Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking℠ Survey: Despite Owning up to Money Missteps, 9 out of 10 Teens Would Rather Let Parents See Purchase Decisions Before Sharing Their Text Messages

Teens also report desire to drive positive social impact with purchases, autonomy to spend as they please

According to a newly released Wells Fargo survey, both teens and parents cite challenges and disagreements related to how teens spend, with nearly 70% of teens reporting they should be able to make purchases using their own money without restrictions, compared to only 44% of parents. The survey, sponsored by Clear Access Banking℠ – an account free¹ for people 13 to 24 years old that only allows customers to spend what they have – highlights one aspect of an all too familiar family dynamic in which parents struggle: how to balance imparting enough financial health guidance to keep kids on track, while giving them the chance to spread their financial wings and make their own spending mistakes.

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The survey, sponsored by Clear Access Banking℠ – an account free for people 13 to 24 years old that only allows customers to spend what they have – highlights one aspect of an all too familiar family dynamic in which parents struggle: how to balance imparting enough financial health guidance to keep kids on track, while giving them the chance to spread their financial wings and make their own spending mistakes. (Photo: Wells Fargo)

“Movements like #FreeBritney have opened up the discussion around financial freedom, with more than half (56%) of teens who are aware of the pop culture moment saying it made them think more about their own financial dependence on their parents,” said Darlene Goins, head of Wells Fargo’s Banking Inclusion Initiative. “Leveraging cultural topics like this one allows parents to discuss with their children ways to foster a more positive, independent relationship with money.”

Clear Access Banking is a checkless checking account designed for consumers seeking help to manage their spending or who are new to banking. The $5 monthly service fee is waived for primary account owners 13 through 24 years old¹, and customers can conveniently track all of their spending from the Wells Fargo Mobile® app.

Perceptions differ when it comes to allowance, but parents wise to mind teens’ money habits

While about two-thirds of parents (62%) reported giving an allowance to their teen, fewer than two in five (38%) teens reported getting an allowance. Four out of five teens who get an allowance (81%) say they are supposed to earn it through chores (90% of parents agree); however, half (50%) report getting paid even if they don’t do their chores.

“Ideally, parents should use allowance as an opportunity to show their teen the importance of responsibility and taking their ‘job’ seriously,” added Goins. “The next best thing parents can do is model good behavior and set up their teen with foundational tools, including a starter bank account like Clear Access Banking. It only allows customers to spend what they have in their account, eliminates the prospect of overdraft fees², and provides young people guardrails as they learn the basics of personal finance 101.”

Nearly half (42%) of surveyed parents shared concern that their teen does not yet understand the value of money, a worry substantiated by responses from teens. Three out of four teens (76%) reported buyer’s remorse for an expensive purchase, while more than a third (37%) reported paying for something online or in-app that they thought was going to be free and losing track of how much money they have in their budget to spend (36%).

Teens and parents more willing to see purchases before texts, parents raising altruistic adolescents

One thing parents and teens tend to agree on? If they had to choose, most parents would rather see everything their teen spends money on (61%) versus seeing all of their teen’s text messages (39%). Echoing that sentiment, almost nine out of ten teens say the prospect of parents seeing all their text messages (86%) is scarier than having them see every one of their purchases. On the other hand, nearly half of teens (46%) admit they have purchased things behind their parent’s back.

The survey revealed that teens want their spending to “do good,” with two-thirds (66%) having donated money to causes or people they stand behind. Four out of five teens (82%) reported wanting their spending to have a positive social impact, with more than half (57%) saying the pandemic made them more interested in giving money to others.

Whether or not teens share purchase decisions with their parents, Clear Access Banking, designed for young adults and those new to banking, features an array of convenient services at no additional cost to help them manage money, including:

• Access to the Wells Fargo Mobile® app and Wells Fargo Online® banking tools, including account alerts³ to help customers stay on top of their finances and track available funds.
• A contactless Wells Fargo Debit Card with Zero Liability protection.⁴
• Access to Zelle®, which allows customers to quickly send and receive money with friends, family, and others they know and trust who have a U.S.-based bank account, directly from one deposit account to another.⁵
• Use of more than 13,000 ATMs across the country, and full-service banking support offered by bankers face-to-face at branches across the U.S. and via phone.

For more tips and tools related to financial wellness education, visit the Financial Health section on Wells Fargo Stories, and for more information about Clear Access Banking, visit www.wellsfargo.com/clearaccess.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortune’s 2021 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.

About the survey

Versta Research conducted a national survey of 606 parents and teens on behalf of Wells Fargo. The survey included 303 teens between the ages of 13 and 17, and 303 parents of teens who are 13 to 17. Sampling of both groups was stratified by gender, race/ethnicity, and household income, then weighted to current population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau of persons in households with teens age 13 to 17. The survey was conducted from August 24 to September 10, 2021.

¹ When the primary account owner reaches the age of 25, age can no longer be used to avoid the monthly service fee. Customers between 13 and 16 years old must have an adult co-owner.

² Other fees may apply, and it is possible for the account to have a negative balance. Please see wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures for details.

³ Sign-up may be required. Availability may be affected by your mobile carrier’s coverage area. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.

⁴ With Zero Liability protection, you will be reimbursed for any promptly reported unauthorized card transactions. Please see your applicable Wells Fargo account agreement, debit and ATM card terms and conditions, or Wells Fargo EasyPay Card Terms and Conditions for information on liability for unauthorized transactions.

⁵ Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes. Terms and conditions apply.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

News Release Category: WF-ERS

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