The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Arizona

Chime is a fast-growing internet-only financial company and our top choice for a second chance bank account.

And, best of all, Chime accepts almost all customers who apply. Even if you have bad or poor credit or have been blacklisted by ChexSystems or the credit bureaus.

Features include mobile deposits, direct deposit, online bill payment, NO monthly or annual fees, NO overdrafts fees¹, NO credit check, and NO CheckSystems. Opening an account is super easy. It takes about 2 minutes and you don’t have to make an initial deposit. Here’s what we like:

No Monthly Fees

For the past couple of years, Chime’s huge growth has come at the expense of the big banks and their outrageous fees. And it’s one of the best features of a Chime account. There are no monthly or annual service charges, no minimum balance requirement, no foreign transaction fees, no fees at over 60,000 ATMs², and no fees for mobile and online bill pay.

Deposit Cash for FREE at Over 8,500 Walgreens

Having access to a physical location for cash deposits is important to Chime members. And now it’s easy. All you have to do is go into a Walgreens store, hand the cashier the cash you want to deposit along with your Chime card, and the deposit will show up in your account immediately. This offers Chime members more walk-in locations than any other bank in the U.S. With over 78% of the country within 5 miles of a Walgreens, this is a significant benefit for millions.³

Smart Technology

Unlike big banks, Chime was created during the smartphone era and, therefore, features an app that is more than just a way for customers to review their bank accounts.

You can transfer funds to friends and family, Chime members or not… and they can claim their money instantly⁴ without any additional apps. The Chime app also has a series of notifications that you can turn on or turn off so you stay in complete control. Misplaced or lost your card? You can instantaneously turn off your card using the app. No wonder over 300,000 customers have given the app a 5-star review.

Customers First

Chime was one of the first to offer a “round up” option. If you use your Chime card on a purchase of $10.65, Chime gives you the option of automatically rounding up to $11.00 and putting the remaining $.35 in your free Chime savings account. And that adds up over time! Plus, Chime pays 0.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)⁵ in interest on that savings account.

If you use direct deposit with your Chime account, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days early⁶. And Chime is just saying no to big bank NSF charges with a fee-free overdraft program up to $200. Finally, Chime just recently launched their Credit Builder credit card with no interest and no annual fee. We don’t think there is another company innovating for their customers like Chime.

Get a Chime Account Today!
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card issued by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. See additional disclaimers below.

For many people, having access to a local bank branch is paramount when setting up a checking account. With over 16,000 ATMs and 4,800 branches across the country, the Chase Secure Banking account might be the perfect fit.

Here are some of our favorite features with this account:

• NO credit check
• NO ChexSystems
• NO minimum deposit to open
• NO overdraft fees
• FREE access to over 16,000 Chase ATMs
• FREE Chase Online Bill Pay
• FREE money orders and cashier’s checks

Highly Rated Mobile App

Available for iOS and Android, the Chase Mobile app offers 24/7 access to your account. The app is highly rated, earning 4.8 stars out of 5 on the App Store and 4.4 stars out of 5 on Google Play.

You can transfer funds, deposit checks, send money with Zelle, set up account alerts and notifications, and lock your card if it’s been lost or stolen.

The app also has incredibly helpful budgeting tools, personalized insights, and the ability to check your credit score for free.

How The Account Works

Opening the Chase Secure Banking account is easy. They verify your name, address, and social security through Experian, but don’t pull a credit report or credit score. Chase doesn’t use ChexSystems for this account, either. Account approval is immediate, there’s no opening deposit requirement, and you’ll receive your Chase Secure card within a matter of days.

Chase doesn’t offer overdraft services with this account as you can only spend the money you have available and the account does not include paper checks.

Chase Secure Banking carries a $4.95 monthly service fee that cannot be waived. But combined with all the free services and the $100 cash bonus when you use the card for 10 purchases within 60 days, the monthly fee doesn’t pose a problem for most customers. And, you’ll have peace of mind with Chase’s Zero Liability Protection if you detect and report unauthorized transactions.

Banking With A Leader

Chase claims to be involved with 40% of Americans in some way or another. There can be comfort in size, reach, and stability. Chase has all of that and the assurance they will be there for a long, long time.

If you’ve wanted to bank with Chase and wondered if you’d qualify, we think you’re going to be really happy with the Chase Secure Banking account.

Get a Chase Secure Banking account today!

