Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Florida

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 1.50% 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.

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.

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.

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

For many people, having access to a local bank branch is paramount when setting up a checking account. With over 16,000 ATMs and 4,700 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. 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. 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.

Acorns doesn’t use ChexSystems or a credit report to approve accounts and 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 or reimbursed ATM withdrawals nationwide
• NO minimum balance or 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.

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

Not excluded are those that need a fresh financial start and to start building back their credit. Their Opportunity Checking account is designed specifically for this purpose. As a checking account that builds credit and forgives some past blunders, it is sure to set you on the right track towards financial success. When you do reach that point, they have plenty of other products that should help you as well.

Addition Financial is Florida-based and has dozens of locations in the greater Orlando area including Eustis, Leesburg, Merritt Island, and several other surrounding cities and towns.

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If you need a bit of extra help re-establishing yourself in the banking system, they offer a You Choose Debit Account that won’t let you overdraw your account and leave you with hefty fees. All you’ll need to open the account is $25! Although you won’t have any check-writing capabilities, you will be able to get a free debit card and you won’t have to worry about monthly service fees.

If you live in northwestern Florida, there’s a good chance you’ll find a branch in your area. They have locations in Marianna, DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, Crestview, and Mobile.

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Even so, it is friendly to applicants in general and Ameris offers a variety of checking account options. Its flagship product that will be the most attractive option for many is the Free Checking account. This account is free to own with no monthly fee and no minimum account balance requirements. It offers all the benefits of a modern bank account such as mobile access and online banking and requires a $100 deposit to get started.

Visit their website or visit one of their branches located in Orlando, Winter Garden, Bradenton, Palmetto, Tampa, or Lake Mary to open an account!

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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 their Florida branches located at Macdill Air Force Base (AFB) and Tyndall AFB.

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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.

Here’s a few of the account features:

• NO minimum balance
• NO fees for paper checks
• NO overdraft or NSF fees
• NO credit check or ChexSystems
• NO fees at over 55,000 ATMs in the U.S.
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit

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. That’s a load of benefits!

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

Perhaps the greatest benefit of Axiom Bank is its many locations throughout Florida, which allow you close access to a branch even if you are on the move quite often. Tampa, Palmetto, Winter Haven, Orlando, and Port Orange are just a few cities with convenient branch locations.

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With this account, you’ll also be eligible to level up to a regular checking account in as little as 12 months as long as no more blemishes pop up. This account costs only $5 monthly and requires a $25 deposit to open the account.

With plenty of locations, it will be easy to find a branch when needed. BancorpSouth has six locations in Florida; two in Panama City, and one in Miramar Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Pensacola.

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To start a Pathway Checking account, you’ll have to make a starting deposit of $50 and there is a $10 monthly recurring fee to keep it open. Access includes check writing, mobile access, bill pay, and the ability to bank at several locations throughout the state.

Bank OZK has over 25 locations in Florida. Apollo Beach, Cape Coral, Ft Lauderdale, Miami, Punta Gorda, and St Petersburg are just a few examples of convenient locations available to you.

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We like their Value Checking because it offers the basics and is a low-cost account. It requires a $50 opening deposit and has a $7 monthly service fee that can be waived in one of three ways:

• Maintain an average monthly balance of $500 or more
• Enroll in direct deposit and receive $500 or more in your account each month
• Use your BankUnited debit card ten times or more each statement cycle

You can find dozens of BankUnited locations across the state of Florida. Cities like Orlando, Tampa, Venice, Fort Myers, Naples, and Boca Raton are just a few examples of where their branches are located.

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Blue Checking is their most basic account that comes with a bunch of additional services for a low cost. There is a $50 minimum opening deposit as well as a low $8 monthly service fee that can be waived if you keep an average balance of $250 or more. We like this account because it comes with unique benefits like cell phone protection, buyer protection, and ID theft aid.

Cadence Bank has over 10 branches located in Florida. You can find them located in cities including Brooksville, Beverly Hills, Bradenton, Tampa, Clearwater, and several others.

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We recommend their Free Checking because it offers quite a few nice features while still being a low-cost account. As the name would suggest, the account is free after you deposit an initial $50. You won’t need to worry about any pesky maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. This account also offers a free debit card and optional overdraft products.

Campus USA CU is a Florida-based credit union that has branches located in Gainesville, Newberry, Lake City, Tallahassee, and several other cities across the state.

