14 Banking Internships for High School Students
If you are aiming for a future in banking, finance, accounting, fintech, or economics, practical experience can help you test your interests before choosing a college major or career path.
What do banking internships for high school students involve?
Banking internships for high school students can also help you build communication, Excel, research, customer service, and analytical skills that are useful across many business careers. Just as importantly, these programs can expose you to mentors, workplace expectations, and professional settings that are hard to understand from coursework alone.
Why pursue a banking internship in high school?
This list focuses on U.S.-based banking internships for high school students, along with closely related finance, accounting, and business programs that can help you understand the industry from different angles. Even if a program isn't a traditional bank placement, understanding how organizations budget, price, and manage money builds skills that translate directly to finance careers.
If you are still exploring related options, check out our guides on finance workshops for high school students and investment and trading programs for high school students.
Quick Look
9 paid internships: TIP at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Research Intern position, Ladders for Leaders, Chicago Summer Business Institute, and several others.
1 fully virtual, entrepreneurship-focused option: Young Founders Lab, useful if you're drawn to the financial decision-making side of banking (pricing, revenue, business models) rather than a traditional bank placement.
4 programs tied to a specific school pathway (NAF): Academy of Finance Internships and National Partner Internship Programs, both requiring enrollment in a participating NAF academy.
1 apprenticeship-style, multi-year program: the Youth Apprenticeship Program through CareerWise, which can continue while you're still in school.
Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars in Finance is the only virtual, mentorship-based option that isn't a traditional internship, running biweekly over five months.
14 Banking Internships for High School Students
1. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Summer, with possible year-round extension
Application Deadline: Typically late winter through the Boston Private Industry Council
Eligibility: Income-eligible Greater Boston high school students, typically Boston Public Schools students who have completed sophomore year
The Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program gives you paid work experience inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. You may be placed across different Bank departments, which can help you see how economic research, banking operations, communications, and community development connect. The program also includes job coaching and skill-building workshops, so you are not only completing tasks but also learning how to operate in a professional environment. A standout feature is that strong summer participants may continue part-time during the school year. This is one of the more directly relevant banking internships for high school students if you are interested in economics, financial systems, or public-sector finance.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost/Stipend: $2,900; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; exact cohort size not specified
Program Dates: 4-week program starting tentatively June 5
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March; Regular Admission 1: April; Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is a startup bootcamp where you build a revenue-generating venture that addresses a real-world problem. While it is not a traditional bank internship, it can be useful if you are interested in entrepreneurship, fintech, business strategy, or the financial side of building a company. You work through business fundamentals, ideation, market research, workshops, case studies, and panel discussions. You also receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals with experience at companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. If you want banking internships for high school students because you are interested in business models, revenue, and financial decision-making, this program gives you a structured way to build those skills.
3. Summer Internship Program – Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Summer; typically 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago high school students; specific grade and academic requirements may vary by cycle
The Chicago Summer Business Institute was created to provide paid summer internships for Chicago high school students and introduce them to the financial services sector. You may be placed with banks, law firms, accounting firms, engineering firms, or other business organizations in Chicago’s commercial districts. Alongside the work placement, you participate in seminars and workshops that introduce you to financial markets, workplace expectations, and professional communication. The program can be especially useful if you want a business internship with direct exposure to financial institutions. Among banking internships for high school students, this one stands out for combining paid workplace experience with structured business education.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote; work from anywhere
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; typically 8–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder Internship Program matches you with a startup for a remote internship project. Depending on the company and role, you may work on market research, business development, data analysis, operations, marketing, or product-related tasks. For banking-related interests, you can look for startups in fintech, consulting, AI, financial tools, or business services. You work with a manager and a Ladder Coach, then present your final work to the company. This program is not limited to banking, so you should confirm whether finance or fintech placements are available before applying.