NorthOne is a fast-growing company built specifically around business banking solutions for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. In addition to dramatically streamlining the application process, NorthOne doesn’t check your credit and doesn’t use ChexSystems. Here’s a recap:

• FREE business Mastercard debit card
• FREE access at over 1,000,000 ATMs nationwide
• FREE online and mobile app
• FREE live chat (not a chatbot), telephone, or email support
• FREE in-app invoice creator
• NO minimum monthly balance requirement
• NO NSF fees
• NO ACH transfer fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems

Banking Services

NorthOne doesn’t require a minimum account balance and charges a $10 monthly fee that includes unlimited transactions in your account. These include ACH payments, bill pay, debit card usage, mobile deposits, and transfers. The only other fee is $15 for wire transfers.

You can also grant read-only access to employees or your accountant or bookkeeper. This keeps your account safe while also giving access to those who need it.

Integrations

With NorthOne business banking, you can connect your account to an almost unlimited number of third-party apps. NorthOne integrates with business tools including Paypal, Stripe, Square, Etsy, Shopify, Airbnb, Amazon, Venmo, Toast, Uber, Lyft, Quickbooks, FreshBooks, Wave, Expensify, and many more. Through these integrations, you can sync transaction details, collect payments, see and pay invoices, send payroll, pay contractors, and more.

If creating and sending invoices, quotes, and estimates is critical to your business, NorthOne offers a free stand-alone invoice creator that integrates seamlessly with the banking app. We’ve tried it and think it’s an elegant solution.

Envelopes

NorthOne has created a feature that helps you plan for and manage important expense categories. They call these sub-accounts “Envelopes” and you can set up as many as you want. This allows you to set aside funds you know you’ll need in the future such as taxes or payroll. You can set custom rules for your envelopes and easily move money back and forth as needed.

Application Process

NorthOne targets account approvals within one to two business days. Information required to open an account includes name, address, and social security number or tax identification number. If applicable, NorthOne may ask for a copy of your business license and business formation documents. After you’re approved, you’ll need to make a $50 minimum opening deposit.

NorthOne is one of the most competitive business bank accounts for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Their combination of services and offerings, the fast application process, and customer support create an outsized competitive advantage for both the bank and its customers. Every small business owner understands how critical that is for success.

Open an account today!

Acorns is making a name as a place to invest money for the long term, but what we really like is that they offer both checking and savings accounts. Best of all, Acorns doesn’t use ChexSystems or a credit report to approve accounts! That makes Acorns Spend another of our favorite second chance checking accounts. As a company built to compete with the largest banks, Acorns offers some extraordinary benefits.

We love the heavy metal tungsten Visa debit card and the world-class smartphone app that allows you to manage every aspect of your new checking account such as budgeting, spending, and security.

Another nice option is the ability to round up on every purchase and Acorns will take that money and automatically put it in a savings account. This really helps build a nest egg.

It takes about 2-3 minutes to sign up and not only do you get a checking and savings account, but you also have access to an investment account once you’re ready to consider that. And, it’s free.

Here’s more:

• FREE Visa® debit card
• FREE bank-to-bank transfers
• FREE physical check sending online or through the mobile app
• FREE mobile check deposits
• FREE or reimbursed ATM withdrawals nationwide
• NO minimum balance of overdraft fees
• NO credit check; ChexSystems OK
• FDIC insured

There is a $3 monthly fee that is easily covered by the ATM fee reimbursement and other goodies included with the account. To get the $75 bonus, all you have to do is set up Acorns Spend as your direct deposit method with your employer and receive 2 direct deposits of at least $250 each ($500 total).

If you’ve struggled with poor credit or ChexSystems, Acorns might be the perfect account.

Get An Acorns Account!

Current is another web-only national bank that has some really great features… and has become one of the fastest-growing checking accounts for consumers who want it all without all the costs and hassles.

Why are we featuring Current on our website? It’s simple: they don’t use ChexSystems or your credit report to open a new account. Sign-up takes about 2 minutes and Current has extremely high acceptance rates. But what’s really cool are the incredible features offered with this account:

• NO minimum balance
• NO deposit required to open an account
• NO overdraft fees when you overdraw by up to $100 with Overdrive™
• NO fees at over 40,000 ATMS in the U.S.
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit
• Earn 4.0% interest on your balance up to $6,000
• Earn points for unlimited cashback at participating retailers
• Send money instantly for free
• An elegant but simple smartphone app
• 24/7 member support

Current offers a really unique service it calls Gas Hold Removals. What’s a gas hold? Some gas stations may apply a hold from $50 to $100 when you use a debit card to pump gas. If you only pumped $10 of gas, but the gas station places a $100 hold on your funds, you won’t have access to the $90 difference for up to 3 business days! The Current debit card will immediately refund the hold so you have access to all your funds. We haven’t found that benefit anywhere in the marketplace.

