Finding the best free banks in Georgia depends on your banking needs. Whether your priority is interest-bearing checking accounts, high-yield savings, a variety of banking products, digital banking or physical branches, there is a bank in Georgia that can meet your requirements.
However, if you’re unable to open a checking account due to ChexSystems or Early Warning Services (EWS) records, we also compiled a list of second chance banks in Georgia that offer an opportunity to build a new banking history. Keep in mind there will likely be a monthly service fee associated with second chance banking accounts.
10 Best Free Banks in Georgia
1. Chime Checking Account
Chime is available to people in all states and can be opened online with no deposit. The Chime free checking account does not use ChexSystems so it can be used as a second chance checking account. Chime’s checking account has many features including the following:
- $0 Minimum opening deposit
- Overdraft protection up to $2001 if you have a qualifying direct deposit
- Receive pay up to two days earlier with Chime direct deposit
- Manage your money with 24/7 mobile banking.
- Access cash with over 60,000 fee-free ATMs2
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC
2. OneUnited Bank
OneUnited Bank’s Online Checking Account is a free checking available to people in ALL STATES. OneUnited Bank is a Black-Owned Bank that offers the Black Wall Street Checking account with no monthly fee. If you’re looking for second chance banking options, OneUnited Bank’s U2 E-Checking Account is available but it has a monthly fee of $12. With OneUnited Bank customers can add cash to the OneUnited Bank Debit Card at over 90,000 locations across the country through a partnership with Green Dot®.
Here are the checking account features:
- $25 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly fee.
- Get paid up to 2 days early with early direct deposit.
- Free Online & Mobile Banking.
- Obtain Cash, Surcharge Free at Over 35,000 ATMs Nationwide.
- Deposit checks through the mobile app.
- Free Bill Pay
3. SoFi Bank
SoFi Bank is a bank headquartered in California with membership open to anyone regardless of where they live or work. Financial products and services include checking, savings, personal, student and mortgage loans, investments and retirement planning. The monthly free checking account is combined with savings account with the following features:
- $10 Minimum Opening Deposit if you link an external bank account or $50 if you open with a debit card.
- Welcome Bonus up to $250 when you sign up and set up direct deposit.
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit.
- 55,000+ fee-free ATMs within the Allpoint® Network.
- Members with direct deposit can earn 4.20% APY on their savings and Vaults balances, and 1.20% APY on their checking balances.
- Deposits are insured up to $2M through a network of participating banks.
4. First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank was originally founded as the Bank of Smithfield in 1898. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, First Citizens Bank has branches in 21 states. They offer a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and organizations including checking, savings, trust services, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services, insurance, and more. The Free Checking account has many features including the following:
- $50 Minimum opening deposit
- Pay your bills from any device, transfer funds to other accounts and send money with Zelle®
- Manage and monitor your funds with free online banking tools
- Link your debit card to digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Samsung Pay®
- Choose the right level of overdraft protection coverage for your account.
