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Finley

The kids banking app that builds smart money habits

Real banking. Real money. Real financial education.

Finley by Michigan First Credit Union gives kids and teens ages 6–17 a safe place to earn, save, spend, and learn while parents stay in control every step of the way.

Whether your child is receiving their first allowance or preparing for their first paycheck, Finley helps build confidence through real-world experience: not pretend games.

Open a Finley account today to get started.
 

Safe banking for kids

Finley is designed with families in mind.

Children can safely practice managing money while parents retain oversight through built-in controls and account management tools. Every account is backed by Michigan First Credit Union, giving families the confidence of banking with a trusted financial institution.


Learn by doing

Research consistently shows that financial habits begin developing at an early age. Finley gives children opportunities to make small money decisions today so they're prepared for bigger financial decisions tomorrow.

Instead of memorizing financial concepts, kids build experience using real banking tools in a safe, parent-guided environment.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Finley is a youth banking app and financial education program from Michigan First Credit Union. It combines a real checking account, debit card, financial lessons, savings goals, and parent controls to help children build lifelong money skills.
Yes. Finley includes a real checking account through Michigan First Credit Union, giving children the opportunity to safely practice managing money with guidance from a parent or guardian.
Finley has no monthly maintenance fee, making it an affordable way for families to begin teaching real-world money management.
Finley is designed for children and teens ages 6 through 17. Educational content matches each child's age and grows with them over time. At 17, kids will be able to enroll in our First Gear account to begin managing their money at a young adult level.
Finley is built for both phones and tablets, while parents manage the account through the Michigan First mobile banking app or online banking platform. Contact us if you have questions about the best setup for your family.
Parents can monitor purchases, set spending limits, freeze or unfreeze the debit card, manage chores and allowances, change PINs, reset passwords, and unlock accounts.
Yes. Each eligible child can have their own Finley account, allowing every member of the family to learn and practice money management at their own pace.
Yes. Every child receives their own debit card that can be used for everyday purchases while parents monitor activity through the Michigan First mobile app.
Parents can immediately freeze the card through the Michigan First mobile app while arranging for a replacement, helping prevent unauthorized purchases. Kids also have the ability to freeze their cards, but require a parent to help unfreeze it.
Yes. Parents can set spending limits, monitor purchases in real time, and freeze or unfreeze the debit card whenever needed.
Yes. Finley includes hundreds of age-appropriate lessons covering saving, spending, budgeting, banking, investing, credit, loans, taxes, insurance, and more.
Yes. Finley's curriculum grows with your child. Younger children learn foundational concepts like saving and spending, while older teens explore budgeting, credit, investing, taxes, insurance, and preparing for financial independence.

Get Started with Finley

 

Log in

Log in to your Michigan First online or mobile banking.

 

Enroll

Click on the Finley Youth Banking button to enroll your child.

 

Download the app

Download Finley by Michigan First.

 

Complete onboarding

Have your child continue through the onboarding process.

Every Finley Account Has:

  • Parental Controls
  • No Monthly Fee
  • Chores & Allowance
  • Savings Goals
  • Educational Lessons
Meet Finley
An easy-to-use financial education app and debit card built for every stage
For Kids
Fin the Fox makes learning about financial basics easy: from how a debit card works to making smart spending choices.
For Pre-Teens
As your child grows, their learning shifts into budgeting, online safety, and the basics of banking independently.
For Teens
Help your teen prepare for adulthood with lessons covering credit, paychecks, and financial responsibility after high school.

Everything your child needs to build money confidence

Why Learning With Real Money Matters

Reading about money is helpful. Using money responsibly is how lasting financial habits are built.

With Finley, children practice making real financial decisions in a safe environment while parents remain actively involved. Every purchase, savings goal, and lesson becomes an opportunity to build confidence and develop lifelong skills.


Real debit card

Your child receives their own debit card to safely practice everyday spending. They'll learn how purchases work, check their balance, understand transactions, and make smart decisions using real money.

 

Weekly financial education

Finley includes an age-appropriate financial education curriculum designed specifically for children and teens.
Lessons grow with your child from basic concepts like saving and spending to more advanced topics including budgeting, credit, investing, taxes, insurance, loans, and financial independence.

Each lesson includes:

  • Short videos
  • Interactive quizzes
  • Achievement badges
  • Progressive learning paths

 

Savings goals

Kids can create savings goals and watch their progress grow over time. Whether they're saving for a bike, gaming system, concert tickets, or their first car, Finley helps connect everyday choices with long-term rewards.

 

Chores and allowance

Parents can assign chores, approve completed tasks, and automate allowances. Kids begin connecting work with earning while building responsibility and consistency.
 

Gamified learning

Learning shouldn't feel like homework. Children earn badges, unlock achievements, complete lessons, and level up as they build financial knowledge throughout the program.
 

What Kids Learn

Finley's curriculum grows with your child, introducing new concepts as they become relevant in everyday life.

Banking Basics

  • Checking accounts
  • Savings accounts
  • Debit cards
  • Balances
  • Transactions
  • Deposits
  • Withdrawals

Smart Spending

  • Needs vs. wants
  • Making spending decisions
  • Opportunity cost
  • Comparing prices
  • Tracking purchases

Building healthy money habits

  • Saving & Planning
  • Setting savings goals
  • Budgeting
  • Delayed gratification
  • Emergency savings

Planning for larger purchases

  • Digital Money
  • Online shopping
  • Payment apps
  • Subscriptions
  • Digital safety
  • Protecting personal information
  • Avoiding scams

Growing Financial Skills

  • Credit
  • Loans
  • Interest
  • Investing
  • Insurance
  • Taxes
  • Paychecks
  • Financial responsibility
Every lesson is designed to build confidence through practical, age-appropriate experiences—not lectures.
 
It’s been exciting to watch my 12-year-old grandson take ownership of his finances. What surprised me most was how quickly he started thinking differently about earning and saving money. He’s already planning how much he wants to save versus what he can spend. It’s naturally introduced budgeting and goal setting in a way that’s fun and motivating.

One of his favorite features is his debit card. He was so excited to activate it and loves having the independence to make purchases when he’s out with his mom. It’s helping build confidence, responsibility, and healthy financial habits that will benefit him for years to come.
— Michelle M.
As a parent I like that my son is learning about basic finances in a way that benefits him. My son, who is 12, loves how easy it is for him to get paid for chores that we set up. 
— Greg J.

I recently sat down with my 10-year-old to open a youth account using Finley, and to see his face light up when he was able to pick his own debit card was a joy to see.

I love watching him work on the activities to learn about financial literacy. These are lessons he will live with for a lifetime.

— Shakita H.

Built by Michigan First Credit Union

For a century, Michigan First Credit Union has helped individuals and families build strong financial futures. Finley brings that same commitment to the next generation through safe banking tools, practical financial education, and guidance that grows with your child.

As your family's trusted financial partner, we're here to support every milestone—from a first allowance to a first paycheck and beyond.