Here’s what’s really important, though. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to the highest possible amount allowed: $250,000. We love the features, we love the smartphone app, and we love Current. That makes us think you’ll love them too.

Get a Current Account Now!
Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Members FDIC.

The SoFi Money Checking Account is offered by SoFi Bank. It’s a checking and savings account on steroids and we love that. Plus, they don’t use ChexSystems to approve accounts.

You get a debit MasterCard and a very slick smartphone app. You can make deposits, write checks, utilize electronic bill pay, and transfer money. There are no monthly fees or overdraft fees. Plus, you earn interest on all the money in the account! The sign-up process can take less than 60 seconds. With over 2.5 million members, SoFi is a bank you can count on!

The $325 bonus comes in two parts. When you deposit at least $10, SoFi will credit your account $25. When you set up direct deposit from an employer, SoFi will credit your account $300 and bump the interest rate you earn to 1.25% APY. The bonus and interest rate are some of the highest we’ve seen.

• No account fees
• No minimum balance
• No fees at over 55,000 ATMs
• Access to SoFi member benefits like career coaching and financial advising
• Automated bill pay
• Freeze debit card on-the-go

SoFi Money has been great! The account was easy to open and I got my debit card a few days later. The smartphone app is easy to use and I can check everything from my computer, too. I’ve had some issues with ChexSystems in the past and SoFi Money seems to be the perfect account.

Gena M., SoFi Money Customer

Get a SoFi Account Now!

Aspiration is a socially and environmentally conscious company that can help you make more sustainable choices — while making the most of your money. Their Spend & Save account combines both checking and savings and opening an account takes just a couple of minutes. Aspiration does not use ChexSystems or your credit report to open an account.

Free or Monthly Fee – You Choose

With an Aspiration account, you decide how much your monthly fee will be — starting at $0. Through its “Pay What Is Fair” model, the company trusts customers to choose a monthly fee that’s fair for your wallet and fairly reflects the service you get from Aspiration. You can change your fee at any time.

For $7.99 per month, you can also choose to become an Aspiration Plus member and earn extra perks: 5% APY interest on savings, 10% cashback on certain purchases, and a debit card made of recycled ocean plastic.

Whichever account you choose, there are no minimum balance requirements. There are no fees at over 55,000 ATMs and no fees for paper checks you receive when you open the account. You can’t overdraft on your Spend & Save Account, so you don’t have to worry about overdraft fees, either.

If you set up direct deposit, your money will get to your account up to 2 days early. There is a $10 opening deposit required.

Do Well. Do Good.

Aspiration has created a banking experience they hope will match your environmental values. This includes a pledge that deposits won’t fund fossil fuel exploration or production and providing a personal impact score to help you shop to match your values. Another cool feature we like is that with every “round up” purchase you make, Aspiration will plant a tree.

If you upgrade to the Aspiration Plus account, there are a host of “Planet Protection” features. For example, Aspiration will provide carbon offsets to match the calculated carbon output for every gas purchase you make. You’ll get 10% cash back on purchases from the “Conscience Coalition” which includes retailers such as Blue Apron, Warby Parker, Imperfect Foods, and Toms.

This is the only banking product we’ve reviewed that offers the opportunity for members to spend and save with an environmentally friendly purpose.

Banking Your Way

There’s a lot to like about Aspiration: With NO ChexSystems and NO credit check, getting an account is easy and the smartphone and online apps are beautifully organized. Plus, you get rewarded for spending smarter and making an impact on your own carbon footprint.

Open an Aspiration 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 eStatement enrollment
• Bill pay and money order services

You can find 1st Convenience Bank locations in multiple cities across Arizona, including Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and several others.

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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

This Arizona-based credit union has one branch in Phoenix and another branch in Litchfield Park for your convenience.

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America First Credit Union is a non-ChexSystems bank that utilizes your Experian credit report to determine if you’re eligible for an account. Their Classic Checking account is designed to be a quick and easy way to manage your money.

