Open a Girl Scout Bank Account
POLICY
All troops, groups, and service units that handle $25 or more are required to have a Girl Scout checking
account.
By opening a troop or service unit bank account, you are establishing a financial resource with which to set
and achieve goals! Girl Scout troop leaders or those designated as the troop treasurers are “responsible for
overseeing with honesty, integrity, and careful record-keeping the funds that girls raise.”
All Girl Scout bank accounts must follow the policies and procedures set forth by Girl Scouts Western
Pennsylvania, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the state of Pennsylvania, and comply with all federal
regulations. All Girl Scout bank accounts operate under Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania’s EIN, 25-
1126094.
Have questions about Annual Finance Reports? Learn more on our website.
Need to change signers? Please see Make Changes to a Girl Scout Bank Account.
PROCEDURE:
Follow these steps to open your bank account:
1. Identify the signers.
a. For troops: two signers from the troop and one from the service unit.
b. For service units: two signers from the service unit team.
c. Each authorized signer must have:
i. a current Girl Scout membership,
ii. volunteer eligibility with no financial restrictions,
iii. completed the Managing Finances training in gsLearn, and
iv. no outstanding balance from either product program.
d. Signers may not be related or residing in the same household.
e. Notify all signers that you will be opening a bank account.
2. Select a bank.
a. Look for a bank that offers a no-fee checking account for non-profit organizations.
b. Contact the bank to request information about their banking requirements and to determine
any specific requirements the bank may have. Ask if all signers must be present when
opening the account.
3. Request a bank letter by completing the Troop or Service Unit Bank Account Form.
a. This request will be processed by a staff person.
b. All required documentation will be delivered by email.
c. Please allow up to one week for processing.
4. Open a Girl Scout bank account.
a. Take all required documents to the bank to set up the account.
i. Banks may request that all signers be present.
ii. Banks may request additional information.
b. Troops may only have one checking account. Service units may have a general account and
a day camp account.
c. Troops may request one debit card.
i. The volunteer named on the debit card is the only authorized user of the debit card
and assumes responsibility for all purchases made with the card.
ii. Additional debit cards must be returned to the bank.
iii. Debit cards are not required.
5. Once the account is opened, submit the Bank Account Information and ACH Authorization form.
