Economic Policy
How the economy treats teens
Economic conditions, labor policies, and wealth inequality — studied specifically through their impact on teenagers, with policy changes that would improve outcomes for young people.
Youth-led · Nonprofit · Connecticut
The Center for Youth Finance researches how banking laws and financial products exclude American teenagers — and works directly to change it.
Our mission
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
Economic Policy
Economic conditions, labor policies, and wealth inequality — studied specifically through their impact on teenagers, with policy changes that would improve outcomes for young people.
Financial Systems
Banking access, account restrictions, and the financial infrastructure that excludes minors by design. Home of Policy Brief #1.
Consumer Protection
Fees, predatory products, and financial product transparency as they affect teenagers — and the regulatory protections young consumers need.
Published research
Millions of American teenagers can't open a bank account — not because they don't want one, but because the law won't let them. Our first brief examines the barriers, the data, and what Congress, regulators, and schools need to do about it.
Download the full brief ↓Join CYF
CYF is recruiting motivated teens across research, policy, outreach, communications, and leadership. Every contributor does real work that goes into real policy briefs.
No prior experience required — just a genuine interest in making the financial system work for young people.
Apply now →Open positions
About CYF
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 the researchers, writers, and advocates at CYF are the same people affected by the problems we study.
Based in Connecticut, CYF is currently publishing our first policy brief and building toward direct outreach with legislators and educators.
Our roadmap
Foundation Done
Name, mission, divisions, and research structure established.
First output Now
Policy Brief #1 published. Outreach to educators and staffers begins.
Contributors Next
Recruiting the first research contributors to expand CYF's work.
Direct service Coming
Programs that directly help teens access banking and financial tools.
Get involved
Whether you're an educator, a policymaker, or a teen who wants to get involved — we want to hear from you.