Payment company Block is seeking Trump Administration support for accounts on its digital wallet Cash App that would allow for savings and investing for children, an executive said Wednesday at an annual investor day.
The Oakland, California-based firm is working on card and savings services for children between six and 12-years old, along with savings tools for parents of even younger children, said Owen Jennings, Block’s business lead.
“We actually just launched high-yield savings a few weeks ago for the teen population, but we also plan to support accounts for six- to 12-year-olds, with a focus on the card and on savings,” Jennings said during the presentation. “We're also planning to support accounts and balances for those zero to five with a focus on parent saving tools.”
It wasn’t clear whether Jennings meant somehow putting such digital tools in the hands of kids between six and 12-years-old, or simply having accounts in their names managed by their parents. Either way, Jennings noted the company was seeking some sort of federal government permission to work on accounts for kids.
“We're actively working with the Treasury Department and the Trump Administration right now on whether we can leverage Cash App taxes and Cash App investing to make Cash App an easy and obvious place to save for your child’s future,” he said.
Jennings provided few additional details and a Block spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment about these accounts and when those services might be available.
“We believe this is referring to offerings that would be managed by the parents,” Bryan Bergin, an analyst who follows Block for the investment firm TD Cowen, said by email in response to a question on the topic.
Spokespeople for the Treasury Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Millions of teenagers already have accounts with Cash App, Jennings said, and the company has experienced success converting those teens into adult customers.
“We're continuing to invest in this population,” he said of younger users.
Cash App currently lets parents sponsor accounts for children between 13 and 17-years old. Teens can use those accounts to send money to peers, pay for goods and services and open savings accounts under their parents’ supervision.
Cash App’s website says that more than five million teens have accounts with the digital wallet.
The move to younger customers is about helping families save for the future, Jennings said, but he acknowledged that the company also has an eye on nabbing more users.
“This is about two things: expanding access and growing with our customers,” he said.