If you recently applied for a checking account and were denied because of a negative banking history, you’re not alone. Approximately 85% of banks in Arizona use a company called ChexSystems when you apply for a new checking account. If you have experienced several overdraft checks from another bank or have been unable to pay overdraft fees, ChexSystems will flag that behavior making it next to impossible to find a bank willing to work with you.
Granted, ChexSystems is the safety net for bank institutions to weed out people who have committed fraud or identity theft, but if you get caught in the net it can be crippling. And most of us absolutely require the use of a bank checking account to manage our money, pay bills, and receive direct deposits from an employer or government agency.
Fortunately, some banks and credit unions offer so-called No ChexSystems Checking Accounts and/or Second Chance Checking Accounts to help people rebuild their credit and financial histories. Our job at checkingexpert.com is to find those institutions in Arizona that can assist you.
List of the Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Arizona
BBVA Online Checking is our hands-down winner for the best second chance checking account for residents of Arizona. BBVA doesn’t use ChexSystems or your personal credit score when opening a checking account. Instead, they use EWS to screen applicants.The account is loaded with features and has no minimum balance requirements or monthly service charge. Simply stated, the BBVA Online Checking account has a combination of features no other bank can match. These include:
- NO ChexSystems
- NO monthly service charge
- NO monthly account balance minimums
- NO fees at over 64,000 Allpoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide
- FREE award-winning mobile app (one of the best we’ve reviewed)
- FREE Visa® debit card you can personalize with your favorite photo
- FREE online banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits
- FREE money transfer to and from any email or mobile phone in the U.S. via Popmoney®, Venmo®, and other instant transfer services
- FREE dedicated team of mobile bankers you can contact via text, email, or phone
- FREE cash back rewards for everyday debit card purchases with Simple CashBack
- FREE unlimited check writing
- FREE Visa Zero Liability protects you against fraudulent purchases made on your debit card
- BBVA USA, member FDIC
It’s simple to apply. The BBVA website is simple and easy to interact with. There is a $25 minimum deposit required to open an account. Your online approval is immediate. BBVA is one of the most friendly banks for those who need a second chance at a checking account. The entire process from start to finish takes about 3 minutes.
Your BBVA Visa Debit Card allows you access to all BBVA ATMs and Allpoint ATMs. Allpoint ATMs can be found at these retailers and many more:
Our runner up is Chime and is another great checking account option. Chime doesn’t perform ChexSystems background checks and the account comes with lots of perks, including a debit card and transaction alerts, which allow you to track how much you’re spending and what your balance is throughout the day. It’s free to open an account and there’s no monthly maintenance fee or other hidden fees.Another perk that makes this account stand out is that if you use direct deposit for paychecks from your employer, you can access that money two days sooner than you could with many other banks.
Though Chime doesn’t offer paper checks, users can still send checks to anywhere in the U.S. using the bank’s mobile app — which can also be used for making check deposits on the go.
Open a Chime account today!
Putting customers first since 1901, 1st Convenience Bank offers a flexible eAccount for the consumer on-the-go. This account is designed for those that seek a more digital-friendly account while still maintaining 1st Convenience Bank’s customer service.By opening an eAccount in person, no minimum deposit is required. Opening purely online requires a simple $20.00 minimum deposit. In addition, 1st Convenience Bank offers a plethora of features to their eAccount owners including:
- A debit Mastercard for purchases and payments
- Free Gold Key ATM withdrawals
- A monthly maintenance fee of only $5.00 with E-statement enrollment
- Bill pay and money order services
With Alhambra Credit Union, obtaining a checking account has never been easier. For those that may have unpaid closures or NSF activity on past checking accounts, Alhambra offers help with a Basic Checking Account to assist people in establishing proper money management practices.In addition to their Basic Checking Account, Alhambra Credit Union offers a wide variety of services to their clients including:
- Online banking and bill pay services
- Free withdrawals at all Alhambra CU ATMs
- Four free monthly withdrawals at non-Alhambra CU ATMs
- A 1% check cashing fee for checks over $100.00
- Free notary services for all members
Bank of the West offers its easy-to-use Fresh Start Checking Account for customers that may have negative entries on their ChexSystems report.To be eligible for a Fresh Start Account with Bank of the West, any entries within ChexSystems must be older than one year. The monthly account service charge is $12 but grants you a variety of benefits for qualified customers, including:
- A Bank of the West debit card for all purchases and withdrawals
- Online banking with bill pay services
- Unlimited access to Bank of the West ATMs
- A monthly account service charge of only $12
- No-limit check writing
Employees of the Banner Health System, Sonora Quest Laboratory, and other small affiliated businesses are eligible for an Opportunity Checking Account at Banner Federal Credit Union. Designed for customers looking to reestablish a good banking history, Banner Federal gives you all the benefits of a normal checking account but with the added benefit of financial monitoring.With Banner Federal’s financial monitoring, the institution will contact and assist any client they feel may be in financial trouble. For those individuals that reach a year of good checking history, those clients will qualify for an upgrade to the Protection Plus Rewards Checking!