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Though the Opportunity 100 account is designed for this purpose, it doesn’t mean it has any less functionality than many standard checking accounts. It comes with the ability to pay bills online, have access to a debit card, and enjoy the benefits of online banking. It is eligible to be upgraded after 12 months.

Centennial Bank has branches in most major cities in Florida including Pensacola, Santa Rosa Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Miami, just to name a few. Visit their website or one of their locations to open an account!

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Every account holder of a Fresh Start Checking account is provided with a Visa debit card for easy transactions. You must be a resident or working in select counties in Florida to qualify for an account. CCUF has four convenient branches in Pensacola and one in Panama City.

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They offer a variety of checking accounts available to all their members. If you need some extra help on getting back into banking, we recommend their Fresh Start Checking. With a moderate monthly service charge of $9.95, you’ll get access to a free ATM card, unlimited check writing, and overdraft protection services for a small fee.

Visit their website or branch in Clearwater to determine which account is right for you!

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There is a $10 monthly service fee associated with holding the account and a required $25 initial deposit. There are also residency restrictions. However, if you are eligible you can open a share account with the credit union to gain access to the Fresh Start Checking account.

To find out if you’re eligible, you can contact Community FCU via their website, or contact one of their several branches located in the greater Jacksonville area.

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The Restart Checking account features most of the functionality of their other account products including access to online banking, bill pay, and the ability to write checks. CFFCU is built on providing second chances, and with the Restart Checking account, you can get back on track while proving your financial readiness.

Membership is extended to anyone who has connections to one of several eligible South Florida communities within Miami-Dade County. Compass Financial FCU has one physical location in Medley and is in-network with shared branches across the state where you can conduct most of your in-person banking needs.

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We like their Lifesaver Checking account because it is fee-free and doesn’t require direct deposit. You’ll also get access to free eStatements, online banking, and a MasterCard debit card for all your everyday expenses. No wonder this account is their most popular!

Since this is a local credit union, they offer services to those with connections to the Broward County area. If this sounds like a possibility for you, visit their website or their location in Fort Lauderdale to learn more!

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Premium Checking only requires a $5 opening deposit and won’t ever charge a monthly service fee. You’ll be able to enjoy a free smartphone mobile banking app, optional overdraft protection, and even earn dividends if your balance is over $500.

Eglin FCU extends services to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school near Eglin, Destin, Niceville, Crestview, Navarre, Mary Esther, Hurlburt Field, or Fort Walton Beach. If this sounds like an option for you, visit their website or stop by a branch to apply for membership!

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If you’re looking for the simplest way to manage your funds, we recommend Express Banking. This is a checkless account that has no monthly service charge, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft fees. Also, keep in mind that Express Banking does not allow for deposits at ATMs. If you’re looking for an account with more features, check out their Free Checking account.

Fifth Third Bank has over 150 locations in Florida alone. You’ll be able to find a location in almost every major city including, but not limited to, Clearwater, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Naples, Orlando, and Tampa.

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Fresh Start Checking is a great choice because it lays out a defined path of how you can return to normal status in as little as 12 months. If you are able to maintain your account in good standing over the period of a year, you can upgrade to a standard checking account.

The benefits of an upgraded checking account are online banking, mobile access, and fee-free ATMs around the state. First American Bank has several locations in the Miami area and services people living in and around the region.

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Fresh Start Checking doesn’t have any minimum balance requirements and offers online and mobile banking access. You’ll also be able to enjoy over 200 fee-free ATMs in Palm Beach County, as well as no per-check charges. After one year of good standing, you can upgrade your account to their Value Checking with overdraft protection and no monthly fees.

First Choice CU extends membership to anyone who lives or works in Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Glades, or Hendry counties. There are also a few ways you can become a member, so visit their website or their main office in West Palm Beach to see if you’re eligible!

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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

The Smart Track Checking account helps you operate your financial life within the confines of your abilities from a financial standpoint and gives you the tools you need to manage your checking account well. The Smart Track Checking account requires a $10 monthly service fee. However, after 12 months of good standing, it can be upgraded to a standard checking account, which carries no fee. It also requires a $25 initial deposit to get started.

First Florida CU offers membership to those living or working in over 35 counties across Florida. You can also become a member if you work for one of their select employee groups. Visit their website or one of the branches in and around Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando or Miami to get started!

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It’s a standard account that includes all the necessities like online banking capabilities, free Visa debit card, no monthly maintenance fees or balance requirements. In addition, you’ll get nice perks like 8 ATM fee refunds per month and a free box of checks.

