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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut that can assist you.
List of the Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Connecticut
Chime is a fast-growing internet-only financial company. 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.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 credit bureaus. This makes Chime a solid choice for a second chance bank account.
Features include mobile deposits, direct deposit, online bill payment, NO monthly or annual fees, NO overdrafts, NO credit check, and NO CheckSystems.
Here are a few of the highlights:
- FREE Visa® debit card
- NO monthly Service Charge
- NO monthly minimums
- NO credit check; Bad credit OK
- NO ChexSystems or Telecheck; guaranteed approval
- FREE online banking and mobile banking/deposits
- FREE mobile and online bill pay
- NO foreign transaction fees
- NO fees at over 60,000 ATMs at convenient locations like Walgreens, 7-Eleven, CVS and more
- SAVINGS: You can round up every purchase to the nearest dollar and automatically deposit that difference into your savings account.
Chime Lets You Get A Jump On Payday
You can receive your paycheck up to two days earlier than at a traditional bank if you set up direct deposit — Chime processes your employer’s check immediately instead of waiting like other banks may.
Chime is one of the most friendly for those who have been negatively impacted by bad credit, ChexSystems, or Telecheck.
Your Chime Visa Debit Card charges NO fees at over 60,000 ATMs found at these retailers and many more:
Get a Chime Account Today!
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
The SoFi Money Cash Management Account is offered by SoFi Securities LLC, a FINRA registered broker dealer. It’s a checking account on steroids and we love that. Plus, they don’t use ChexSystems to approve accounts. When you sign up and deposit at least $10 within 5 days, SoFi will deposit an additional $25 in your account immediately!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.
There is no minimum balance requirement and SoFi Money is available in all 50 states.
- No account fees
- Unlimited reimbursed ATM fees
- 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
We highly recommend Affinity Federal Credit Union if you’ve had trouble getting a checking account in the past. They don’t use ChexSystems or a credit score when you apply for an account. All that you’ll need to provide are two forms of ID, one being government-issued.Once you’re approved as a member, you’ll be able to get an Affinity Cash Back Debit account. There is no minimum opening deposit, no minimum balance requirements, and no monthly fees if you opt for eStatements! Plus, you’ll receive 1% cashback on all the transactions you make with your debit card. We don’t see account features like these every day.
Becoming a member at Affinity FCU is accessible to everyone in the state. If you don’t live within their eligible communities, all you have to do is donate $5 to one of their financial literacy organizations. The Connecticut branches are in Norwalk and New Haven.
Are you looking for features that will help you to responsibly manage money and overcome past mistakes? If so, a Safe Check account from City National Bank could be the right option for you. This traditional checking account alternative will track what you spend as well as what you take in to help you gain a greater understanding of the flow of money in your account.For a low $5 monthly maintenance fee, the Safe Check account features a debit card, ATM access, online banking, bill payment, and mobile access to help you get the most out of your banking experience.
City National Bank doesn’t have any physical branch locations in Connecticut, but they do offer services to all residents of the state. You can find several branches in New York; five in New York City and one in Melville.
Community Credit Union of New Milford is known to be more lenient with ChexSystems and will accept those with a record if they meet a few requirements. To be considered, all items on your report must be paid and not indicate fraud.Their Share Draft Checking account is a simple, bare-bones account that comes with the necessities. You’ll get access to a debit MasterCard and their online banking services. We like this account because it doesn’t have any monthly service charges if you enroll in eStatements.
As this credit union’s name would suggest, membership is extended to anyone who lives, works, or worships in New Milford and its neighboring communities.
A checking account with CorePlus Credit Union can be obtained even if you have a history with ChexSystems. Like a lot of banking institutions, they are known to be more lenient when screening new applicants. If all items on your report are paid off and you don’t have any indication of fraudulent activity, there’s a good chance you’ll get an account.If you use direct deposit, we recommend the Free Checking account. It requires a $250 monthly direct deposit, but includes a free MasterCard debit card and doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement. If you don’t use direct deposit services, they offer a Simple Checking account that offers similar perks.
CorePlus CU offers membership to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in various counties in Connecticut. Visit their website or one of their branches in East Lyme, Mashantucket, Groton, Norwich, Pawcatuck, Plainfield, or Waterford to learn more!
The Fresh Start Checking account offered by Corporate American Family Credit Union is ideal for people who have had difficulties maintaining a positive checking history. This option gives people the chance to rebuild their accounts, regardless of if you do not qualify for a standard checking account, helping you to clean up your overall checking history. To qualify for this account:- You must be a member of Corporate American Family Credit Union
- Maintain a minimum balance of $100 in your Regular Share Account
- Pay a monthly fee of $10
CAFCU has one branch location in Bristol. They also are in-network with dozens of CO-OP shared branches throughout the state where you’re able to handle all of your in-person banking needs.
Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank offers a Restart Checking account for those with a ChexSystems history as long as there is no money owed and no indication of fraud. If this suits your situation, all that is needed to open this account is $25.Restart Checking comes with unlimited check writing, four free ATM withdrawals each statement cycle, and a low $6.95 monthly service fee. After 12 months of good standing, you can request to be upgraded to another checking account at Eastern CT Savings Bank.
Visit one of their locations in Norwich, Norwichtown, Jewett City, or Plainfield to get started with re-establishing your banking history!
Enfield Community Credit Union is another banking institution that is known to be more lenient with ChexSystems. As long as all items are paid and there is no indication of fraud, you should be able to get an account.If you use direct deposit services, we recommend the Credit Union Exclusive account. It’s a free checking account, so you won’t need to worry about pesky monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. If you do not use direct deposit, the Regular Checking account only has a $5 monthly service fee that can be waived if a $100 balance is maintained.
