With nearly 200,000 unbanked households in the state, these specialized accounts are designed for people who have been denied checking accounts because of negative marks in ChexSystems or Early Warning Services (EWS) records.
Second chance banks and credit unions provide essential services like debit cards and online banking, often with lower fees and fewer barriers to entry.
By responsibly managing a second chance account, Ohioans can regain access to mainstream financial services and work toward a stronger financial future.
Online Second Chance Banks in Ohio
Upgrade Rewards Checking
$0 minimum to open
Up to 2% cash back on purchases
Get paid up to two days early
More than 55,000 free ATMs
SoFi Bank
$50 minimum deposit
Welcome bonus up to $300
No monthly maintenance fees
Get paid up to two days early
55,000+ fee-free ATMs
Acorns
$25 minimum deposit
Earn 2.57% APY on Checking and 4.05% APY on Emergency Fund
Get paid up to 2 days early
Tungsten metal debit card
55,000+ fee-free ATMs
Current Banking
$0 minimum to open
4% APY on savings up to $6,000
Get paid up to two days early
Up to $750 cash advance
Credit building secured card
mph.Bank - Second Chance Fresh Account
$9.00 a month service fee
Zelle® Integration
Get paid up to two days earlier
55,000+ free AllPoint ATMs
Second Chance Banks in Ohio
Dollar Bank
The No Overdraft Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
City National Bank
The Bounce Back Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $6.99 monthly service fee with direct deposit or $8.99 without direct deposit. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Dollar Bank
The No Overdraft Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
First Commonwealth Bank
The Confidence 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.
First Federal Community Bank
The First Fed Bank On Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
First Financial Bank
The NoWorry Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
First Merchants Bank
The Simple Access Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and a $4 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Mutual Federal
The Easy Fit Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $4.95 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Truist Bank
The Truist Confidence Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
United Bank
The Essential Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Second Chance Credit Unions in Ohio
Buckeye State Credit Union
The Empowerment Account Checking Account requires a $20 opening deposit and has a $0 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Buckeye State Credit Union
The Empowerment Account Checking Account requires a $20 opening deposit and has a $0 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Cardinal Credit Union
The Second Chance Account Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $8.95 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Eaton Family Credit Union
The Second Chance Account Checking Account has a $10 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Hopewell Federal Credit Union
The Rebound Checking Account Checking Account requires a $50 opening deposit. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Kemba Financial Credit Union
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $5 opening deposit and has a $8.95 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Members Trust Federal Credit Union
The Second Chance Account Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $8.95 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Security Credit Union
The Opportunity Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Universal 1 Credit Union
The Freedom Express Checking Account requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $15 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Ohio Unbanked Numbers
According a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 2021 Survey, 3.5% of Ohio’ residents were unbanked. Ohio ranks moderately in unbanked households in America. It’s estimated that unbanked people pay up to 10% of their salary for check cashing services. Being unbanked makes it almost impossible to perform common financial transactions without paying some type of fee unlike people with 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.
