Bank internships are a great way for high school students to get a real feel for how financial institutions actually operate. You’ll see firsthand how everything works, from helping customers and analyzing credit to using data to manage risk. Beyond just learning theory from your economics or math classes, these programs give you practical, hands-on experience in a professional business setting. You’ll pick up skills that matter, like financial modeling, working with Excel, analyzing numbers, and communicating effectively in a workplace.
Why should I apply for an internship as a bank?
If you’re curious about finance, banking is a great way to see how money flows and how decisions are made. Many cities, especially big metropolitan areas, offer programs through local banks, credit unions, and youth initiatives that connect students with industry professionals. Whether it’s a paid internship at a community bank or a virtual mentorship with financial analysts, these opportunities give you a chance to understand economic systems in action and see how your research and quantitative skills can make a real impact.
Below, we have listed 14 bank internships for high school students to help you make an informed decision.
14 Bank Internships for High School Students
1. J.P. Morgan Smart Start Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship with a full college scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 yearly scholarships
Dates: 4 years throughout college
Application Deadline: January (Tentative)
Eligibility: Graduating seniors in New York City who have been accepted to one of the participating NYC colleges, who have a minimum GPA of around 90, and are U.S. citizens with legal work authorization
For motivated students aiming for a lasting career in corporate finance, the J.P. Morgan Smart Start Program is an outstanding opportunity. This initiative pairs a robust, four-year college scholarship with a compensated internship experience. You gain extensive exposure to the financial services sector through departmental rotations, including key areas like commercial banking, operations, and risk management. The internship structure allows students to work full-time during the summer and part-time throughout the academic year. A crucial element of the program is its emphasis on mentorship, which is designed to cultivate long-term professional networks and skills.
2. Goldman Sachs High School Summer Internship
Location: Various cities where Goldman Sachs has offices | Some virtual programs
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 50 – 100 interns
Dates: 5 – 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, early winter or late fall
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Goldman Sachs High School Summer Internship presents an exciting chance for juniors and seniors in high school to explore the essentials of finance and business. You gain insight into areas such as wealth management, investment banking, financial planning, and risk assessment. Throughout the internship, you engage in activities including developing financial models, participating in interactive workshops, attending networking events, and competing in case study challenges. This program sharpens vital skills like analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication, while offering a broad understanding of financial markets and industry operations through practical experience and mentorship from seasoned professionals.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations + Washington, D.C. (Summit)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; includes stipend and travel expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 students nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer, including the Student Leaders Summit (July 21 – 26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are first-time applicants and legally authorized to work in the U.S. | Reside in an eligible location and be in good academic standing
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program integrates applied economics, social finance, and policy engagement. Over eight weeks, you’ll analyze how funding and resource allocation influence nonprofit operations, working directly with budgeting, grant evaluation, and data tracking. The experience emphasizes financial decision-making in civic and community contexts rather than commercial banking.
4. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – High School Research Internship
Location: Atlanta, Georgia (on-site)
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small research cohort
Dates: September – May (Academic Year)
Application Deadline: June 21
Eligibility: High school students who have completed or are enrolled in economics coursework | Candidates who can demonstrate work in progress towards a high school diploma
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta High School Research Internship is a program designed for current high school students interested in economics. The internship provides exposure to the field of economics and helps students acquire technical skills and economics research training to prepare them for post-high school studies in economics. You’ll assist economists with quantitative research, literature reviews, and database management focused on regional and national economic indicators. You will gain experience using analytical tools and statistical software to interpret datasets that inform monetary policy.
5. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Program – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (hybrid)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between July – August
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools students who have completed sophomore year
The TIP Program integrates financial operations, technology, and economic education through project-based training at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. You’ll work on department projects involving financial literacy, database management, and basic economic analysis while receiving structured mentorship. Training modules include communication, data handling, and digital literacy essential for careers in finance and research. Students demonstrating strong technical and organizational skills may continue into extended placements during the academic year, gaining sustained exposure to institutional finance and economic systems. The program also involves skill-building sessions and emphasizes networking, community involvement, and teamwork.
6. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis – High School Research Intern
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (in-person)
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25 interns
Dates: September – May (Academic Year)
Application Deadline: July 6
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed or are enrolled in economics coursework | Candidates who can demonstrate work in progress towards a high school diploma
This internship introduces students to empirical economics within a professional research setting. Under the supervision of a Federal Reserve economist, you’ll contribute to projects involving statistical analysis, literature synthesis, and dataset management. Tasks may include cleaning economic data, summarizing academic papers, and supporting model-based research. The position requires 6–10 hours per week, allowing you to apply quantitative reasoning and data literacy alongside your coursework. Through seminars and departmental meetings, you’ll gain insight into how economic research informs monetary policy and regional financial trends.