5. High School Internship Program – Urban Alliance
Location: Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Detroit
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by city
Program Dates: Typically 9 months, including training and internship placement
Application Deadline: Varies by city and school partner
Eligibility: High school seniors in participating Urban Alliance cities; 11th-grade readiness programming may also be available
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program combines workforce training, paid internships, mentoring, and one-on-one support. In Chicago, Urban Alliance has identified banking and finance as focus industries, with partners including Bank of America and KPMG. You begin with professional development, then move into a workplace placement, which helps you build skills before taking on employer-facing responsibilities. The program is designed for students who may not otherwise have access to professional networks or paid internships. This can be a strong option if you want banking internships for high school students but need a program that also teaches workplace readiness from the ground up.
6. High School Research Intern – Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $17/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: September–May
Application Deadline: June 28
Eligibility: Current high school students with completed, ongoing, or demonstrated interest in economics coursework
The High School Research Intern position at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis gives you direct exposure to economic research inside a Federal Reserve Bank. You assist a research economist with tasks such as statistical analysis, literature reviews, library research, and data entry. You also learn about ongoing economic research at the Bank and may engage with economists through seminars and workplace activities. This internship is especially relevant if you are looking for banking internships for high school students that connect finance, economics, public policy, and data analysis. Application materials include a resume, unofficial academic transcript, and cover letter.
7. Ladders for Leaders
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; at least New York State minimum wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; PENCIL typically places hundreds of interns
Program Dates: July–August; at least 150 hours of work
Application Deadline: Not specified; summer application may close before spring
Eligibility: NYC students ages 16–24, enrolled in high school or college; no GPA requirement through PENCIL
Ladders for Leaders offers paid six-week summer internships with corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies across New York City. You complete pre-employment training before becoming eligible for placement, which helps you prepare for interviews, workplace communication, and professional expectations. Placement is based on employer needs and your skills, so a finance or banking placement is not guaranteed. However, the program’s employer network can make it relevant if you are exploring banking, accounting, business operations, or financial services. If you are based in NYC, this is one of the broader paid options to consider when researching banking internships for high school students.
8. High School Internship Program – Genesys Works
Location: Multiple U.S. locations, including Chicago, Houston, Twin Cities, Bay Area, New York City, and other regions
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by location
Program Dates: Skills training followed by a paid year-long internship
Application Deadline: Varies by city
Eligibility: High school students in participating schools and regional programs, usually students from underserved communities
Genesys Works provides professional skills training, paid internships, college and career coaching, and alumni support. Many placements focus on business technology, operations, and corporate support roles, but financial services and credit union partners have also been part of the organization’s employer network. You begin with training in professional and technical skills before entering a paid internship with a partner company. During the internship, you work with adult supervisors and mentors while also receiving coaching on college and career planning. This is a strong fit if you want early corporate experience and are open to banking-adjacent roles in technology, operations, or business support.
9. High School Internship Program – CLA
Location: Multiple CLA offices across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by office
Program Dates: Each June; exact end date varies
Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed; future deadlines not specified
Eligibility: High school students; exact age, grade, and location requirements vary by office
The CLA High School Internship Program introduces you to accounting, tax, wealth advisory, digital, and consulting work. You may support real projects, observe professionals, and learn how financial information is used to serve businesses, families, and communities. While this is not a bank internship, it is closely connected to the financial services skills used in banking, wealth management, and corporate finance. The program can help you understand professional services before you commit to a business or accounting pathway in college. This is useful if you are comparing banking internships for high school students with accounting or advisory internships that build similar analytical skills.
10. Empower High School Experience – KPMG U.S. Foundation and KPMG
Location: Multiple regional KPMG markets
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; inaugural program included 177 participants across 11 regional markets
Program Dates: Approximately 3.5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; often connected through partner organizations such as NAF, Junior Achievement, Cristo Rey Network, and other nonprofits
The KPMG Empower High School Experience introduces you to public accounting and professional services through a paid high school internship. You learn about careers connected to audit, tax, advisory, business operations, and financial reporting. The program is especially relevant if you are interested in how companies are evaluated, how financial data is reviewed, or how professional services firms support banks and businesses. KPMG volunteers and partner organizations help provide career insight and workplace exposure. If you are interested in banking, this experience can help you build a foundation in accounting and financial analysis.
11. Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars in Finance – LEADing for Life and Morgan Stanley
Location: Virtual, with possible in-person capstone opportunities
Cost/Stipend: Cost not specified; stipend not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: November–April
Application Deadline: Applications open in early fall
Eligibility: High school seniors interested in finance
Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars in Finance is a five-month virtual finance program for high school seniors. It is not described as a traditional internship, but it offers structured exposure to finance through biweekly sessions taught by Morgan Stanley employees. You study topics such as finance, entrepreneurship, wealth building, financial literacy, career development, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The program ends with a capstone competition where you apply what you learned to a real-world case study. This is a useful banking-adjacent option if you want mentorship and finance exposure but cannot access a formal bank internship.
12. Academy of Finance Internships – NAF
Location: NAF Academies of Finance nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Often paid; details vary by academy and employer partner
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Depends on your school and local employer partners
Program Dates: Varies by school and internship placement
Application Deadline: Varies by academy
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a participating NAF Academy of Finance or eligible NAF program
NAF Academy of Finance connects high school students to finance careers through coursework, work-based learning, mentorship, and internships. You may study finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, insurance, economics, and related business topics before applying those skills in a workplace setting. Internship options vary because they depend on your local academy, employer partners, and NAFTrack requirements. Some placements may connect directly to banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, public agencies, or corporate finance teams. If your school has a NAF Academy of Finance, this may be one of the most practical pathways into banking internships for high school students.
13. National Partner Internship Programs – NAF
Location: Varies by national partner and student location
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; completing the eligibility form does not guarantee placement
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Varies by partner program
Eligibility: NAF academy students making progress toward NAFTrack Certification, recommended by academy staff, with work authorization in the U.S.
NAF National Partner Internship Programs give eligible NAF students access to paid internships with national corporate partners. You must be recommended by your academy, complete an eligibility form, submit a resume, and meet work authorization requirements. These internships are designed to meet NAFTrack Certification requirements, so they usually include structured work expectations and employer evaluation. Depending on the partner, you may work in business, finance, technology, accounting, or operations. This is worth exploring if you are already in a NAF academy and want a paid internship connected to business or financial services.
14. Youth Apprenticeship Program
Location: CareerWise regions, including Colorado, New York, Washington, D.C., Elkhart, and Greater Buffalo
Cost/Stipend: Paid apprenticeship; exact wages vary by employer and region
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by local program and employer
Program Dates: Multi-year apprenticeship model; timing varies by region
Application Deadline: Varies by local program
Eligibility: Typically high school students ages 16 and older in participating schools or regions
CareerWise offers a youth apprenticeship model where you earn while you learn and work with participating employers. Some financial institutions participate; for example, CareerWise has highlighted youth apprentices at Vectra Bank who learned about finance, banking, problem-solving, and workplace operations. Your exact role depends on your region, school, and employer match, so you should check whether banking or financial services placements are available locally. The apprenticeship model can be more intensive than a short summer internship because it may continue while you are in school.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there paid banking internships for high school students?
Yes. TIP at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Research Intern role, and Ladders for Leaders in NYC all offer paid positions, along with several regional programs like the Chicago Summer Business Institute.
2. Is there an option focused on the financial side of building a business rather than working at an existing bank?
Young Founders Lab lets you build a real, revenue-generating startup while thinking through pricing, costs, and revenue strategy, giving you hands-on exposure to financial decision-making even though it's not a traditional bank internship.
3. Which programs are tied to a specific school pathway rather than open application?
NAF's Academy of Finance Internships and National Partner Internship Programs both require enrollment in a participating NAF Academy of Finance, so availability depends on whether your school offers one.