Darlington Building Society has found a way of helping disadvantaged young people on to the savings ladder.
It has teamed up with Connexions Tees Valley to design an account - the first of its kind in the country- which will help young people take control of their finances.
The Connexions Purple Account is aimed at young people who are in receipt of the Connexions Learning Allowance.
It has been developed to ensure young people are not disadvantaged because they do not have a bank account.
Some of the young people receiving the Learning Allowance include asylum seekers, young people in receipt of Income Support or others who have recently left the care system.
Peter Rowley, chief executive of Darlington Building Society, said: "Darlington Building Society is dedicated to looking after local interests and we feel this includes helping as many young people as possible benefit from membership of a mainstream financial institution."
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