We like the Classic Checking account because it has no monthly fees and no low-balance fees. If you find yourself needing to keep a close eye on your finances, America First CU has you covered with their Money Manager tool that will help you track your spending habits as well as access to your FICO Credit Score.

Give them a call or visit one of their branches in Tempe, Mesa, Tolleson, St. Johns, or Page to get started!

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Rather than referring to your ChexSystems record, Armed Forces Bank will refer to a credit report and Certegy check services to determine if you’re eligible for an account. If you only have issues with ChexSystems, there’s a good chance you will be approved.

We like their Access Checking account because it provides all of the banking necessities while remaining affordable. The account comes with digital banking access, free eStatements, a free Visa debit card, and overdraft protection services. To waive the moderate $10 monthly service charge, you just need to enroll in direct deposit.

To get started, all you will need is $25 for an initial deposit. As the name may suggest, Armed Forces Bank offers accounts to anyone who is actively enrolled or retired from the U.S. Army. You can find branches located in El Mirage, Fort Huachuca, Glendale, Luke AFB, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Yuma.

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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 Checking 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

With over a dozen branch locations across the state, you can find a Bank of the West in Globe, Miami, Coolidge, Tucson, Winslow, Oro Valley, and several other cities.

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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!

You can find Banner Federal in several major cities in Arizona including Mesa, Phoenix, and Glendale.

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For customers with past financial difficulties, BOK Financial offers their Opportunity Checking account. Designed to be a checkless account, this option 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

Visit one of their five branches in Arizona in Phoenix (3), Mesa (1), or Gilbert (1) to get started with Opportunity Checking!

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Cochise Credit Union may be a good option for you if your credit history is more favorable than your banking history. If you didn’t already guess, they utilize a credit report in lieu of ChexSystems to determine if you’re eligible for an account.

With their Share Draft Checking account, you won’t need to worry about any monthly service charges or minimum balance requirements. We like this account because you’ll be able to earn dividends if your account balance is over $50! They also include a free Visa debit card, unlimited check writing, and free bill pay.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of Cochise CU, visit their website to see a list of eligible zip codes and employers. You can also join if you’re related to a current member. Their only office is located in Willcox.

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Coconino Federal Credit Union is said to be more lenient with ChexSystems and will allow those with a record to get an account as long as there is only one item and has been paid. If this sounds like a possibility for you, we recommend their Adventure Checking account.

This account doesn’t require any minimum opening deposit and includes a few nice perks like bill pay and smartphone banking capabilities. For a modest monthly service charge of $6, this account is a low-cost checking option that can be a great first step in reestablishing positive banking history.

Coconino FCU is Arizona-based and has branch locations in Flagstaff and Page.

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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 account option 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 access
• Potential account upgrades after one year

You can find Copper State locations in and around the Phoenix area, including Anthem, Glendale, Goodyear, Payson, and Surprise.

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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.

Although CAFCU only has one branch located in Peoria, you can visit any of their co-op shared branches across the state for all of your banking needs.

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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

FACCU has two Arizona branches in Casa Grande and Sells. They also have a branch in New Mexico right along the state border in Tse Bonito.

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If you want a no-frills checking account, we really like the Free Checking account from First Citizens Bank. They have branches in Chandler, Scottsdale, and Tucson.

The account comes with a Visa debit card, digital banking, and 24/7 mobile deposits. There’s no minimum balance and no monthly fees if you’re enrolled in paperless statements.

The Free Checking account allows you to send and receive money with Zelle® between friends, family, and people you trust no matter where they bank in the U.S. You can also link your debit card to digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Samsung Pay®.

Setting up an account is easy and you will need to make a $50 minimum initial deposit to get started.

Open An Account

GO2bank is an offering of pre-paid card giant GoBank and we think it’s a step in the right direction. Like some of the newer “challenger banks” GO2bank will deposit your direct deposit check up to 2 days early and has cashback rewards on several categories of purchases. This account also makes you eligible for the GO2bank credit card, which has no annual fee or required credit check.

One significant drawback to many online-only bank accounts is that they have no way to accept cash deposits. But GO2bank accepts cash deposits at over 90,000 Green Dot locations nationwide. However, participating retailers may charge you a fee.

If you direct deposit over $500, your monthly maintenance fee of $5.00 is waived. And, they offer a pretty sweet overdraft protection program, but it has a gotcha charge of $15 if you don’t replace the funds within 24 hours.

Account-holders will appreciate the ability to budget their money with the help of a mobile app, budgeting tools, and a savings vault. In fact, they pay 1% on all money in the saving vault up to $5,000.