5. Consumers Credit Union
Consumers Credit Union is a credit union based in Illinois with membership open to anyone regardless of where they live or work. Financial products and services include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, small business banking, investments and financial education. The monthly free checking account is called Rewards Checking with the following features:
- Unlimited reimbursement for any and all ATM fees**
- Over 30,000 ATMs & over 5,000 shared branches
- Online & mobile banking plus bill pay
- Get paid as much as two days early with early direct deposit**
- No monthly maintenance fees, for anything
6. BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank is a well-established financial institution with over 500 branches across U.S. and access to over 40,000 ATMs. As the 8th largest bank in North America by assets, BMO Harris Bank has $852 billion in total assets. Financial products and services include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, HELOCs, small business banking, investment and retirement accounts. The monthly free checking account is called Smart Advantage Account with the following features:
- $25 Minimum Opening Deposit
- Unlimited Transactions at 40,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide
- $0 Monthly maintenance fee
- BMO Digital Banking – pay bills, transfer money and more
7. Colony Bank
Colony Bank is a community bank headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with branches located throughout the state of Georgia. The bank was founded in 1975 and offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and organizations. Colony Bank provides various types of deposit accounts, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. The bank also offers consumer and commercial loans, including home mortgages, personal loans, and business loans. The monthly free checking account is called Colony One Checking with the following features:
- $25 Minimum Opening Deposit
- NO overdraft or non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees
- $0 Monthly maintenance fee
- Free Online and Mobile Access with Bill Pay
8. Synovus
Synovus is a financial institution with locations in several states including Georgia. Some of the financial products and services offered by Synovus Bank in Georgia include checking, savings, CDs, loans, small business banking, investments and insurance. They offer an account called “Free Checking” with the following features:
- $100 Minimum Opening Deposit
- Free online bill pay
- Digital banking app
- No monthly service fee no matter how much your account balance changes
6. Truist Bank
Truist Bank is a financial institution headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with branches located throughout Georgia and other states in the Southeastern United States. The bank was formed in 2019 through the merger of BB&T Corporation and SunTrust Banks, Inc. Truist Bank offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, and organizations. These include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, wealth management services, and insurance products. They offer several free checking accounts as long as you meet the following requirements:
- Make $500 or more in total deposits per statement cycle OR
- Make 10 or more qualifying transactions per statement cycle OR
- Be a student under the age of 25
9. United Bank
United Bank is a community bank that provides personal and business banking services to customers in the Zebulon area and surrounding communities. United Bank was founded in 1905 and has grown to become one of the largest community banks in the state of Georgia, with over 20 branches throughout the state. The bank offers a variety of banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, and wealth management services. The monthly free checking account is called Just Checking with the following features:
- $0 Minimum Opening Deposit
- Debit card, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay
- $0 Monthly maintenance fee
10. First American Bank & Trust
First American Bank & Trust is a community bank headquartered in Athens, Georgia that provides personal and business banking services to customers throughout Georgia. The bank was founded in 1928 and has since grown to become one of the largest community banks in the state, with several branches located throughout Georgia. First American Bank & Trust offers a variety of banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, and wealth management services. The monthly free checking account is called Basic Checking with the following features:
- $25 Minimum Opening Deposit
- Free online banking with bill pay
- Access to FAB Money Management personal financial management tool
Second Chance Banks in Georgia
Community Bank & Trust
The Second Slice Account requires a $100 opening deposit and a $0 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Fifth Third Bank
The Fifth Third Express Account requires a $0 opening deposit and a $0 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
PNC Bank
The PNC Foundation Checking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $25 and the monthly service fee is $5.00.
Regions Bank
The Basic Checking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $10 and the monthly service fee is $5.00.
The First Bank
The First Step Checking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $15 and the monthly service fee is $3.00.
United Bank
The United Checking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $25 and the monthly service fee is $4.95.
United Community Bank
The United Essential Banking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $25 and the monthly service fee is $5.00.
Second Chance Credit Unions in Georgia
1st Choice Credit Union
The Freedom Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Associated Credit Union
The Lend A Hand Checking Account has a minimum opening deposit of $25 and the monthly service fee is $9.95.
Georgia’s Own Credit Union
The Resolution Checking Account is designed to help re-establish financial stability for members who have had previous credit problems and are not eligible for other checking accounts. You must speak with Georgia’s Own representatives for details and important account features.
Peach State Federal Credit Union
A Fresh Start Checking Account is available to people in ChexSystems. You must visit a branch representative for details and important account features.
Georgia Unbanked Numbers
According a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 2021 Survey, 6.7% of Georgia’s residents were unbanked. It’s estimated that unbanked people pay up to 10% of their salary for check cashing services. Georgia fares better than the national average of unbanked or underbanked households in America, but there are still too many Georgians without access to traditional banks that offer free checking accounts.
ChexSystems Resources
- Banks That Don’t Use ChexSystems – Take a look at our list of banks that do not use ChexSystems for a new checking account.
- EWS (Early Warning Services) – EWS is similar to ChexSystems and can prevent you from opening a checking account.
- Check your ChexSystems Report – Unsure what information exists in your ChexSystems report? Learn how to find out.
- ChexSystems Scores – Did you know that you have a ChexSystems score similar to a credit score? Find out how to get yours.
- Account Abuse – Find out why ChexSystems often reports customers for account abuse with no real explanation of what that notation means.
