Crediful is committed to helping you make smarter financial decisions by presenting you with the best information possible. We are able to present this information to you free of charge because some of the companies featured on our site compensate us.
Compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including the order in which they may appear within listing categories.
While Crediful does not feature every company, financial product, or offer available, we are proud that the information, reviews, guides, and other tools found on our site are entirely objective and available to you free of charge.
Our #1 priority is you, our reader. We will never ever recommend a product or service that we wouldn’t use ourselves. Our reviews are based on independent research.
What does this mean for you? It’s simple: we will never steer you in the wrong direction just because a company offers to pay us.
Struggling to open a bank account because of bad credit or past banking issues? Many banks rely on ChexSystems and credit reports to screen applicants, making it difficult to qualify if you’ve had overdrafts, unpaid fees, or account closures. But not all banks follow these strict rules—some offer second chance accounts or don’t check your banking history at all.
18 Best Bank Accounts for Bad Credit
Here’s a look at the best bank accounts for bad credit, including options with no ChexSystems, low fees, and easy approval.
Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through May 6, 2025. Member FDIC.
Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.
When you open a Bank Smartly Checking account, you can enroll in Smart Rewards to enjoy bigger savings and fewer fees.
The account includes a free debit card that can be locked or unlocked if ever misplaced or stolen. There are no ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs and no surcharge fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass® Network ATMs.
The checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $6.95 monthly fee. This fee can be waived for those 24 and under, 65 and over, or military members (must self-disclose).
Additionally, the fee can be waived with monthly deposits of $1,000+, an average balance of $1,500+, or holding an eligible U.S. Bank credit card. Qualifying for any Smart Rewards® tier (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle) also waives the fee.
*U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint. Member FDIC.
With the SoFi Checking and Savings account, you won’t have to worry about monthly fees or overdraft fees.
For a limited time, customers can earn a bonus of up to $300 when they make qualifying direct deposits. This is in addition to the access SoFi provides to more than 55,000 Allpoint® Network ATMs.
You can also enjoy the convenience of receiving your paycheck up to 2 days in advance with SoFi’s early direct deposit feature.
SoFi stands out with its competitive annual percentage yield (APY) – up to 3.80% on savings and 0.50% on checking balances, all with direct deposits. There’s no minimum direct deposit amount necessary to qualify for these rates.
There’s no ChexSystems or credit check, making it a solid option for those with bad credit or past banking issues.
Earn 2% cash back on common everyday purchases and 1% on everything else, with no limits. The account also provides free access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs and early direct deposit for faster access to your paycheck.
There are no overdraft fees or hidden charges, but cash deposits aren’t accepted, and an active direct deposit is required to qualify for the highest cash back rewards.
Current is a fintech company that offers mobile banking with no credit check or ChexSystems screening.
Unlike traditional banks, it allows you to build credit by using your debit card for everyday purchases—no borrowing required.
The Current app includes fee-free overdraft protection up to $100, access to 40,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs, and no minimum balance or hidden fees.
You can also earn up to 4.00% APY on savings, get paid up to two days early with direct deposit, and earn up to 15x points with cashback on debit purchases.
With Chime®, a bad credit score is no longer a deal-breaker. They offer an award-winning financial app and debit card with 24/7 live support, with a real human.
You can open a Chime Checking Account online with no monthly fees. There are also no overdraft fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no transfer fees.
Chime also offers access to over 60,000 MoneyPass® and Visa® Plus Alliance ATMs. Plus, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit. You can also deposit cash for free at over 8,500 Walgreens.
GO2bank offers a checking account with savings subaccounts called vaults. There’s no minimum balance required to open an account online.
Earn 4.50% APY on savings up to $5,000, deposit cash at 90,000 retail locations, and access 19,000 fee-free ATMs.
The mobile app includes mobile check deposit, early direct deposit (up to two days for paychecks and four days for government benefits), and overdraft protection up to $200 with eligible deposits.
For those looking to build credit, the GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card offers a responsible way to improve your score. The $5 monthly fee is waived with a payroll or government direct deposit in the previous statement period.