You can become a member of Florida CU if you live or work in one of 45 eligible counties in north and central Florida. They’re in just about every major city and town in the area including Gainesville, Ocala, and Lake City.

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After 12 months of keeping the account in good standing, it also comes with the ability to upgrade your account to a standard checking account. We like this credit union because they have partnered with a central organization to be able to offer fee-free ATMs around the state, further lowering the cost of having an account.

Perhaps the greatest feature of Gold Coast FCU and their many checking account products is their several locations. You can find them in West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Belle Glade, Port St. Lucie, and Palm Beach Gardens.

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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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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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MyOpportunity Checking has a low monthly fee of $10.95 to maintain the account and requires an initial deposit of $25 to open. It’s also important to note that there is a minimum balance of $25 to avoid additional fees. In turn, you will receive a free Visa debit card, online banking capabilities, and a few other nice perks.

Gulf Winds FCU has several branch locations; four in Pensacola, one in Milton, and one in Gulf Breeze. Visit their website or a branch nearest to you to get started!

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Second Chance Checking includes unlimited check writing, free online banking and mobile access, bill paying functionality, direct deposit, and ATM access all for a low $10 monthly service fee. In order to qualify for this account, you cannot owe JetStream FCU any money or show any indication of fraud on your ChexSystems record.

To open an account, contact or visit one of their branches located in Miami, Doral, and Coconut Grove. JetStream FCU is also in-network with over 5,000 shared branches, so once you open an account you’ll have access to thousands of convenient banking locations across the country!

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For access to even more features in your banking experience, keep your Clean Slate account open and in good standing for 12 months. You’ll then be eligible to convert it to a regular account. This account also provides you with access to online banking for maximum convenience.

Liberty Savings Bank has several locations in Florida with two being in Sarasota, two in Venice, and one in Bradenton. Visit their website or one of their branches to start your application!

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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

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.

With Fresh Start Checking you’ll have access to direct deposit services, a debit card, and online bill pay services. With a moderate monthly service fee of $10, you’ll also be able to take advantage of identity theft recovery services, which is rare for second chance accounts.

McCoy FCU branches are located in the greater Orlando area, including cities like Clermont, Lake Mary, Kissimmee, and several others. Visit one of their locations today to start improving your banking history.

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For a monthly service fee of $12, you’ll be able to access online banking, use notary services, get a free debit card, and a few other nice account perks. We like this account because it offers an upgrade to their Regular Checking account after 12 months of good standing.

To open an account, you will need to visit a banking specialist at one of their branches. Members First CU of Florida has 5 locations in Pensacola and one in Pace.

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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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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.

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.

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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

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.

Though this checking account is going to give you a new beginning, you certainly won’t be starting from nothing when it comes to the benefits and features you will have access to. The Fresh Start Checking account features a wide array of benefits that come along with it including a free debit card, online banking, bill pay, e-statements, and 24-hour customer support. All you’ll need is $25 for the opening deposit and $5 each month for the maintenance fee.

Membership is offered to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Okaloosa County. Stop by one of their four branches in Crestview, Baker, Fort Walton Beach, or Niceville to see if OCTFCU is a good fit for you!

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A $50 minimum deposit is all that’s required to open this account and the first monthly fee is actually waived for your convenience. Keeping your account positive for a whole year will also make you eligible for an upgrade to a standard checking account. Some important benefits are:

• Free online and mobile banking
• Access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs
• Mobile Remote Deposit Capture for depositing checks

Although OneUnited Bank only has one branch in Miami, they offer services to all Florida residents and are in-network with hundreds of locations where you can deposit or withdraw money from your account.

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Standard Checking is inexpensive and includes all the basics. You won’t need to worry about any minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees. If you want an account that earns dividends or is designed for members 55 and older, they have options for that as well.

PAFCU has a myriad of membership eligibility requirements, so feel free to visit their website or their branch in Miami to see if you qualify!

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With online bill pay, online account access, unlimited check writing, and a debit card, it’s hard to find any flaws with this option from Priority CU. After several months of responsible usage, this account can upgrade to one of the many custom-tailored accounts that they have available at the credit union. It’s important to note that direct deposit is required for this account.

You can find Priority CU branches located in Orlando, Lake Mary, Melbourne, Winter Garden, and Lakeland. Stop in today to apply for membership!

