If you’ve applied for a checking account and have been turned away because of a negative banking history, you are not alone. The majority of banks and credit unions in the U.S. use a consumer reporting agency called ChexSystems that will blacklist you from opening an account at other banks that also use ChexSystems.
You most likely have a report with ChexSystems if you’ve experienced things like involuntary account closures or unpaid debts at previous banking institutions. Once you’ve been reported to ChexSystems, it can be difficult to find a bank in Connecticut that will give you a second chance.
Fortunately, there are great account options out there if you know where to look. We’ve compiled a database of the best banks in Connecticut that offer second chance checking accounts that are designed for those that have experienced past banking mistakes. There are also banks that do not use ChexSystems at all during the application process that allow you to get the checking account you deserve.
Here are our top recommendations for anyone trying to get back into the banking system without having to sacrifice the benefits of a traditional checking account.
Second Chance Banking in Connecticut for November 2023
Open an account today!
Most people know Chase and with over 15,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches across the country, the Chase Secure Banking account might be a good fit for a second chance bank account.
Chase Secure Banking at a Glance
- NO credit check
- NO ChexSystems
- NO minimum deposit to open
- NO overdraft fees
- FREE access to over 15,000 Chase ATMs
- FREE Chase Online Bill Pay
- FREE money orders and cashier’s checks
What to Know About the Approval Process
Opening the Chase Secure Banking account has some important qualifiers. First, Chase verifies your name, address, and social security through Experian, but doesn’t pull a credit report or credit score. Chase doesn’t use ChexSystems for this account, but the bank does use Early Warning Services (EWS). Additionally, if you’ve had an account closed by Chase in the past, your application will not be approved. Past account closures can include missteps such as non-payment of fees, excessive overdrafts, or suspected fraud.
Finally, Chase gives you the opportunity to open your new account online or by taking a printable coupon to a branch location. We strongly recommend you apply online as branch locations have been known to use ChexSystems during the approval process.
Fees
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. You should also know that using non-Chase ATMs can cost from $3.00 to $5.00 per transaction.
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.
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 Account Now!
Current offers an innovative account to consumers who want it all without the costs and hassles.
The Current Build account works just like a checking account but also helps you build credit every time you use the card. Sign-up takes about 2 minutes and Current has extremely high acceptance rates.
Current at a Glance
- NO credit check
- NO minimum balance
- NO deposit required to open an account
- 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% APY on your balance up to $6,000 with direct deposit; earn 0.25% APY without
- Earn points for unlimited cashback at participating retailers
- Send money instantly for free
- An elegant but simple smartphone app
- 24/7 member support
- FDIC insured account up to $250,000
Swipe The Card and Build Credit
Using your Current Build account to BUILD your credit is simple. Here’s how it works:- You add money to your account
- Swipe your card to make purchases, pay bills, or get money from an ATM machine
- The funds in your account pay for these transactions
- Current reports your payment to build your credit history
Current Works Hard for You
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 your 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 Build card will immediately refund the hold so you have access to all your funds. We haven’t found that benefit anywhere in the marketplace.
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!
Fast-growing Chime® is one of our favorite checking accounts. The account has some amazing features and 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.
Chime at a Glance
- NO credit check or ChexSystems
- NO initial deposit required
- NO minimum balance required
- NO monthly or annual fees
- NO NSF/overdraft fees1
- NO foreign transaction fees
- NO fees at over 60,000 ATMs2
- NO fees for mobile and online bill pay
- FREE cash deposits at 8,500+ Walgreens
- Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit3
- FDIC insured account up to $250,000
Deposit Cash for FREE at Over 8,500 Walgreens
Chime has made depositing cash 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.4
Instantly Transfer Funds
You can transfer funds to friends and family, Chime members or not… and they can claim their money instantly5 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 400,000 customers have given the app a 5-star review.
Savings Made Easy
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 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)6 in interest on that savings account.
Customers First
If you use direct deposit with your Chime account, you can get your paycheck up to 2 days early7. And Chime is just saying no to big bank NSF charges with a fee-free overdraft program up to $200.
We don’t think there is another company innovating for their customers like Chime.
Get a Chime Account Today!
The SoFi Checking & Savings account is offered by SoFi Bank. It’s a checking AND savings account and we love that. Plus, they don’t use ChexSystems or your credit report 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. You don’t need to make an opening deposit to get an account and SoFi never charges monthly maintenance fees. You’ll have access to a large and fee-free ATM network along with a generous cashback program.
