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10 Bank Accounts for Bad Credit – Dump your prepaid card

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Bank accounts for bad credit will give you a fresh start.

Bank accounts for bad credit can get you back to banking the traditional way. Bad credit can have far-reaching consequences, even on your ability to open a bank account. Conducting daily financial transactions without a bank account can be inconvenient, unsafe and costly.

There’s no reason to pay checking cashing or prepaid debit card fees when bank accounts for bad credit are available throughout the U.S. Open a checking account for bad credit to save on prepaid debit card, money order, money-loading and check cashing fees.

Unpaid overdrafts are often the reason people end up with a ChexSystems or EWS record. But overdrafts can cause bad credit too. An outstanding checking account balance may be sent to a collection agency.

Once that happens, the debt may get listed on your credit reports. Collection accounts generally remain on credit reports for 7 years (whether it’s paid or not).

If you owe an outstanding banking debt, paying it typically doesn’t get it removed from your report early. That’s why people need bank accounts for bad credit.

Mistakes happen. Many people don’t know how to manage a checking account until they make a mess of it. How to manage a checking account is typically not taught in school or by your parents.

Bank accounts for bad credit give you a second chance

Bank accounts for bad credit offer you a second chance at checking when other banks often deny people with shaky credit. Thankfully, there are some banks that understand unforeseen circumstances, financial hardships or lack of understanding can lead to account mismanagement. Checking accounts for bad credit are available nationwide.

Open a bank account with bad credit to re-establish a good banking record while getting all the benefits of a checking account. Most banks offer online checking account tools that keep you up-to-date with daily transactions, mobile deposits and bill payment.

Get the tools to help you manage your finances more easily a bad credit bank account – dump your prepaid card. Some banks will even let you open a bank account online with no deposit and bad credit.

10 Bank Accounts for Bad Credit

If you’ve run into financial trouble and need to re-establish a bank account, check out these bank accounts for bad credit:

1. BBVA

bank-accounts-for-bad-creditBBVA’s Online Checking account is available online in all states. Anyone 18 years or older can apply for this account. What’s attractive about BBVA is that they know sometimes people need a fresh start. Second chance banking gives you the opportunity to recover from past financial mistakes.

BBVA is one of the few major banks that offer Second Chance Checking Account with full checking features like: Visa debit card, unlimited check writing, online bill payment, mobile deposits, direct deposit and cash-back rewards. Plus, it’s one of the few banks with no credit check to open accounts.

BBVA won’t charge you for using its ATMs or those belonging to the AllPoint network, which currently covers around 55,000+ free ATM locations throughout the country. That means you can make cash and check deposits the same as you would at BBVA ATMs.

More Online Checking Features

  • Apply with only $25 opening deposit
  • No monthly service charge
  • Complimentary Online Banking and Mobile Banking, plus Mobile Deposit® and Bill Pay.
  • Mobile Check Deposit
  • Send money to virtually anyone, within minutes, using just an email address or mobile phone number
  • Earn cashback on everyday purchases using your debit card
  • No ATM fees nationwide at 64,000 BBVA USA and participating non-bank ATMs.
  • Automatic rebate of ATM fee charged by other banks.
  • Deposit cash and checks at Allpoint® Network ATMs.
  • Popmoney® lets you send money to virtually anyone, within minutes, using an email address or mobile number.
  • Easily keep track of your purchases and get instant transaction alerts on the go with BBVA Mobile Banking App.

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2. OneUnited Bank

OneUnited Bank’s U2 E-Checking Account is for people with a less than perfect banking history and want a second chance. As one of the nations largest black owned banks, OneUnited Bank offers products designed for underserved communities, unbanked and underbanked consumers.