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For customers with past financial difficulties, BOK Financial offers their Opportunity Checking Account. Designed to be a checkless account, this account offers customers easy and convenient access to their money with a minimum deposit of only $50.00 to get started.For Opportunity Check Account holders, BOK Financial also offers access to QuickSave. This tool has been created to help clients automatically save money to better their finances. In addition to this benefit, BOK Financial also offers:
- Free access to MoneyPass ATMs
- A discounted $5.00 monthly service fee with a qualifying direct deposit of at least $300
- Online statements and notices
- Free online statements
Copper State Credit Union (formerly Canyon State Credit Union) offers their Try Again Checking Account. For clients that may have unpaid closures or NSF activity, this Copper State account is the perfect opportunity for a second chance coming in at only a $10 monthly fee.Copper State enrolls new account holders in the personal finance education program ‘CheckRight’ to help teach the fundamentals of checking accounts for a stronger financial relationship. Once this course has been completed, Copper State account holders will be eligible for:
- Five free monthly ATM transactions
- 24/7 online banking
- Potential account upgrades after one year
Members of Corporate America Family Credit Union (CAFCU) are eligible for their Fresh Start Checking Account. This account is perfect for members who may have a less than stellar checking history and are looking to reestablish that. With only a $10.00 monthly account fee, a Fresh Start Account is the perfect solution.In addition, CAFCU offers a course on how to become a successful account holder to ensure financial success for its members. Get in Balance, an online study course, provides members with the empowerment and tools to make better financial decisions and more closely manage their checking accounts.
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First American Community Credit Union (FACCU) offers their Second Chance Checking account to help clients rebuild their credit and start over. Simply provide paid receipts from previously owed accounts to begin sign up for the Second Chance Checking account.Once paid receipts have been provided, a $50 minimum deposit is required along with a recurring $10.00 monthly service fee to open an account. For its account holders, First American Community Credit Union offers a variety of benefits including:
- A Visa debit card
- Internet banking access and bill pay
- Online statements and notices
- Easy mobile banking
- Telephone banking access
- Optional direct deposit
GoBank is an online option for simple banking. All you need to do to open an account is to purchase a GoBank starter kit from a partner retailer and pass an identity verification. In return, you receive the ability to use a debit card for purchases and ATM withdrawals. You can also write checks to avoid expensive money order fees.Deposits to your account can be made through mobile check deposit, direct deposit or by adding cash through participating retailers for a small fee. If you direct deposit over $500, your monthly maintenance fee of $8.95 is waived.
Account holders appreciate the ability to budget their money with the help of a mobile app, budgeting tools and a savings vault. There are many participating retailers, including Walgreens, CVS and Kroger.