All accounts with Enfield Community CU come with a Visa debit card and overdraft services. Stop by their location in Enfield to open a checking account!
FineX Credit Union offers a fresh start to those who’ve been turned down for a checking account in the past with Re-Start Checking. To be eligible, you must only have one item on your ChexSystems record that is $500 or less and occurred over a year ago.It’s important to note that Re-Start Checking is quite a bit more restrictive than other checking accounts offered at FineX CU. Direct deposit is required and there is a $200 daily spending limit for all ATM/debit transactions. In turn, this account offers unlimited check writing and charges a moderate monthly service fee of $15.
Membership is extended to anyone who lives, works, or worships in Hartford or Tolland county. You can apply for this account online or visit one of their offices in East Hartford, Manchester, or Vernon.
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.
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
If you’ve been turned down for a checking account in the past, Hartford Federal Credit Union has you covered with their 2nd Chance Checking account. Like a lot of credit unions, you’re required to open a savings account first and maintain a balance of $50 or more.For a low monthly service fee of $5, you can enjoy a few nice account features like unlimited check writing and a smartphone banking app. After a period of good use, you’ll be able to upgrade your 2nd Chance Checking account to a Classic Checking account that is fee-free.
If you live, work, worship, or attend school in Hartford, Tolland, or Middlesex counties, you’re eligible to become a member. Call or visit Hartford FCU in South Windsor, West Simsbury, Newington, Stafford, or Hartford to determine if you qualify for an account!
Depending on the severity of your ChexSystems record, Jewett City Savings Bank may be a viable option for you. If all debts are paid and there is no history of fraud, you’ll likely be approved for an account.We like their Free Checking account for its simplicity and convenience. This no-frills account won’t charge you any monthly service fees and doesn’t have any transaction limits or balance requirements. It also comes with the necessities like online banking and eStatements.
Jewett City Savings Bank locations are scattered along the east side of Connecticut in Brooklyn, Dayville, Jewett City, Pawcatuck, Plainfield, Preston, and Putnam.
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
If you’re looking to quickly re-establish a positive banking relationship, New Haven Bank may be able to help you out. They offer a Second Chance Checking account that will allow you to upgrade to a standard account after just 6 months of good standing!To get started with an account, there is a $25 required opening deposit, a $10 opening fee, and a moderate $10 monthly service charge. In turn, you’ll get an ATM card, access to thousands of fee-free Allpoint Network ATMs, and online banking services.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, give New Haven Bank a call or visit their branch located on Whalley Avenue to get started!
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.
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 all items on your ChexSystems record are paid and there is no indication of fraud, you’re likely to be able to get an account at Seasons Federal Credit Union. Among their several appealing checking accounts, we like Kasasa Cash Checking the best.This account is truly a bang for your buck, meaning it’s a low-cost account that is loaded with nice features. There are no monthly service fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no minimum deposit to open the account. In turn, you’re able to earn interest on any balance in your account plus receive refunds on ATM fees up to $25 per month!
Seasons FCU offers membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of 10 eligible counties. Visit their website or one of their branches located in Middletown or Meriden to see if this would be a good fit for you.
Sikorsky Credit Union uses ChexSystems but are known to be more lenient and accept new clients based on the severity of the report. If you’ve paid off all items and there’s no indication of fraud on your report, you may be able to get an account.We recommend the Free Checking account if you’re looking for a hassle-free account to serve your daily needs. After an initial $25 to open the account, you won’t need to worry about any monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. They also offer an education program called Checking Navigator to help you get the most out of your account.
To be eligible for membership, you must live, work, worship, or volunteer in New Haven, Fairfield, or Hartford county. You can find Sikorsky CU locations in Bridgeport, Brookfield, Milford, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull.
Tobacco Valley Teachers Federal Credit Union offers a second chance to those who have been denied a checking account due to past credit mis-haps with their myChance Checking account. This is a great option for those who have a ChexSystems record and negative credit history.We like myChance Checking because you’re able to upgrade to another account after 12 months of good standing. It’s always nice to know you’re able to keep improving your financial standing even after obtaining a checking account. It is also important to note that there is a recurring $10 monthly service fee until you upgrade to a fee-free account.
To become a member, you’ll need to live, work, or attend school within their field of membership and deposit $25 into a savings account. Visit their website or their physical location in Enfield to find out if you’re eligible!
Rather than going through ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS to determine your eligibility for an account, US Alliance Financial only requires a government-issued ID and social security card. This is definitely worth a try for anyone who has a negative history with one or more of the previous agencies.We like their MyLife Checking account because it comes with a bunch of great features while avoiding pesky service fees. In addition to a Visa debit card and a free first order of checks, you’ll also receive a free monthly credit score to track your finances. Our favorite feature of this account is that you’re able to get paid up to two days early if you enroll in direct deposit!
To get started, visit their website or one of their two Connecticut branches both located in New Haven. They also have a few branches located nearby in Port Chester and Purchase, New York.
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.
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
For those looking to move on from past financial management issues, the Opportunity Checking account with Webster Bank is the perfect opportunity. This account requires a simple minimum opening deposit of $50 as well as a recurring $11.95 monthly maintenance fee with a qualifying direct deposit.Opening your own Opportunity Checking account is as easy as visiting your nearest Webster Bank branch. Upon opening, you’ll be given access to many account benefits including paperless statements, online and mobile banking, and a free Visa debit card
Webster Bank branches can be found throughout much of the northeastern United States. In Connecticut, all three branches are located in Waterbury.
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 of The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Connecticut? Has there been a change in any of the listings? Please let us know.