The U2 Checking Account is available online to people in ALL STATES. To apply you must first enter your name and email address plus choose the “Debit/Checking” option then click the button “Apply Today.” During the application process you’ll need to choose the “U2 E-Checking (2nd Chance) Account” option plus choose an artful debit card design or just the plain Visa debit card design like this:


U2 E-Checking Account Details:

  • Minimum opening deposit of $100
  • Get paid up to 2 days early with early direct deposit
  • Free Online & Mobile Banking
  • Obtain Cash, Surcharge Free at Over 30,000 ATMs Nationwide
  • Deposit checks through the mobile app using Mobile Remote Deposit Capture
  • Monthly service charge of $12.00 for checking
  • Free Bill Pay

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3. Fifth Third Express Banking®

Fifth Third Express Banking® offers a simple way to manage your funds. The Visa® Debit Card gives you immediate access to your money along with the convenience and security of a banking relationship. But note this is a bare-bones account due to no credit score requirement.

The Express Banking account does not offer check writing or check deposits at ATMs. But on the plus side, there’s no monthly service charge, balance requirement or overdraft fees.

Fifth Third Express Banking® Details:

  • No Monthly Fee
  • No balance requirement or overdraft fees
  • No check writing or check deposits at ATMs
  • Check cashing and deposits at Fifth Third branch locations
  • Mobile Deposit with immediate funds availability
  • Mobile and Online Banking

4. GoBank Online Checking

GoBank is a mobile checking account owned by Green Dot Bank. GoBank doesn’t use ChexSystems or bad credit to deny accounts. There are no branches, just self-service mobile and online options, and ATMs.

GoBank Online Checking Account Details:

  • $8.95 monthly fee unless you set-up direct deposits that total at least $500 each month.
  • No ChexSystems or credit check used
  • $5.05 to deposit cash at participating retailers like 7-11 or Walmart
  • $2.95 fee and minimum opening deposit of $20 if you open your account at a retail location or FREE to open if you sign up online or via mobile
  • Two ways to get cash for free: via in-network ATMs or cash back with a debit card purchase

bank-accounts-for-bad-credit

Sign-up for overdraft protection

Overdrafts can lead to being reported to ChexSystems or Early Warning Services. If you keep a low checking balance consider a bank that offers overdraft protection or an overdraft line of credit like BBVA.


5. Bank of America

Bank of America offers a basic checking account called the SafeBalance Banking® Account. It’s a no-frills account that does not charge overdraft fees by declining any transaction where you don’t have enough money in your account. You do not get check writing privileges with this account but it comes with convenient ways to pay individuals or businesses — use a debit card or Online Banking to make purchases, pay bills or pay individuals.

SafeBalance Banking® Account Details:

  • $25 minimum balance to open account
  • $5.05 monthly service fee
  • Mobile check deposit
  • No fee at thousands of Bank of America ATMs
  • $2.50/transaction at Non-Bank of America ATMs in the U.S.

6. Corporate America Family Credit Union

Corporate America Family Credit Union offers a fresh start checking account that gives you the chance to rebuild a positive checking account history. You must become a member of Corporate America Family Credit Union to open a checking account. How to Join: Qualify through the Hope Group to become a member of the credit union.

Fresh Start Checking Account Details:

  • You must keep at least $100 in your Regular Share Account at all times
  • $10 monthly fee
  • Be a member of Corporate America Family Credit Union

7. America’s Credit Union, FCU

America’s Credit Union offers the Opportunity Checking Account designed for members who need to re-establish their financial health. The checking account allows customers to build a positive banking relationship. How to Join: Membership in ACU includes all members of the Armed Forces (active, retired, and reservists), civilian personnel, relatives of these members, as well as select employer groups. If you do not fall within these categories, you can join the PNCC in order to become a member of ACU.

Opportunity Checking Account Details:

  • $8.95 per month when you have Direct Deposit of your entire payroll, pension, or Social Security check (at least $500 per month) to your checking account; OR, $10.75 per month without Direct Deposit to ACU
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free mobile banking and mobile deposit
  • Free Online Banking and Bill Pay
  • 10 free non-credit union owned ATM withdrawals per month
  • You can advance to another checking account type after you have 12 consecutive months with less than 12 Non-Sufficient Funds (NSFs) notices.