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Go Further from GTE Financial helps put you on the path to a better checking account. If you don’t qualify for a traditional account, the Go Further account will help you get there in as little as 12 months. We consider this a low-cost second chance checking. As long as you make a total deposit of $500 for the month, opt to receive eStatements and make 15 monthly transactions, the $9.95 maintenance fee is waived.GTE Financial is one of the largest credit unions in the US. Membership is open to anyone through easy requirements and an online application process. The Go Further account includes:
- Free EMV-equipped debit card with built-in rewards
- Online and mobile banking tools
- Free bill pay service
- Easy money transfers through the Popmoney service
MariSol Federal Credit Union offers their Start Again Basic Checking account for any and all clients that need a helping hand rebuilding themselves to a good financial standing.With no minimum deposit required to open the account and only a $10 monthly maintenance fee to keep it open, the Start Again Basic Checking account helps to change Arizona for the better. Continuing that change, MariSol Federal Credit Union offers a tremendous amount of account benefits, including:
- Unlimited withdrawals with MariSol Federal Credit Union
- Free Mastercard debit card
- No minimum account balance required
- Free digital banking
- An opportunity to rebuild credit
No matter your banking past, Navy Federal Credit Union offers traditional checking for all members in Alabama and across the US. With no review requirements of your banking history, NFCU is an excellent choice for active duty or retired US military, family members and government contractors. There are two banking choices to choose from: Active Duty Checking and Free eChecking.Both account options come with a free NFCU debit card. There is no monthly service fee with direct deposit. Your account is protected from overdrafts with free savings transfers, a checking line of credit or an optional overdraft protection service. You also receive:
- Free mobile deposits
- Free bill pay
- Free traditional name-only checks
- Dividends credited monthly
Peoples Cash Solutions understands that being denied a checking account for bad credit or problems with ChexSystems or TeleCheck isn’t a good feeling. If you haven’t been involved in fraudulent activity, all you need is a fresh start. You can find it with the Second Chance Checking account from Peoples Cash Solutions.Second Chance Checking offers easy direct deposit to save you time and money by eliminating the check cashing process. Your access to your money is simple through a Peoples Cash Solutions debit Mastercard. Other convenient features include:
- Online banking
- Online money transfers
- Online bill pay
- A personal checkbook
- ATM access
You can apply online with a $30 minimum deposit. There is a monthly maintenance fee of $4.95 for Second Chance Checking through Peoples Cash Solutions.
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Pima Federal Credit Union offers their Fresh Start Checking account to clients that have previously struggled to obtain a checking account. It has been carefully designed to help those with existing credit challenges in mind.For only a monthly account maintenance fee of $10, Fresh Start Checking account holders enjoy all the benefits and features of CareFREE Checking account holders including:
- No minimum monthly account balance
- Automatic direct deposit and bill pay
- 24/7 online banking and mobile deposit capabilities
- Visa Debit Card with convenient ATM access and mobile alerts
- Earn up to 0.15 APY on your account balance
You do not need a perfect banking history to open an Essential Checking account through Radius Bank. Designed to help you manage your money, this is an excellent opportunity to start over.All you need is a $10 minimum opening deposit. After that, you have no minimum balance requirements. There is a monthly service charge of $9, but you can apply for a free checking account after 12 months of positive banking history.
You can easily apply online for all Radius banking services. Essential Checking comes with:
- Free MasterCard® debit card
- Free mobile banking with check deposit
- Free online banking with bill pay
- No minimum balance
If you are looking to save money, SoFi Money is our top choice for a non-traditional banking option. We recommend this online money management account to those who are tech savvy. One of the biggest perks is there aren’t any account fees. ATM fees are reimbursed, transfers are free and you have no minimum balance requirements. You don’t even need an initial deposit to set up your account.SoFi will even pay you through a high-yield interest rate on your checking balance. If you sign up for SoFi Money and make two direct deposits of at least $500 each, SoFi will give you a $50 cash bonus.
The sign up process takes only a few minutes because SoFi does not use ChexSystems to approve accounts. After opening your account, you receive a SoFi debit Mastercard for use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The easy-to-use mobile app keeps you in control of your money and offers bill pay, money transfers and educational services.
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With only a $25 minimum deposit and a $4 monthly maintenance fee, TCF Bank’s Base Account is an ideal option for those searching for an affordable checking account. Clients will never have to worry about an overdraft or insufficient fund fees with a TCF Bank Base Account.In addition to the benefits of no overdrafts and no NSF fees, the Base Account is packed with features sure to please anyone, including:
- No monthly minimum balance required
- 24/7 online banking and bill pay
- Free withdrawals at all TCF ATMs
- Tap-to-pay enabled debit cards for use at all contactless payment systems
Tucson Federal Credit Union offers their Second Chance Checking account to clients that have had past financial struggles with other banking institutions. To qualify, clients must not have any fraud or owed balances indicated on their ChexSystems file.For individuals that do qualify for a Second Chance Checking account, many of the same benefits of a Regular Checking account apply. After one year, account holders that maintain a good checking history will automatically be upgraded to a Regular Checking account to obtain the full benefits of the account. Certain account holders may also qualify for a $500 Visa Platinum credit card.