Using the SoFi direct deposit option unlocks additional benefits. First, if you overspend a bit, SoFi will cover up to $50 with no overdraft fees. Second, you’ll receive a much higher interest amount of 4.60% APY on savings account balances and .50% APY on checking account balances.
If you decide not to utilize direct deposit, you’ll receive 1.20% APY on savings balances. And finally, when you set up direct deposit from an employer, SoFi will credit your account up to $275 (depending on the amount of your direct deposit).
The sign-up process can take less than 60 seconds. With over 6 million members, SoFi is a bank you can count on!
SoFi 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 seems to be the perfect bank.
Claire M., SoFi Customer
Get a SoFi Account Now!
NorthOne is a fast-growing company built specifically around business banking solutions for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. In addition to 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 40,000 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.
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.
Open a NorthOne Account Today!
KeyBank’s Key Smart Checking® is a no monthly maintenance fee checking account that offers access to 1,000 branch locations and 40,000+ ATMs fee-free. KeyBank has a popular smartphone app with strong customer ratings on both Apple and Android devices. The account is FDIC insured.
Earn a $200 Cash Bonus
When you open a new Key Smart Checking® account before December 8, 2023 and make one direct deposit of at least $500 within the first 60 days of account opening, you’ll receive a $200 bonus deposited directly to your account within 90 days of meeting requirements. Your account must not be closed or restricted during the time of the promotional period. There is a $10 minimum deposit to open an account, but no monthly minimum balance requirement.
A Smartphone App Built for You
The app allows you to set custom alerts, lock or unlock your debit card, deposit checks, and much more:
- Easily send or receive money through Zelle®
- Mobile payments with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay
- View and download up to 7 years of statements
- Never miss a payment with online bill pay
- Sign on with fingerprint or face ID
- Locate branch or ATM locations
- Order paper checks
EasyUp Makes Savings a Snap
Once you’ve opened your Key Smart Checking® account, you can add a free Key Active Saver savings account. EasyUp is a free feature that allows you to automatically save an amount that works for you – from 10¢ to $5 – every time you make a debit card purchase. Send it directly to your KeyBank savings account and let it grow, or to a company to pay down debt faster. The choice is yours, and you can change it anytime.
Our Verdict
While the Key Smart Checking® account is our favorite, the bank offers additional checking accounts that may more closely fit your needs. Best of all, you can get an account today!
Get a KeyBank Account Now!
Acorns offers some strong 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 you get both a checking and savings account. 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 access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
- NO minimum balance or overdraft fees
- NO credit check
- $3 monthly fee
- FDIC insured
Acorns was built to give everyone the tools to manage their finances which makes it one of our top picks.
Learn More
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.
Ally Bank has been one of the most highly rated online banks for the past several years. It’s not because they have the most features, but because they consistently make their customers delighted with the features the bank offers.
For starters, there’s no minimum opening deposit required. Ally doesn’t charge any monthly maintenance fee and there is no overdraft fee (more on that below). You’ll have access to 43,000+ ATMs and Ally will reimburse you up to $10 per statement cycle if you get charged for using another institution’s machine.
You’ll become eligible for Ally’s overdraft program called CoverDraft 30 days after depositing a total of $100. Ally will activate CoverDraft automatically and send you an email when they do. You can turn CoverDraft off at any time, as long as your account balance isn’t negative. Otherwise, Ally will decline the transaction without payment. In either case, you won’t be charged an overdraft fee.
We like that you can use Zelle to send and receive money, get paid up to 2 days sooner with early direct deposit, and deposit checks remotely with Ally eCheck Deposit. We also like that Ally has high approval rates as long as you don’t have a ChexSystems or EWS fraud alert in your past.
To get the bonus, use code GET200 by Nov. 30, 2023. Make sure to fund your account within 30 days of opening it and set up one or more direct deposits totaling $1,500 within 90 days. Ally will send your bonus within 30 days of your account receiving $1,500 in qualified direct deposits.
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!
Like David slaying Goliath, Dave is taking on big banks and their predatory ways. The Dave checking account is a mobile-centric bank account that doesn’t use ChexSystems or your credit score for account approval.
The only fee Dave charges for the account is a $1 monthly maintenance fee. There are no monthly minimum balance requirements, no overdraft fees, and no fees at over 40,000 MoneyPass® ATMs in 7-Eleven and other spots near you. There’s no opening deposit requirement to get your Dave account either.