8. Unify Financial Credit Union

Unify Financial Credit Union offers the “Right Start Checking for first-timers or account holders looking to rebuild a positive checking account history.” How to Join: Qualify through Western Federal Credit Union which allows potential members to join through a complimentary membership with a partnering nonprofit organization: Surfrider Foundation or Friends of Hobbs.

Right Start Checking Account Details:

  • Open with a $25 deposit and no minimum balance requirement.
  • Pay no monthly or per-check fees.
  • Enjoy Overdraft Protection up to $250.
  • Get free access to eBanking.

9. Aspire Federal Credit Union

Aspire Federal Credit Union offers the “Fresh Start Checking” for members who face challenges with getting approved for checking accounts at banks and “other” financial institutions. Build a positive financial record with Aspire. How to Join: Donate to one of 15 participating organizations, such as a $5 gift to the Land Trust of North Alabama. Aspire offers a new ePower Plus checking account that will give you 1,000 bonus enrollment points ($5 cash back).

Fresh Start Checking Account Details:

  • Mandatory Direct Deposit – full allocation (100%) of your paycheck
  • No Fraudulent History Record
  • No monthly checking account fee
  • No ATM transaction fees when using our surcharge- free ATM network
  • Access to 70,000+ surcharge-free ATMs
  • Free online and telephone account access with My CU Online and Call24
  • Accompanying debit card

10. First American Bank

First American Bank offers a Fresh Start Checking account with free digital tools, a low minimum opening deposit, and no minimum balance requirement. There are branch locations in Illinois, primarily the Chicago area and a branch in Coral Gables, Florida. If you’ve had difficulty opening a checking account at other banks, First American Bank’s Fresh Start Checking Account may work for you.

Fresh Start Checking Account Details:

  • Free First American Bank Mastercard® Debit Card
  • Free mobile and online banking
  • Free eStatements
  • Access to over 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint and Presto! ATMs*
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Free check images online
  • Free Bank-by-Phone
  • No minimum balance requirement ($50 to open account)
  • $9.95 monthly fee

How to find more second chance accounts

Some research may be required if these options don’t work for you. You can start looking for bad credit bank accounts and second chance banking right in your local community bank or credit union. You want a financial institution that puts emphasis on helping customers and forming a personal banking relationship.

Banks that don’t use ChexSystems

If bank accounts for bad credit are not an option, the next best alternative are banks that don’t use ChexSystems. These accounts are very similar to bank accounts for bad credit but the main difference is they don’t use ChexSystems to verify new accounts.

When banks open a checking account for bad credit customers, they may use ChexSystems to verify new account openings but decide to give customers a fresh start. On the other hand, banks that don’t use ChexSystems never see your negative banking records at all, which might be a better option for consumers with multiple ChexSystems records.

Challenge mistakes with ChexSystems or EWS

Just like creditors report inaccurate information to credit bureaus, banks and credit unions make mistakes too. Challenge errors and inaccurate information reported to ChexSystems and EWS if you think you should have a clean record.

Order your ChexSystems and EWS report for free, once every 12 months. If you’ve been denied a bank account within the last 60-days you are entitled to a free report. Otherwise there will be a fee.

Be Careful of Overdrafts with your new account

Avoid overdrafts with your new account by keeping track of your money. Most bank accounts, if not all, allow online access and apps that offer up-to-date account information and alerts.

Bank accounts for bad credit and second chance banking accounts are typically not free, as you can tell from the above-listed options. But, most banks and credit unions will give you an opportunity to upgrade to a free account or at the very least an account that offers more benefits after a 12-month proof of good account management.

Your new account is more than likely being monitored by the bank. If you’re prone to overdrafts, you need to be conscious of your balance at all times and open a bank account that offers overdraft protection or an overdraft line of credit.
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