, making it easier to guide them as they learn to save, spend and build healthy money habits.

What account should I consider when I start working?

If you're 18 or older and have a job, Live Free Checking offers eligible direct deposits up to two days early, plus no monthly fee or minimum balance.

How does a checking account work?

A checking account is where your everyday money lives. You put money in, from a paycheck, an allowance, or a birthday gift, and use it to pay for things.

Most of the time you'll spend from it with your debit card. Each time you tap, swipe, or pay online, the money comes straight out of your checking account. You can spend what's in the account, which makes it a great way to practice budgeting. You can also add your card to your phone's digital wallet, check your balance in the Bellwether app, and use Saving Makes Cents to round up each purchase into your savings.

You can still order checks if you need them, for things like paying rent or a landlord who doesn't take cards.

How do I check my checking account balance?

You'll have a variety of ways to check your checking account when you open one with Bellwether. You can check your account at any one of our four New Hampshire branches, or access your account online or on our free mobile app. We can also send you monthly account statements by mail.

Does a debit card work with a checking or savings account?

A debit card is linked to a checking account. When you use a debit card to make a transaction, the money is pulled from your checking account. It's a substitute for cash.

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Read our Children’s Online Privacy Statement

Disclosure:

1 Begin Savings balance earns a premium rate from the first penny deposited, equal to the highest tier on our money market savings accounts on full balance up to $500. Any amount above that limit earns our standard savings rate. The Begin Saving Account is available to members through the age of 26. The premium rate tier will be discontinued automatically during the month following the member's 27th birthday, with the dividend rate adjusting to the Primary Savings (Regular) Share Account rate. An adult is required on all accounts for children through the age of 15. The child’s social security number is required to receive benefits. Other fees may apply please consult our Consumer Schedule of Fees for more information. Three account types qualify for use as a Begin Saving Account:

Custodial Accounts: Requires the adult on the account to authorize all withdrawals.

Joint accounts (non-custodial): Does not require the adult's signature for withdrawals.

Individual accounts: Does not require an adult for children ages 16-17

2 Begin Banking Account is a transactional account available to members ages 14 through 26 and will convert to a Live Free Checking account during the month following the primary members’ 27th birthday. The minimum balance required to open is $25.00. No monthly service charge. Dividends and courtesy pay not available. Required joint owner adult until 18. Federally insured by the NCUA. Other fees may apply please consult our Consumer Schedule of Fees for more information.

3 No minimum balance required, just $25 to open the account. Other fees may apply please consult our Consumer Schedule of Fees for more information. Overdraft Protection requires credit approval. Fees apply.

Money Skills Start Here

Save. Spend. Learn. Grow.

Financial education that goes beyond the classroom.

Homegrown financial literacy.
Coming soon to more New Hampshire schools and communities!

Money skills are easier to learn when you can actually practice them.

Member-owned.
Built for you, at any age.