If you opt for direct deposit and get paid on a regular basis, Dave will spot you up to $250 if your balance isn’t enough to cover an incoming charge. That feature won’t cost you any fees or interest charges.
Just like a savings account, you can set aside money in “Dave Goals” for any special purpose such as a vacation or car purchase. While you work toward your savings goal, Dave will pay 4.00% APY on your money.
Finally, Dave has partnered with a number of businesses around the country to help accountholders find side gigs. This is a unique feature we’ve not seen with any other checking account. You can find work when you need it, right from the Dave app. Between instant-pay surveys and easy-apply side hustles, there are thousands of ways to get paid.
We like the robust Dave smartphone app. Customers like the app, too. Dave is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store and 4.4 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store.
No. Fees. Period. That’s how Discover Bank promotes its Cashback Debit Checking Account. And, after conducting our research, we can say that’s mostly true. In fact, the only fees you’ll ever incur are for outgoing wire transfers and service charge fees if you use a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in their no-fee network.
As long as there are no past incidences of fraud on your ChexSystems report, Discover might be a great account for you. The only negative? There is no way to deposit cash directly into the account.
Discover Bank® Cashback Debit Checking Account at a Glance
- 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month
- Access to 60,000+ fee-free ATMs; $510 cash withdrawal limit per day
- Fee-free opt-in overdraft protection transfer service
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Send and receive money with Zelle®
- No monthly fee (no balance or activity requirements)
- No fee for insufficient funds
- Mobile check deposits
- No deposit to open
Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank offers an Everyday 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 secured credit card, which has no annual fee and no 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 4.50% on all money in the savings 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.
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!
Lili at a Glance
- 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
- NO fees for incoming wire transfers
- Receive direct deposit funds 2 days earlier than many banks
- Mobile check deposit
- Unlimited fee-free transactions
- Takes 3 minutes to apply
Application Process
You can set up an account online. If you’re a freelancer, you should receive approval and account access almost instantly. All others (Sole Proprietor, Single-Member LLC, Multi-Member LLC, General Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, or S Corp) can take a couple of days to get approved. You can fund your account using a mobile check deposit, direct deposit, ACH transfer, or by linking your Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App account.
Open a Lili account now!
It’s a tall order to “Make People Happy” when it comes to banking, but that’s the stated mission behind mph.bank.
Powered by Liberty Savings Bank (established in 1889!), the mph.bank Fresh account does use ChexSystems, but as long as you don’t have more than 3 charge-offs totaling $1,000 or reports of fraud approval rates are very high. Fees for the account include a $9 monthly service fee and a $10 overdraft fee.
mph.bank Fresh Account at a Glance
- $0 initial deposit to open account
- Send and receive money with Zelle®
- Access your account with your phone or computer
- When coupled with a free savings account, earn up to 5.00% APY
- Optional ability to round up charges and stash the cash into savings
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit
- Access to over 55,000 fee-free ATMs
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!
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
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.
Learn More
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.
Opening an account is easy and Varo doesn’t check your credit or use ChexSystems. Varo doesn’t even require an initial deposit to open an account, either. There are never any monthly maintenance fees, account balance minimums, overdraft fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer fees, or debit card replacement fees.
Varo’s recent bank charter has them innovating more than ever. They have a very strong cashback program, a payroll advance option, and have started to offer their customers a secured credit card called Varo Believe.
Finally, if Varo receives a payroll notification before your payday, it can deposit your money more quickly than many banks.
Want to earn cash back on Walmart purchases – up to $75 each year? Then you might love the Walmart MoneyCard. It’s a debit card that has some strong features such as cashback on Walmart purchases, overdraft protection, interest on your savings, and a mobile app that lets you track your purchases and deposit funds into your account.
Walmart Moneycard at a Glance
- Easy approval: no ChexSystems or credit check
- No initial deposit is required and there are no monthly minimums
- Deposit cash for free at any Walmart store and it shows up 10 minutes later
- Deposit checks using the Walmart MoneyCard smartphone app
- Easily request multiple cards for family use1
- Manage your account from your computer or the smartphone app
- 3% cashback on Walmart.com purchases, 2% cashback for Walmart fuel stations, and 1% cash back for use in-store2
- Earn 2.00% APY on money you set aside in a free savings account3
- With qualifying direct deposits4, you can opt-in and enjoy overdraft protection of up to $200 on eligible purchases5
- No monthly fee when you direct deposit $500+ in the previous monthly period. Otherwise, there’s a $5.94 monthly fee.6
The Walmart MoneyCard is available in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Open an account today!