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Great Western Bank is known to be more lenient with ChexSystems and will allow those with a record to open an account if a few requirements are met. In order to be eligible, you must only have one item on your ChexSystems report that has been resolved for over a year.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, we recommend their Free Checking account. All you’ll need is a $50 opening deposit to get started. From that point, there are no monthly service fees and you gain access to over 35,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Free Checking also comes with a debit card and smartphone banking capabilities.

You can find Great Western Bank branches all across Arizona in Chandler, Coolidge, Scottsdale, Maricopa, and several other major cities.

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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

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LendingClub Banking, formerly Radius Bank, has a second chance checking account called Essential Checking. It’s an FDIC-insured checking account designed to help you manage your money with powerful technology and limited fees. Available to residents in all 50 states.

• Free MasterCard® debit card
• Free mobile banking with check deposit
• Free online banking with bill pay
• $10 minimum deposit to open account
• Monthly service charge of $9.00
• No minimum balance
• Ability to upgrade account after 12 months of responsible banking

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Lili was custom made for freelancers and independent contractors who are operating as sole proprietors and single member LLCs and we really like their offering. Lili aims to approve most accounts within 2-3 days, but some accounts are approved in 2-3 hours.

Lili offers a checking account and Visa debit card with no initial deposit or minimum balance requirement, no hidden fees, no credit check, and no ChexSystems. Lili makes getting your account easy! Here’s more of what we like:

• FREE business VISA debit card
• FREE (and very user-friendly) mobile app
• NO minimum balance
• NO NSF charges or fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems
• Receive direct deposit funds 2 days earlier than many banks
• Mobile check deposit
• Unlimited fee-free transactions
• Takes 3 minutes to apply

Integrated Tools

The Lili smartphone app gives you access to tools to manage your expenses and taxes. You assign a category for each expense by swiping left for “life” or personal expenses and right for “work” or business. You can also add receipts to transactions, download quarterly and annual expense reports, and track spending in real-time. Lili will automatically assign an expense category based on the merchant, but allows you to edit the category as needed.

Buckets

Lili has an optional feature called “buckets” that allows you to set aside money in a savings account. The first of these is called a “Tax Bucket”, where you specify a percentage of your direct deposits you want to be saved for future tax payments. You can easily make adjustments and changes along the way and move the money back and forth from your checking account and tax bucket savings account. That way, you know the money will be there when you need to make tax payments.

The second of these buckets is called the Emergency Savings Bucket. You can automatically transfer at least $1 a day to this savings account to use for any larger purchase or unforeseen expense.

Robust for Most

Lili is best for small business owners who want a no-frills, no cost, no minimum balance bank account. You can run all your business and personal expenses through the account and can easily identify and separate them out for accounting and tax purposes. After your account is set up, you can add a business name or DBA name to the account. And you manage everything from the touch of your smartphone.

But there are some limits, too. Lili doesn’t offer checks and you can’t set up your account with an employer identification number. Depositing cash at Green Dot locations can cost up to $4.95 and mobile check deposits are limited to $6,000 per month.

Lili Pro

Lili recently announced a new set of features called Lili Pro. The cost is $4.99 per month and includes a no-fee overdraft up to $200 on debit card purchases and a robust and unlimited invoicing capability built into the smartphone app. On top of that, users receive 1.00% APY on savings account balances and a more robust expense tracking capability. The Pro version also offers cashback when you make purchases at over 14,000 merchants. If you’re not sure you want to sign up for Lili Pro, get Lili Standard (no cost) and you can upgrade later.

Application Process

You can set up an account online. If you’re a freelancer, you should receive approval and account access almost instantly. If you’re a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, approval can take a couple of days. You can fund your account using a mobile check deposit, direct deposit, ACH transfer, or by linking your Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App account.

Lili is open for business. Anyone who is their own boss: a sole proprietor, gigsters (ie. Uber and Lyft drivers), contractors, freelancers, or part-time entrepreneurs – you all qualify! Whether you opt for the fee-free Lili Standard account or the upgraded Lili Pro account, we think you’re going to like the way Lili helps you manage your growing business!

Open a Lili account now!

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

MariSol FCU is an Arizona-based credit union and has two physical branches in Phoenix. They also have fee-free ATMs located in Phoenix, Mesa, and Surprise.