No monthly fee with direct deposits of $500 or more
Earn up to 3% cash back on purchases
Overdraft protection covering up to $200 with eligible direct deposits
2.00% APY on savings
The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid debit card that works like a checking account, offering cash back rewards and early direct deposit.
Earn up to 3% cash back at Walmart.com, 2% at Walmart fuel stations, and 1% in stores (up to $75 per year).
With eligible direct deposits, you can get paid up to two days early and access up to $200 in overdraft protection.
The card also offers 2.00% APY on savings and monthly chances to win cash prizes. The $5.94 monthly fee is waived with direct deposits of $500 or more in the previous statement period.
If you are an active-duty or retired member of the military, including the Armed Forces, National Guard, Coast Guard, or Department of Defense, you may be eligible for Navy Federal Credit Union membership.
Navy Federal doesn’t use ChexSystems or EWS. They also offer a number of free checking accounts with no monthly service fees for those with qualifying direct deposits.
Additionally, NFCU offers its members convenient access to over 30,000 ATMs situated at both credit unions and retail locations across the United States and Canada through the CO-OP Network.
It offers up to 3.00% APY on all savings balances—higher than many traditional and online banks.
With access to over 30,000 fee-free CO-OP network ATMs, you can withdraw cash conveniently nationwide. The account also includes real-time fraud monitoring and free overdraft transfers for added financial security.
All deposits are federally insured by the NCUA, ensuring your money is protected.
The TD Beyond Checking account offers multiple ways to waive its $25 monthly fee—maintain a $2,500 daily balance, receive $5,000 in direct deposits, or hold $25,000 across TD accounts.
The account includes access to over 4,000 free ATMs, two overdraft fee reversals per year, and the ability to earn interest on your balance.
It’s a solid option for those who want fee flexibility, ATM access, and occasional overdraft protection.
Southwest Financial offers a range of bank accounts including savings accounts, CDs, and checking accounts to its members.
Several checking accounts have no monthly fees. They come with features like mobile check deposit, online bill pay, overdraft protection, and more.
Opening an account is easy and does not require a minimum deposit. As a member of Southwest Financial, you enjoy the convenience of accessing your funds through a network of 55,000 ATMs that don’t charge fees.
Wells Fargo’s Clear Access Banking offers a practical, accessible second chance bank account designed to suit various banking needs.
While there is a $5 monthly service fee for this checking account, the fee is waived for primary account owners aged 13 to 24.
With a minimal opening deposit of just $25, setting up Clear Access Banking is straightforward and affordable.
As an account holder, you’ll have the convenience of accessing your funds through Wells Fargo’s extensive network of 13,000 ATMs and 5,300 branches across the country.
Cadence Bank offers the My Way Checking account, which is designed as an alternative to ChexSystems. To get started, you only need a $50 initial deposit.
The $8 monthly fee can be easily avoided by: maintaining a $250 daily balance, making five debit card purchases, receiving a direct deposit of at least $100, or being a student under 25.
Among the key features are online banking and bill pay, compatibility with mobile wallets, and 24/7 account information via a dedicated helpline.
While online statements are available for free, those who prefer paper statements will be charged a $2 fee. With these offerings, Cadence Bank presents itself as a versatile banking option.
United Bank has locations in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.
You can open a new account with a $50 minimum initial deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement or monthly maintenance fee.
You can also upgrade to the Rewards Checking account, which allows you to earn cashback rewards. You also get discounts on movies, theme parks, and prescriptions.
The monthly service charge is $10, but you can have it waived if you reach 15 purchase transactions monthly or have a minimum of $500 in regular deposits.
Huntington has locations in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Huntington Bank uses ChexSystems, but you can still qualify for a checking account as long as you don’t owe the bank any money. However, applicants with an EWS record may not qualify.
For Huntington’s popular Asterisk-Free Checking account, there is no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum deposit, and no minimum balance requirement.