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For new members seeking a fresh start with their finances, Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union offers their Mission Checking account. With only a $20 account opening deposit, as well as a $20 monthly fee, the Mission Checking account is best for those that do not qualify for a traditional checking account.Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union’s Mission Checking account offers a wide plethora of benefits that entice customers including:
- A Visa debit card
- Internet banking access and bill pay
- Online statements and notices
- Easy mobile banking
- Telephone banking access
- Optional direct deposit
UNIFY Financial Credit Union understands that sometimes life isn’t perfect. Their Right Start Checking is one of our top picks for second chance checking. UNIFY makes it easy to open a Right Start Account with a $25 opening deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement or monthly service charge.The Right Start checking account offers:
- A free Visa debit card
- Free online eBanking and eStatements
- Free ePay online bill payment
- No check writing fees
- Fee-free overdraft protection from a connected savings account
UNIFY is a national credit union with hundreds of partners nationwide. If you aren’t associated with a partner company, employer or community, membership is open through a donation to the Surfrider Foundation of the Friends of Hobbs. The online application process is designed to help you find your best membership option.
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US Bank offers you a new start with a Safe Debit Account. Not having check writing abilities is seen as a plus by US Bank. By only offering a debit card, the Safe Debit Account keeps you from accidentally overdrawing your account. If an overdraft does happen, US Bank will not charge you a fee. Your only fee is a $4.95 Safe Debit Account monthly maintenance fee.The Safe Debit Account features:
- A US Bank Visa debit card
- Online banking and bill pay
- Mobile banking with mobile check deposit
- Discounts on money orders
US Bank also helps you build a better credit future with free access to the TransUnion Creditview Dashboard through your online banking. You can use this financial tool to see your VantageScore 3.0 credit score and see what minor changes in your behaviors can do for your future.
Application is easy through the fast and secure online application. You can also apply in person at one of the multiple US Bank locations in Arizona.
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Varo Bank is another internet-only bank with services based on their mobile apps for Apple and Android devices. Varo doesn’t charge fees at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs and offers strong budgeting tools and automatic savings programs.When you open an account at Varo you can do so with no initial deposit. Plus, there are never any monthly maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer fees, or debit card replacement fees.
Finally, if Varo receives a payroll notification before your payday, it can deposit your money more quickly than many banks.
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Washington Savings Bank gives you the opportunity to start fresh with their Online Rewards Checking. We understand that you need an account with easy accessibility and plenty of options. Washington Savings Bank provides all the perks you need to rebuild your banking relationship.With relaxed CheckSystems requirements, you’ll find it is easy to open an Online Rewards account. All you need is a minimum deposit of $10 and an online application. There is no minimum balance requirement, but there is a $14.95 monthly fee. After a year of good standing, you can convert your account to a free checking plan.
With Online Reward Checking, you have access to:
- A free Mastercard EMV debit card
- Free online banking and bill pay
- Free budgeting tools
- Free mobile banking
- Mobile deposit after 3 months of direct deposits
- Free eStatements
Wells Fargo recently changed the Opportunity Checking account to Clear Access Banking. And we like one change, in particular. Wells Fargo has done away with overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees. Clear Access Banking is a debit card-only account (no paper checks available) and if you attempt to purchase something without sufficient funds, the transaction will be denied. That’s a lot better than having the transaction approved and then discovering you’ve been hit with a $35 overdraft fee.There is a $5 monthly fee, but that is be waived for account holders 24 years old and younger. This account is available to residents in all 50 states.
- The largest number of branches in the U.S.
- Minimum deposit of $25 to open an account
- Online bill pay and smartphone app
- Mobile check deposit
- Includes a Visa debit card
- Send and receive money through Zelle
- Additional features include account alerts, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and zero liability protection for your debit card
Did we leave your financial institution off this list? Has there been a change in any of the listings? Please let us know.