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 Iowa 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 Iowa that can assist you.
The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Iowa
BBVA Online Checking is our hands-down winner for the best second chance bank account. They have the strongest offering of any of our recommendations. No hidden fees, no monthly minimums, and no monthly service charge. BBVA uses EWS to screen applicants instead of ChexSystems, so it’s easy to get approved and takes about 3 minutes. Plus, their smartphone app and online tools are the best we’ve reviewed.Why do we recommend BBVA Online Checking so highly? If you’ve got poor credit or find yourself on ChexSystems, BBVA will approve you for an account.
- NO monthly service charge
- NO monthly account balance minimums
- NO fees at over 64,000 Allpoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide
- FREE online banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits
- FREE unlimited check writing
- FREE Visa® debit card
- Open with as little as $25
- BBVA USA, member FDIC
It’s simple to apply. The BBVA website is simple and easy to interact with. There is a $25 minimum deposit required to open an account. Your online approval is immediate. BBVA is one of the most friendly banks for those who need a second chance at a checking account. The entire process from start to finish takes about 3 minutes.
Your BBVA Visa Debit Card allows you access to all BBVA ATMs and Allpoint ATMs. Allpoint ATMs can be found at these retailers and many more:
Chime Bank is one of the fastest growing online banks. Chime offers both online checking and savings accounts without performing a ChexSystems background check or pulling your credit score. We like how Chime processes direct deposits faster than other banking systems, giving you access to your money two days faster. Their simple, online services are what makes Chime a good option for easy checking.One of the best features of a Chime account is that you always know exactly how much money you have in your account through the easy-to-use mobile app and real-time alerts. Chime Bank also offers Automatic Savings. Every purchase is automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and the difference is deposited into your savings account.
Setting up an account with Chime is incredibly easy, and there is no minimum deposit amount. Your account comes with:
- FREE Visa® debit card
- Free online banking, bill pay and online checks
- Free money transfers and foreign transactions
- Fee-free overdraft up to $100
- No monthly fees or service charges
- No monthly minimums
- Access to a network of 38,000 MoneyPass® and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs worldwide
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.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 you don’t have to make an initial deposit to get an account. Plus, you can earn a $50 cash bonus if you sign up for SoFi Money® and make one direct deposit of at least $500. 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
I love SoFi Money! Easy to open, easy to make transactions and move money around, and an awesome smartphone app that alerts me to all the key indicators on my account. And I like making a little interest on the money in my checking account. During the past several months, I have come to appreciate the contactless payment capability of the Mastercard debit card.
Kevin M., SoFi Money Customer
Bank of the West offers its easy-to-use Fresh Start Checking account for customers that may have negative entries on their ChexSystems report.To be eligible for a Fresh Start account, all entries within ChexSystems must be older than one year. The monthly account service charge is $12 but grants you a variety of benefits for qualified customers, including:
- A Bank of the West debit card for all purchases and withdrawals
- Online banking with bill pay services
- Unlimited access to Bank of the West ATMs
- No-limit check writing
With over 25 branch locations in Iowa alone, you can find a Bank of the West in Decorah, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, and many others.
Instead of using a ChexSystems report, Cedar Falls Community Credit Union opts to use a credit report to determine if you’re eligible for a checking account. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries, you should be good to go.They offer a general Share Draft Checking account that comes with a mobile banking app with mobile check deposit, a free debit card, and overdraft protection services. This account is free to open and doesn’t have any monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. You can also earn interest if your balance is over $500!
To get started, you will need to become a member of Cedar Falls Community CU first. They offer membership to anyone who lives or works in 20 eligible Iowa counties. You can also join if you have a relative that is already a member. Visit their website or one of their branches located in Cedar Falls or Waverly to get started.
Collins Community Credit Union provides a true second chance to those who are looking to rebuild their credit and re-establish a positive banking history. Their Take2 Checking comes with all of the checking necessities while remaining low-cost and easy to manage.Take2 Checking requires $50 as an opening deposit and has a moderate monthly service fee of $9.95. In return, you get a free Visa debit card, access to online and mobile banking, unlimited check writing, and unlimited transactions. We like this account because it allows you to upgrade to a traditional checking option after 12 months of good standing.
Collins Community CU extends membership to anyone who lives or works in one of over 35 eligible Iowa counties. You can also join if you have a family member who has already become a member or if you work for one of their select employee groups. Their branches can be found throughout Iowa in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Altoona, and several other cities.