7. High School Fed Challenge – Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Location: Virtual and New York, NY (regional submissions and presentations)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; 3 – 8 student members per team
Dates: October 23 – March 16, inclusive of important milestones such as two information sessions and paper submission
Application Deadline: February 17; teams must register through a faculty advisor
Eligibility: All U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–12
The High School Fed Challenge is a research-based economics competition that simulates the analytical work of Federal Reserve economists. Teams conduct macroeconomic research, identify policy issues, and produce an academic paper analyzing an assigned theme such as inflation or labor market dynamics. You’ll apply data interpretation, economic modeling, and critical reasoning to craft evidence-based policy arguments. The process strengthens your understanding of monetary policy, empirical analysis, and academic writing conventions. Finalists present findings to economists at the New York Fed, gaining practical insight into how research informs national economic decisions.
8. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount varies and is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 125 students yearly
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors in Chicago | GPA of “B” or 3.0+ | Family income below $80,000
The Career Skills and Business Institute (CSBI) facilitates a remunerated, six-week professional placement designed to familiarize participants with vocations in commerce, fiscal management, and auditing. You are deployed to affiliated enterprises, which include capital investment firms, municipal finance divisions, and management consultancy agencies. Throughout the duration, you engage in specialized seminars, professional networking events, and instructional workshops concentrating on professional preparedness and economic acumen. A core component of the program is the provision of mentorship and constructive professional evaluations to enhance your interpersonal skills and analytical aptitude.
9. BMO Harris Bank – High School Finance Internship
Location: Chicago, IL or Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; <15 students per location
Dates: June – August (6- to 10-weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The BMO Finance Initiative for High Schoolers is structured to offer participants an early look into potential careers within the banking and financial services sector. You learn core banking functionalities, including the mechanics of credit evaluation, operational procedures, and how institutions approach community-focused financing. You will work alongside various finance groups, engage in tailored professional growth workshops, and gain insight into the role banks play in supporting local enterprises. Day-to-day duties involve tasks such as inputting financial data, generating necessary reports, and assisting with initiatives focused on client relations. Furthermore, you attend lectures featuring BMO senior leaders and recent university graduates to obtain practical perspectives on career trajectories.
10. Capital One Branch High School Intern
Location: Capital One in-school bank branches at select high schools
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small cohorts
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified; students typically apply through their high school’s partnership with Capital One or during a school-based selection process
Eligibility: High school student at a participating high school
The Capital One Branch High School Intern program, also known as the Student Bankers program, provides high school students with the unique opportunity to work in bank branches managed by students within select high schools. The program includes workshops on financial education that focus on money management, life skills, and preparation for college, including a comprehensive week-long college development course. You receive formal teller training at a Capital One training center, gaining practical experience by serving as a teller to your school community.
11. KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend ranges $20 – $25 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; about 18 – 20 interns per city
Dates: 3 weeks in Summer (Typically, July)
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors residing within commuting distance of a KPMG office
KPMG, a major global professional services organization, offers the Empower High School Experience, a distinctive three-week immersion program for high school students. This initiative is structured to introduce participants to the core areas of accounting, auditing, and advisory services. Through comprehensive workshops, you gain exposure to fundamental financial principles, client relationship management, and practical consulting methods. You work closely with professional mentors to analyze and resolve case studies, thereby understanding how accountants utilize data to inform critical business judgments. The program also involves networking events and dedicated career discussions.
12. J.P. Morgan – High School Internship Program
Location: Major U.S. cities where JPMorgan Chase operates out of
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified and varies based on program and location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 10 – 50 students per program
Dates: Six to ten weeks between May and August
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Minimum 3.0 GPA | Between 16 – 18 years old, depending on the internship’s requirements
The J.P. Morgan High School Internship Program offers a highly competitive summer experience designed to immerse high school students in the financial services industry. You join one of the world’s foremost financial institutions, contributing to market research, client reporting, and financial modeling projects, while gaining insight into the process of major investment transactions. Through workshops and networking opportunities, you gain a close-up perspective of the finance world. The program pairs you with mentors who provide valuable feedback and career guidance. By the internship’s end, you will have a clear understanding of how analytical abilities, communication skills, and business acumen converge within investment banking.
13. Fidelity Investments Asset Management High School Summer Internship
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, limited cohort sizes
Dates: 5 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12
This rigorous five-week summer program offers high school students direct exposure to the world of asset management and investment analysis. You gain hands-on experience through projects that simulate real-world investment decisions and client scenarios, guided by Fidelity professionals. The curriculum focuses on critical financial concepts such as portfolio management, risk assessment, and financial modeling. You benefit from mentorship and feedback sessions designed to deepen your understanding of market dynamics and economic trends. Additionally, attending career talks on finance and investment strategy makes this an exceptional introductory experience to capital markets and financial planning for those considering a finance career.
14. Wells Fargo High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations throughout the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, varies by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by program and location
Eligibility: High school senior girls pursuing business or STEM fields
The Wells Fargo High School Internship Program offers high school juniors and seniors a valuable opportunity to gain practical work experience in a professional banking setting while continuing their education. You engage in meaningful project work combined with educational sessions focusing on financial services and risk management. You shadow experienced employees, attend workshops to build professional skills, and receive ongoing feedback from dedicated mentors. The program also involves an end-of-internship presentation that allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like finance, economics, and related fields, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Capital One