If you've ever been turned down for a checking account because of past banking issues — such as an account closed due to unpaid overdraft fees — second chance checking could offer you another shot at banking.
» Ready to compare accounts? Skip ahead to our list of banks that offer second chance checking
What is second chance checking?
Serious banking issues can put you on a list held by consumer reporting agency ChexSystems. Banks look at it or similar sources (such as Early Warning Services) before approving new accounts — and having a flawed banking history from bounced checks, unpaid fees or account closures makes it less likely you'll be approved.
» MORE: Learn about which banks don't use ChexSystems
Some banks and credit unions offer "second chance" checking accounts for people in this situation. The accounts can help people rebuild their banking histories, but they don't necessarily have all the services that come with regular checking accounts.
» Looking for other financial accommodations? See NerdWallet’s list of community development financial institutions (CDFIs)
What are the pros and cons of second chance checking?
Second chance checking accounts usually have monthly fees that can't be waived, and they often carry more requirements than standard checking accounts, such as setting up direct deposit or completing a money management class. You typically can't enroll in an overdraft program, since the point of a second chance account is to demonstrate that you can avoid overdrawing.
These checking accounts can help improve banking history, but they don't rebuild credit. For that, consider a secured credit card.
Despite their limitations, second chance checking accounts often beat alternatives, such as prepaid debit cards or check-cashing services, which can come with costly transaction fees and balance requirements, and may lack convenient features such as online banking.
If you can avoid negative balances or fees, many second chance checking accounts let you upgrade to a regular checking account within six months to a year.
» More: Can my bank close my account?
Picking a second chance checking account
The best second chance accounts come with:
Low or no monthly fees.
No minimum balance requirements.
Services such as debit card access, online bill pay and unlimited check writing privileges — for free.
Few limits, such as daily or monthly maximum transaction amounts.
Not all second chance checking accounts have these features. Some charge monthly fees as high as $20 and don't issue debit cards or checks to account holders. Check the fees and requirements before applying.
» Want to improve your banking history? Here are five steps to clear up your ChexSystems record
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National second chance banking
A few banks and financial companies backed by banks offer second chance checking nationwide:
Chime (account name: Chime® Checking, available online). Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Varo (account name: Bank Account, available online).
Wells Fargo (account name: Clear Access Banking, available online and at Wells Fargo branches).
Most major banks don’t offer second chance checking, but many community banks and credit unions have them under various names, such as Opportunity Checking and Fresh Start Checking.
If you can't find an account that works for you in the lists below, see if your community participates in a Bank On program. Many communities have joined this initiative, which enables city governments and local banks to work together to serve individuals trying to get back into the banking system. Another option is to consider a prepaid debit card with robust services and few fees.
» Want to explore another option? Check out our picks for the best prepaid debit cards
Compare second chance checking accounts
GoBank
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Varo
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Regional and state-based second chance checking accounts
Some regional banks and credit unions offer second chance accounts, though customers must often live in certain states or meet other special membership requirements. Here's a list of several such institutions.
Regional bank and credit union accounts
American Airlines Credit Union: Ascend Checking
Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Bank OZK: Freedom Advantage Checking
BOK Financial: Opportunity Banking
Centennial Bank: Opportunity 100 Checking
City National Bank: Bounce Back Checking
Fifth Third Bank: Express Banking
First Financial Bank: NoWorry Checking
Hope Credit Union: Easy Checking (see NerdWallet's review of this credit union)
OneUnited Bank: U2 E-Checking
Simmons Bank: Affordable Advantage Checking
Staley Credit Union: Renew Checking
Woodforest National Bank: Second Chance Checking
Want (or need) an account at a state-based financial institution? Find options by clicking below.
Alabama
Azalea City Credit Union: Opportunity Draft
Family Security Credit Union: Give Me a Break Checking
First National Bank: On Us Account
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union: MyOpportunity Checking
United Bank: Gateway Checking
Alaska
True North Federal Credit Union: True Options
Arizona
Banner Federal Credit Union: Opportunity Checking
Arkansas
Diamond Bank: Encore Checking
Red River Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
River Valley Community Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
California
Befit Financial Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Foothill Credit Union: Rebound Checking
Priority One Credit Union: New Leaf Checking
Colorado
Liberty Savings Bank: Clean Slate Checking
NuVista Federal Credit Union: The Last Chance Checking
Connecticut
Finex Credit Union: Restart Checking
Hartford Federal Credit Union: Take 2 Checking
Tobacco Valley Teachers Federal Credit Union: myChance Checking
Delaware
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for regional and national options.
District of Columbia
No accounts found at financial institutions based here. Check for regional and national options.
Florida
Compass Financial Federal Credit Union: Restart Checking
First American Bank: Fresh Start Checking
First Florida Credit Union: Smart Track Checking
Gold Coast Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Gulf Winds Credit Union: MyOpportunity Checking
JetStream Federal Credit Union: Restart Checking Account
Liberty Savings Bank: Clean Slate Checking
Loyalty Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
McCoy Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Members First Credit Union of Florida: Second Chance Checking
Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union: A New Leaf Checking
Priority Credit Union: Restart Checking
San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union: Checking Rebuilder
South Florida Federal Credit Union: Aspire Checking
United Bank: Gateway Checking
Georgia
Georgia's Own Credit Union: Resolution Checking
Peach State Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Hawaii
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for regional and national options.