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One of the convenient features of Renasant Checking is the ability to use Renasant’s Mobile Wallet with Zelle, Apple Pay, and Google Pay options. If you opt to receive eStatements instead of traditional paper statements, your monthly fee of $10 is waived. Renasant Bank checking accounts come with:

• Online banking with online bill pay
• Mobile banking app access
• Renasant Debit Mastercard
• Unlimited check writing

Renasant Bank branch locations can be found throughout the state of Florida in cities such as Winter Park, Ocala, Gainesville, Alachua, and many others.

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The great thing about this second chance account is that after a year of good standing and no overdrafts, the owner of the account will have the option to upgrade to a standard account to be able to qualify for all the benefits of a full checking account. It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to reestablish their positive banking history.

To become a member of San Antonio Citizens FCU, you must live, work, or study in one of their eligible counties and deposit $5 into a savings account. Visit their website or their branch in San Antonio to see if this credit union can help you out!

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The SoFi Checking & Savings 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 up to $300 (depending on the amount of your direct deposit) 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 overdraft fees
• 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.

Kevin M., SoFi Money Customer

With this account, you can avoid the $10 monthly service fee if you enroll in direct deposit. We like this account because you get your first 50 checks for free! Also, you can also upgrade to a traditional checking account after 10 months if you complete two financial education courses.

To see if you qualify to be a member of South Florida FCU, visit their website or stop by one of their branches located in Miami, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Fort Pierce, Lake Worth Beach, Royal Palm Beach, or West Palm Beach.

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We recommend this account because you won’t need to worry about any monthly service fees no matter how much your balance fluctuates. It does require a steep $100 as an opening deposit, but includes digital banking tools, online bill pay, and other convenient perks.

Synovus Bank has dozens of locations in Florida, so there’s a good chance you can find a branch close to you. Tampa, Brooksville, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota are just a few examples of cities with branch locations.

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This second chance checking account offers many of the benefits of a traditional checking account with unlimited check writing, overdraft protection, and online access to your account from anywhere. This bank won’t turn you down due to minor marks on ChexSystems and is the perfect solution for anyone in need of a fresh start.

UNIFY FCU only has one location in Maitland, but offers dozens of CO-OP shared branches in and around Orlando, Lakeland, and Tampa for all of your in-person banking needs.

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With this account, you’ll be able to bank with a free debit card, write unlimited amounts of checks, and receive free eStatements. There are no monthly service charges or per-check charges associated with this account. All you’ll need to open the account is $50 for the opening deposit.

Although Union State Bank is Alabama-based, they have one branch in Destin that is available to all nearby residents.

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United Bank’s Gateway Checking does not offer a debit card or overdraft protection. There are a variety of check options available. Online bill pay can also be purchased for $4.95 per month. Gateway checking has a $10 monthly maintenance fee and offers:

• Itemized statement and e-Statement options
• Smartphone app with mobile check deposit
• 24/7 BankLine Service and Account Alerts

United Bank is another Alabama-based option, but they have several branches for Florida residents in Jay, Milton, and Pace. Stop by one of their locations today to get started!

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They only offer one checking option called their Lifestyle Checking account. This account includes all the necessities like online banking, no per-check fees, and access to shared branches across the state. They also offer overdraft protection and credit monitoring services.

University Credit Union offers membership to just about everyone affiliated with the University of Miami, Florida International University, St. Thomas University, the local legal community, and the Miami-Dade community. Visit one of their branches located in Miami to open an account!

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Instead, the Safe Debit account makes things easier by making the funds available via debit card. With a debit card, it is proven that account holders are much less likely to overdraw. With only a $4.95 maintenance fee, the account is very affordable to open and maintain.

If the Safe Debit account sounds like it could work for your situation, you’re able to apply for the account online. Although there are no physical US Bank branch locations in Florida, they have several fee-free ATMs where you can withdraw and deposit money in and around Lakeland.

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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.

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Depending on your financial needs, Vystar CU will recommend an account that works for you. A Free Checking account is actually free, meaning there are no monthly service charges, no check-writing fees, and no fees to transfer money between accounts. Plus, you will be able to earn interest on your daily balance!

To become a member, you are required to live or work in one of almost 50 eligible counties in the state. There’s a good chance you’re eligible if you live in central or northern Florida. Most of Vystar CU branches are located in and around Jacksonville.

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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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You can lower your Second Chance monthly maintenance fee from $11.95 to $9.95 by setting up monthly direct deposit. This Woodforest account offers:

• Online banking
• A mobile banking app
• Woodforest Debit Card
• Overdraft solutions
• Free platinum debit card

All services are easily managed online or in-person at branches in Walmart Supercenters across the US. Woodforest National Bank has several locations in and around Jacksonville.

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