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
The Capital One 360 Checking Account uses a proprietary approval process that does not include ChexSystems and might be a solid option for those who have had past financial challenges.
Available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Capital One acts more like an online bank than one with over 400 branches in a few states. Its highly-rated smartphone app gives customers full control of their account and you can access everything from a computer, too.
Capital One 360 Checking at a Glance
- No opening deposit is required
- No monthly or annual fees
- No minimum balance and no overdraft fees
- Add cash to your account at CVS® locations.
- No-fee access to over 70,000 ATMs nationwide
- No foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad
- Deposit checks and pay bills with the smartphone app
- Send and receive money with Zelle®
- Early direct deposit feature
- Monitor your credit score with Capital One’s CreditWise feature
- FDIC insured account up to $250,000
The Citi® Access Checking account is a solid option if you’ve been blacklisted by ChexSystems or Early Warning Systems. As long as you haven’t been flagged for fraudulent behavior and don’t owe Citibank an outstanding amount, approval rates for this account are good.
There are no monthly service fees for the first 3 months after opening the account. The $5 monthly service fee can easily be waived after that time by depositing at least $250 per month.
We also like that there are no overdraft or returned item fees because if you don’t have enough money in your account, the item will be returned.
Citibank Access Checking at a Glance
- 65,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Send money to almost anyone with a U.S.-based bank account through Zelle®
- No overdraft or NSF fees
- $5 monthly fee can be waived with $250 in qualified direct deposits
- $0 liability for unauthorized charges
- Available in all 50 states and Washington DC
- No minimum opening deposit
Best Second Chance Banks by State
To find more information and additional options available in your area, select your state from the list below and explore your options.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.
1Eligibility requirements apply. Overdraft only applies to debit card purchases and cash withdrawals. Limits start at $20 and may be increased up to $200 by Chime. See chime.com/spotme.
2Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Cash deposit or other third-party fees may apply.
3Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
4Customers are limited to three $1,000 cash deposits at Walgreens each day and $10,000 each month.
5Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. The recipient must use a valid debit card to claim funds. Once you are approved for a Chime Checking Account, see your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Pay Anyone Transfers details. Please see the back of your Chime debit card for your issuing bank. See Terms and Conditions.
6The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
7Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
1Family Accounts: Activated, personalized card required. Other fees apply to the additional account. Family members age 13 years and over are eligible. Limit 4 cards per account. See Deposit Account Agreement for details.
2Cash back, up to $75 per year, is credited to card balance at end of reward year and is subject to successful activation and other eligibility requirements. Redeem rewards using our website or app. You will earn cash back of three percent (3%) on qualifying purchases made at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app using your card or your card number, two percent (2%) at Walmart fuel stations, and one percent (1%) on qualifying purchases at Walmart stores in the United States (less returns and credits) posted to your Card during each reward year. Grocery delivery and pickup purchases made on Walmart.com or the Walmart app earn 1%. For the purposes of cash back rewards, a “reward year” is twelve (12) monthly periods in which you have paid your monthly fee or had it waived. See account agreement for details.
3Interest is paid annually on each enrollment anniversary based on the average daily balance of the prior 365 days, up to a maximum average daily balance of $1,000, if the account is in good standing and has a positive balance. 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield may change at any time before or after account is opened. Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of 3/1/2022.
4Direct Deposit: Early availability of direct deposit depends on timing of payroll’s payment instructions and fraud prevention restrictions may apply. As such, the availability or timing of early direct deposit may vary from pay period to pay period. Make sure the name and social security number on file with your employer or benefits provider matches what’s on your Walmart MoneyCard account exactly. We will not be able to deposit your payment if we are unable to match recipients.
5Opt-in required. $15 fee may apply to each eligible purchase transaction that brings your account negative. Balance must be brought to at least $0 within 24 hours of authorization of the first transaction that overdraws your account to avoid the fee. We require immediate payment of each overdraft and overdraft fee. Overdrafts paid at our discretion, and we do not guarantee that we will authorize and pay any transaction. Learn more about overdraft protection.
6No monthly fee with qualifying direct deposit, otherwise $5.94 a month. Waived when $500+ is loaded in the previous monthly period. First monthly fee occurs upon first use, the day after card activation or 90 days after card purchase, whichever is earlier.