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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

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One of the most important steps to taking your business to the next level is the need to set up a business bank account. And if you get the right business account, it can give your growing business all the tools much larger businesses enjoy… without all the big business costs.

Novo understands small business owners and makes it easy to open and manage an account. As an online-only bank, you’ll find Novo strikes the right balance between technology, human touch, and real-world benefits. Here are some of our favorite features for Novo Business Checking:

• NO monthly fees
• NO minimum balance requirement
• NO ATM fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems
• FREE Mastercard debit card
• FREE mobile app
• FREE transfers, mailed checks, and incoming wires
• FREE invoicing to create, send, and track invoices
• FREE mobile check deposit

Business Banking Made Easy

There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, no incoming wire fees, and no transaction fees with Novo. Novo even refunds all ATM fees. You’ll never be charged for incoming or outgoing ACH transfers, debit card replacements, paper statements, or stop payments.

If you’d like, Novo will send free paper checks for your use. You can also use the app to have checks mailed out. The gotcha with paper checks is that if you don’t have enough money to cover the check, Novo will charge a fee of $27 for insufficient funds. And if you deposit a check from a customer that doesn’t clear, you’ll get whacked for $27.

Novo doesn’t allow you to deposit cash. Instead, you’ll have to use vendors such as USPS, Walmart, and grocery stores to exchange your cash for a money order. Then you can use the mobile check deposit feature to deposit the money order. Novo may not be the right business account for you if your business deals with a lot of cash.

Business Tools

You can manage your account from your computer or the Novo smartphone app. This allows you to avoid the hassle of visiting a physical bank. And the Novo Reserves budgeting tool allows you to set aside funds in your checking account for expenses such as payroll or taxes.

We especially like their fully integrated invoicing feature which allows freelancers and contractors to send and manage unlimited invoices. You can make payments by ACH transfer and if you are using the Novo Stripe integration you can accept payments through your Stripe account.

Novo seamlessly integrates with popular business tools such as Stripe, Shopify, Zapier, Quickbooks, and Xero. You can also connect Square, Wave, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Discounts

Novo has a program called Novo Perks that gives you perks on wide range of business software and services such as Stripe, Quickbooks, Gusto, Google, Hubspot, Booking.com, and many more. For example, you can get $20,000 in fee-free credit card processing with Stripe.

Application Process

It takes about 10 minutes to sign up for a Novo account. You’ll need personal and business information, which may include a social security number, business tax ID, and business formation documents. They do not check your credit or use ChexSystems.

Novo is growing quickly. Their offering is popular with small business owners. The account approval process is currently taking 1-2 business days and once you’re approved, you can get full access to your account with a simple $50 deposit.

We like Novo. We think you’ll like it, too.

Open an account today!

It is said that OneAZ Credit Union will not pull your ChexSystems record if you apply for an account in-person. Instead, they use EWS to verify your identity and previous banking history. If you haven’t been reported to EWS but have been reported to ChexSystems, this credit union may be a great option for you.

We recommend their Free Checking account because it’s actually free! After the low $20 needed as an opening deposit, you won’t have to deal with any maintenance fees or surprise hidden fees. You’ll also get access to over 41,000 surcharge-free ATM’s – which never hurts.

Membership at OneAZ CU is extended to any Arizona resident and only requires a $5 deposit into a savings account. You can find a branch location in most major cities including Chino Valley, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and many others.

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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 can find Pima FCU locations primarily in Tucson, with additional branch locations in Springerville, Oro Valley, and Green Valley.

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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 and a steep $20 monthly service charge, the Mission Checking account is suited 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

As the name of this credit union would imply, both branches are located in Tucson.

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UNIFY Financial Credit Union understands that sometimes life isn’t perfect. Their Right Start Checking account 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

Although UNIFY FCU only has one branch in Tempe, you will also gain access to several CO-OP shared branches in Payson, Apache Junction, and Mesa where you can conduct all of your in-person banking needs.

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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 a fast and secure online application. If you prefer to apply in person, Arizona has branches in most major cities like Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and many others.

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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

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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

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If you have a ChexSystems record but your credit score is still intact, Western State Bank offers several checking account options. We like the Free Checking account because it doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement and refunds ATM fees up to $20 per month.

Western State Bank encourages those interested in getting an account to meet with a personal banker to discuss their financial goals. They can point you in the right direction and help you get a good head start on rebuilding positive banking history.

Visit one of their branches in Chandler, Casa Grande, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Sun City to get started!

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