Checking Account » Banks in Texas that offer Free Checking Plus Second Chance Accounts

Our editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our review work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the CreditMashup site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.

We also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, CreditMashup does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.

Banks in Texas that offer Free Checking Plus Second Chance Accounts

Best Banks in Texas that offer free checking plus some that offer second chance checking accounts.

Finding the best free banks in Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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.

In this article

1 10 Best Free Banks in Texas

2 Second Chance Banks in Texas

3 Second Chance Credit Unions in Texas

4 How To Manage A Checking Account

10 Best Free Banks in Texas

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

APPLY NOW

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

APPLY NOW

3. 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

APPLY NOW

4. 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

5. Bank of Oklahoma

Bank of Oklahoma is a regional bank that was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The full-service bank offers a wide range of financial products that include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, HELOCs, wealth management and investment services. The monthly free checking account is called Access Checking with the following features:

$50 Minimum Opening Deposit
One complimentary overdraft fee refund per calendar year (upon request)
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
Free Online and Mobile Access with Bill Pay

6. First Bank & Trust Texas

First Bank & Trust has a rich history dating back to 1945. First Bank & Trust has grown and expanded its reach with locations throughout Texas. The full-service bank offers a wide range of financial products that include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, small business banking and investment services. The monthly free checking account is called Free Checking with e-Statement with the following features:

$25 Minimum Opening Deposit
Unlimited check writing
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
Free Online and Mobile Access with Bill Pay

7. First Financial Bank

First Financial Bank is a Texas-based financial institution with a history that dates back to 1870. The bank was originally founded as Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Abilene, Texas, and over the years has become one of the largest independent banks in Texas. The full-service bank offers a wide range of financial products that include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, small business banking and investment services. The monthly free checking account is called Free Checking with e-Statement with the following features:

$25 Minimum Opening Deposit
Debit card, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
Notary service

8. First National Bank of Omaha

First National Bank of Omaha FNBO has over 100 locations throughout the United States, including Texas, and provides a wide range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. FNBO is one of the largest banks in the region. The monthly free checking account is called Free Checking with the following features:

No minimum deposit to open or minimum balance requirement
No Overdraft fees
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
No ATM fees from FNBO (other banks and ATM operators’ surcharges may apply)

9. Independent Financial

Independent Financial started 35 years ago in Farmersville and has grown to over 90 financial centers across Texas and Colorado. The full-service bank offers a wide range of financial products that include checking, savings, CDs, personal, auto and mortgage loans, retirement and investment services. The monthly free checking account is called Free Checking with the following features:

$25 Minimum Opening Deposit
Debit card, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
Send money to anyone with Zelle

10. Simmons Bank

Simmons Bank is a regional bank that is headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with over 200 branches located throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. The bank was founded in 1903 as a small community bank in Pine Bluff, and it has since grown to become one of the largest banks in the region. Simmons Bank offers a wide range of banking and financial services, including personal and business banking, lending, wealth management, and investment services. The monthly free checking account is called Simply Checking with the following features:

$50 Minimum Opening Deposit
Debit card, online and mobile banking, and online bill pay
$0 Monthly maintenance fee
24-hour telephone banking

Second Chance Banks in Texas

Bank of Texas

Bank of Texas offers an account called “Opportunity Checking” that is designed to let you start over even though you have a ChexSystems record. The minimum opening deposit is $25 and the monthly service fee is $5.00

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.

Rio Bank

The Fresh Start Checking requires a $25 minimum opening deposit and has $9.76 monthly fee.

Peoples Bank

The second chance checking account requires a $30 opening deposit.

SouthSide Bank

Re-establish and restore checking history with a second chance checking account called eChecking.

1st Convenience Bank

1st Convenience Bank does not use ChexSystems and offers a basic account called eAccount with a $5 monthly fee.

Fort Sill National Bank

The eAdvanced Checking Account is the most popular and comes with a $9.95 monthly fee.

First State Bank

The checking account is called “Simply Free Checking” and requires a $50 minimum opening deposit.

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.

Allied Federal Credit Union

Allied Federal Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called “Fresh Start Checking.” It’s designed for members who have been turned away from other financial institutions due to past account discrepancies. There is a $10.00 monthly service charge.

American Airlines Credit Union

American Airlines Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called “Ascend Checking.” If you’ve had troubles with a checking account in the past and are ready to rebuild your history.

Chocolate Bayou Credit Union

Chocolate Bayou CU offers an account called Clean Slate Checking with a $5 monthly service fee, if you’re credit isn’t in the best shape.

First Central Credit Union

First Central CU offers a second chance account called New Beginnings Checking for members who do not qualify for our regular checking account due to prior financial difficulties.

Member Source Credit Union

Member Source Credit Union offers a second chance checking account called Select Checking.

Memorial Credit Union

Memorial CU offers second chance checking called “New Path Checking.”

Neighborhood Credit Union

Fresh Start Checking is available for those who have had closures at other financial institutions but the monthly fee is a little high at $20.

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.

How To Manage A Checking Account

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Share:

Send Us A Message