Varo is an online-only bank that offers a hassle-free banking experience with no monthly fees. As a Varo customer, you can get access to your paycheck up to two days early.
Additionally, Varo provides a Varo Believe Card, which allows you to build credit, access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs, and free paper check mailing services.
With the Varo savings account, you can qualify for up to 5.00% APY on deposits of up to $5,000, and 3.00% APY on any amount above that.
You’ll need a minimum deposit of $50 to open a Regions Now Checking at Regions Bank. This checking account doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles.
However, it’s a suitable option for anyone with a bad credit score who wants a basic checking account.
Regions Bank will lower your monthly maintenance fee from $8 to $5 if you sign up for online statements. And you’ll have the option to open a savings account through Regions Bank as well.
What is a bank account for bad credit?
A bank account for bad credit is tailored for individuals with an unfavorable banking history, often denied by traditional banks due to issues like bounced checks, overdrafts, and unpaid negative balances.
Bad credit bank accounts, provided by some financial institutions, include essential services such as debit cards, online and mobile banking, and check-writing abilities. Key advantages of these accounts are their ease of opening, low fees, and no credit checks or ChexSystems reports.
How Banks Evaluate New Account Applications
When applying for a bank account, banks have specific criteria to decide eligibility and the type of account offered. Your ChexSystems report provides them with an important insight into your banking history. This report contains details of past banking behaviors like unpaid balances, overdrafts, and any fraudulent activities associated with closed accounts.
A negative ChexSystems record can complicate account opening, leading to potential application rejection or restricted account types. Additionally, while some banks may review your credit history from major credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, they primarily rely on ChexSystems for bank account applications, unlike credit card issuers and lenders who focus more on your credit report.
What is ChexSystems?
ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency used by banks to screen customers. It records your past banking activities, including overdrafts, bounced checks, unpaid fees, and negative balances. A negative record in ChexSystems can impact your ability to open a new bank account.
Some banks simply do not use ChexSystems as part of the application process. These banks offer no-credit-check bank accounts for people with bad credit or a negative banking history.
The good news is that these checking and savings accounts come with the same features as regular bank accounts offered to everyone else. You can expect to have access to online banking, debit cards, bill pay, and mobile deposit features, allowing for convenient management of your finances just like any traditional bank account.
Second Chance Bank Account
Second chance bank accounts offer individuals with a problematic banking history an opportunity for financial rebuilding. While these accounts, also known as opportunity checking or fresh start checking accounts, may involve a credit check or ChexSystems review, the focus is on giving the customer a new beginning.
They typically include a monthly maintenance fee. Similar to regular bank accounts, overdraft protection, mobile check deposit, and online bill pay are often available. Responsible use of a second chance checking account can lead to an upgrade to a standard checking account.
What to Look for in a Bad Credit Checking Account
If you’ve been denied a bank account due to past overdrafts or unpaid fees, finding the right account can help you regain financial stability. Here’s what to look for:
No credit checks – Some banks don’t use ChexSystems or run credit checks, making approval easier if you’ve had banking issues.
Low or no fees – Look for accounts with no monthly fees or ones that can be waived with direct deposits or minimum balances.
Overdraft protection – Some banks offer fee-free overdraft coverage or options like linked accounts or small-dollar loans to prevent expensive fees.
ATM access – A large fee-free ATM network ensures you won’t pay extra to withdraw cash when needed.
Mobile banking features – Online bill pay, mobile check deposit, and instant transfers make managing your money easier.
FDIC or NCUA insurance – Make sure your account is insured to protect your deposits in case the bank or credit union fails.
Bottom Line
Bad credit doesn’t have to keep you from getting a bank account. Many banks offer second chance or no-credit-check accounts with features similar to traditional checking. Choose an account that fits your needs, and start rebuilding your financial standing today.
If ChexSystems is holding you back, we also show you how to get out of ChexSystems so you can qualify for a bank account anywhere.
Crediful is dedicated to making personal finance simple. Our team of experts provides clear, practical advice on budgeting, credit, saving, investing, and more to help you make smart financial decisions.
