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 Texas that offer an opportunity to build a new banking history.
Top Online Second Chance Checking Accounts in Texas
Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus
The Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus is best for debit card spending. Customers get up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with a monthly $1,000 direct deposit 1 plus many features including the following:
- $0 Minimum Opening Deposit.
- Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases2.
- Optional savings account that earns 5.21% APY3.
- Customers with direct deposit can get paid up to two days early4.
- No monthly fees, no overdraft fees5, and get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account.
- FDIC-Insured Up to $250,000.
Upgrade is a financial technology company, not a bank. Checking and savings accounts provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.
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
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:
- $100 Minimum opening deposit.
- Welcome Bonus up to $250 when you 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 4.50% 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.
Second Chance Banks in Texas
1st Convenience Bank
The eAccount does not require an opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. You’ll have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Bank of Texas
The Opportunity Checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers get free access to more than 32,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide plus online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Bank of Montgomery
The EZ Checking account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $0 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Extraco Banks
The Bank On Checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $4.95 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Falcon Bank
The EZ Checking account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $3.50 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Independent Financial
The Intro Checking account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $4.95 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Moody Bank
The Moody MyFreedom Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has no monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
First Federal Bank of Louisiana
The Smart Access Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
PlainsCapital Bank
The Basic Access Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
PNC Bank
The Foundation Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
R Bank
The Refresh Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Regions Bank
The Regions Now Checking Account requires a $10 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Regions Bank
The Regions Now Checking Account requires a $10 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Rio Bank
The Fresh Start Checking requires a $25 opening deposit. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Simmons Bank
The Affordable Advantage Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
SouthSide Bank
The eChecking Account requires a $25 opening deposit. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
SunFlower Bank
The Achievement Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers 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 has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Veritex Community Bank
The Verismart Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Vista Bank
The Aspire Checking Account requires a $1 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
WaFd Bank
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $4 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Second Chance Credit Unions in Texas
There are multiple credit unions in Texas that offer second chance checking accounts. But there’s a big difference in credit unions and banks. Credit unions may have restrictions on membership where potential members must meet certain requirements that vary depending on the credit union’s objective.
American Airlines Credit Union
The ASCEND Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and does not have a monthly service fee if direct deposit is set up. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Chocolate Bayou Credit Union
The Clean Slate Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Credit Human Federal Credit Union
The Sensible Spend Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $3 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Doches Credit Union
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $0 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
First Central Credit Union
The New Beginnings Checking Account requires a $100 opening deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Kelly Community Federal Credit Union
Anyone with a ChexSystems record of less than $800 unpaid is eligible for the Smart Choice Checking that has an $8.00 monthly fee.
Memorial Credit Union
The New Path Checking Account requires a $5 opening deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Neighborhood Credit Union
The Fresh Start Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $20 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Premier America Credit Union
Premier America Credit Union offers a “Fresh Start” checking account for people with past ChexSystems records. The minimum deposit required to open an account is $25 and the monthly service fee is $13 without direct deposit or $10 with a minimum $200 monthly direct deposit.
Prestige Community Credit Union
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $0 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
River City Federal Credit Union
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $5 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
SELECT Federal Credit Union
The Fresh Start Checking Account requires a $25 opening deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Shell Federal Credit Union
The Boost Checking account only requires a $1 minimum opening deposit.
Texas People Federal Credit Union
The Opportunity Checking Account requires a $100 opening deposit and has a $7 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
Unity One Credit Union
The Clean Start Checking Account requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee. Customers have free access to online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay and account alerts.
United Heritage Credit Union
The Choice Checking account requires a $20 minimum opening deposit and has a $10 monthly service fee.
How To Manage A Checking Account
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Keep track of your account balance. Make sure you know how much money you have in your account at all times. Keep track of your transactions and deduct them from your balance to avoid overdrawing your account.
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Sign up for account alerts. Many banks offer free alerts via text or email that notify you when your account balance falls below a certain amount. This can help you avoid overdraft fees.
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Set up automatic bill pay. If you have regular bills that you pay each month, consider setting up automatic payments to ensure that they are paid on time and avoid late fees.
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Use mobile banking apps. Many banks offer mobile banking apps that allow you to monitor your account balance, deposit checks, and transfer funds. These apps can help you stay on top of your finances and avoid overdraft fees.
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Opt out of overdraft protection. If you don’t want to pay overdraft fees, consider opting out of overdraft protection. This means that your bank will decline transactions that would overdraw your account, rather than allowing them to go through and charging you a fee.
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Keep a buffer in your account. Try to keep a cushion of funds in your account to cover unexpected expenses or mistakes. This can help you avoid overdraft fees if you accidentally overspend.
Following these tips should help you steer clear of ChexSystems and Early Warning Services (EWS) while maintaining a safe place to conduct daily expense transactions and grow your money.
Texas Unbanked Numbers
According a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 2021 Survey, 5.6% of Texas residents were unbanked. It’s estimated that unbanked people pay up to 10% of their salary for check cashing services.
Texas fares better than the national average of unbanked or underbanked households in America, but there are still too many Texans 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.
Upgrade Disclaimers
1 Active Accounts with a monthly direct deposit of $1000 are eligible for additional benefits on Rewards Checking Plus such as additional cash back rewards, ATM fee reimbursement, and more. See the Active Account page for more information.
2 Rewards Checking Plus customers who set-up monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants and bars – including deliveries – and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card purchases. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card purchases for the remainder of the year. Rewards Checking Plus accounts with less than $1,000 in monthly direct deposits 60 days after account opening will earn 1% cash back on common everyday expenses and 0.50% cash back on all other eligible debit card purchases. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
3 The 1.5% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Performance Savings account is effective as of June 1, 2023. The APY for the Performance Savings account is variable and may change at any time. Active Accounts qualify for 5.07% APY with monthly $1000 direct deposit. The APY for Active Accounts is effective as of September 1, 2023, is variable, and may change at any time. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Performance Savings Deposit Account Agreement and Truth in Savings Disclosure. To earn APY, you must open and fund a Performance Savings account. Rewards Checking Plus accounts do not earn APY.
4 Early direct deposit requires set up of recurring electronic direct deposit from your employer, payroll, or benefits provider and is limited to direct deposits under $5000. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing in which we receive notice of impending direct deposit, which is generally up to two days before the scheduled deposit date.
5 There are no overdraft fees or annual fees associated with Rewards Checking Plus accounts. Rewards Checking Plus charges no ATM fees, but third-party institutions may charge you a fee if you use their ATM/network or if you use your Upgrade VISA® Debit Card internationally. For Active Accounts, Upgrade will rebate ATM fees charged by another institution for debit card withdrawals in the United States, up to five times per calendar month. To be eligible to receive third-party ATM fee rebates in any calendar month for eligible ATM withdrawals made during that month on a Rewards Checking Plus account, the account must be an Active Account in the prior calendar month. See the Active Account page for more information. As a courtesy to new customers, Upgrade will provide third-party ATM fee rebates for 60 days after account opening regardless of account user status. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Checking Deposit Account Agreement and Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