Idaho
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for regional and national options.
Illinois
Catholic & Community Credit Union: Rebound Checking
First American Bank: Fresh Start Checking
Marquette Bank: ReStart Checking
Indiana
Centra Credit Union: Opportunity Checking
Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Liberty Federal Credit Union: Opportunity Checking
Horizon Bank: Fresh Start Checking
Regional Federal Credit Union: First Step Checking
Iowa
Collins Community Credit Union: Take2 Checking
Greater Iowa Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
North Iowa Community Credit Union: Fresh Start Debit
Kansas
Central National Bank: New Opportunity Checking
United Consumers Credit Union: Second Chance Checking
Kentucky
The Cecilian Bank: Choice Opportunity Checking
Central Bank: Clean Start Checking
Liberty Federal Credit Union: Opportunity Checking
FNB Bank: Start Again Checking
Hearthside Bank: Square One Checking
Louisiana
Pelican State Credit Union: Horizon Checking
Southwest Louisiana Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Maine
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for regional and national options.
Maryland
Clear Mountain Bank: StartFresh Checking
Market USA Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Security Plus Federal Credit Union: Revive Checking
Massachusetts
Alden Credit Union: No Boundaries Checking
Athol Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Michigan
Horizon Bank: Fresh Start Checking
Marshall Community Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU): Rebuild Checking
Minnesota
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for national options.
Mississippi
Citizens National Bank: CleanSlate Checking
Gulf Coast Community Credit Union: New Chance Checking
Missouri
Columbia Credit Union: Fresh-Start Checking
First State Community Bank: New Opportunity Checking
Health Care Family Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Montgomery Bank: Montgomery New Start Checking
St. Louis Community Credit Union: Freedom Checking
United Consumers Credit Union: Second Chance Checking
United Credit Union: Restore Checking
Wood & Huston Bank: StartFresh Checking
Montana
Clearwater Credit Union: SmartSpend Checking
Nebraska
Central National Bank: New Opportunity Checking
Nevada
Clark County Credit Union: CheckAgain 2nd Chance Checking
WestStar Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
New Hampshire
GFA Federal Credit Union: New Start Checking
New Jersey
Credit Union of New Jersey: Right Turn Checking
United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union: United New Start Checking
New Mexico
Bank of Albuquerque: Opportunity Banking
Lea County State Bank: LCSB Second Chance Checking
New York
Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union: New Beginnings Checking
Alternatives Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Centra Credit Union: Opportunity Checking
Financial Trust Federal Credit Union: 2nd Chance Checking
Fulton Savings Bank: New Opportunity Checking
Genesee Valley Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
North Carolina
Skyla Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Excite Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
North Dakota
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for national options.
Ohio
Buckeye State Credit Union: Empowerment Checking
Eaton Family Credit Union, Inc.: Refresh Checking
Hopewell Federal Credit Union: Rebound Checking
KEMBA Financial Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Members Trust Federal Credit Union: Trust and Alternative Checking
Oklahoma
Allegiance Credit Union: Second Chance Account
Bank of Oklahoma: Opportunity Banking
Citizens Bank of Edmond: Fresh Start Checking
Oklahoma Educators Credit Union (OECU): Fresh Start Checking
TTCU Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Western Sun Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Oregon
Point West Credit Union: VIVA Checking
Pennsylvania
Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU): Green Light Checking
West Branch Valley Federal Credit Union: Back on Track Checking
Rhode Island
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for regional and national options.
South Carolina
Caro Federal Credit Union: Rebound Checking
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union: Encore Checking
HopeSouth Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Market USA Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Peach State Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
South Dakota
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for national options.
Tennessee
First National Bank: On Us Account
Greater Eastern Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Holston Methodist Federal Credit Union: Second Chance Checking
Hearthside Bank: Square One Checking
Select Seven Credit Union: Second Chance Checking
Texas
4U Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Abilene Teachers Federal Credit Union: Restart Checking
Associated Credit Union of Texas: 180 Checking
Bank of Texas: Opportunity Banking
Baptist Credit Union: Draft Builder Checking
Chocolate Bayou Credit Union: Clean Slate Checking
Diamond Bank: Encore Checking
First Service Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Kelly Community Federal Credit Union: $mart Choice Checking
MemberSource Credit Union: Select Checking
Members Trust of the Southwest Federal Credit Union: New Start Checking
Memorial Credit Union: New Path Checking
Neighborhood Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
East Texas Professional Credit Union: Priority Checking
Peoples Bank: Second Chance Checking
Prestige Community Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Red River Employees Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Select Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Southside Bank: Next Checking
Tarrant County's Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Unity One Credit Union: Clean Start Checking
Utah
American United Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Cyprus Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Vermont
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for national options.
Virginia
Central Virginia Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Healthcare Systems Federal Credit Union: Renew Checking
Member One Federal Credit Union: Encore Checking
Washington
MountainCrest Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
West Virginia
Clear Mountain Bank: StartFresh Checking
West Virginia Federal Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Wisconsin
Brewery Credit Union: Fresh Start Checking
Crossbridge Community Bank: Fresh Start Checking
Wyoming
No accounts found at state-based financial institutions. Check for national options.
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