Instead of relying on ChexSystems, DeWitt Bank and Trust runs a credit report to determine if you’re eligible for a checking account. Out of the five accounts they offer, we recommend Totally Free Checking if you want to avoid excessive requirements and service fees.The account only requires $25 to open and has no monthly service charges or minimum balance requirements. With Totally Free Checking you can set up direct deposit and use their online banking and bill pay tools. You will also get your first box of checks for free and a complimentary thank you gift!
To get started, visit their website or one of their branches located in DeWitt or Wilton.
If you’ve had issues with a ChexSystems bank in the past, Dubuque Bank & Trust could be a viable option for you. They won’t use ChexSystems when you apply for any of their accounts. If you’re looking for a simple and straightforward account, look no further than Free Checking.All that is required to open this account is a low $25. You won’t have to worry about monthly fees if you enroll in eStatements and you also gain access to online banking, unlimited check writing, and money management tools.
You can fill out an online application or visit one of their branches located in Dubuque or Farley to get back on track with banking!
Dupaco Community Credit Union is another great example of a bank that utilizes a credit report in lieu of ChexSystems when verifying new accounts. If your credit score is intact and there aren’t too many negative entries, you should be able to get an account.We recommend their Free Checking if you tend to keep an account balance of less than $5000. All that is needed to get started with the account is a $50 opening deposit. After that, you won’t need to worry about any monthly service charges or minimum balance requirements. You also get access to nice benefits including unlimited check writing, a free MasterCard debit card, and online banking access.
Everyone living and/or working in Iowa is eligible to join Dupaco Community CU. When you apply, you will need to deposit $25 into a savings account to establish membership. You can find branches across the state in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls, and several other cities.
At Exchange State Bank, you won’t need to jump through hoops to get a checking account. They do not use ChexSystems, Telecheck, EWS, or a credit report when you apply for an account. Instead, all they require is that you present two forms of ID, one being government-issued.We like their traditional Regular Checking account because it only has a low fee of $3.00 each month. This can be waived if your daily balance is above $100 or your monthly average balance is above $500. Although Exchange State Bank doesn’t have a huge internet presence or modern digital tools, this account can still be helpful for those that have been turned away from other banks in the past.
If you would like to get an account, contact one of their three branches in Ames, Collins, or Exira.
Instead of using ChexSystems, Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank uses a credit report and requires two forms of ID when you apply for an account. If everything with your credit report checks out, we recommend their Free Checking account.Free Checking requires an opening deposit of at least $100, but after that point the account is free and you won’t have to worry about any monthly service fees. This account also comes with the basics like a debit card and access to online and mobile banking.
To get started, you can apply for an account online or visit one of their locations in Iowa City, Lone Tree, or Nichols.
If you’ve had issues with ChexSystems in the past, Farmers State Bank may offer a solution for you. Instead of ChexSystems, they use an Equifax credit report. They require that your credit score is at least 600 or higher. If this fits your situation, we recommend their Green Checking account.This account comes with all the necessities, including a free debit card, access to mobile banking with check deposit, and free eStatements each month. After you deposit $100 or more into your account at the time of opening, you won’t need to worry about any monthly service fees or balance requirements.
You can apply for this account online or visit one of their branches located in Cedar Falls, Dunkerton, Gilbertville, Jesup, Waterloo, Waverly, and Des Moines.
Farmers Trust & Savings Bank will pull a credit report and require two forms of ID when you apply for a checking account. So if you’re only having issues with ChexSystems, this may be a great option for you. They offer several different Kasasa checking products as well as an Everyday Checking account.We like Everyday Checking because it has the fewest requirements and a low service fee of $4 each month if you are enrolled in eStatements. You can also avoid the fee if you enroll in direct deposit or keep a daily balance of $750 or more. This account is a great option if you value easy money management for day-to-day purchases.
Farmers Trust & Savings Bank is located in Spencer, Iowa. You can apply for an account online or contact their office to get started!
When you apply for an account at Federation Bank, they look at your credit report instead of your ChexSystems report to determine your eligibility. If your credit score is high enough, we recommend their Basic Checking account. If your score is lower, they also offer a Fresh Start Checking account for those needing some additional help.All checking accounts include internet banking, free bill pay, and free overdraft sweeps. Their Fresh Start Checking requires a steep $250 opening deposit and a $6 monthly service charge. If your balance falls below $250, you will incur a $2 miscellaneous fee. If you are eligible for Basic Checking, there are fewer fees and a lower opening deposit amount.
To get an account, you will need to contact Federation Bank directly. You can visit them at one of their branches located in Washington, Brighton, Welman, or Richland.
If you have negative entries in ChexSystems but your credit report remains intact, First Trust and Savings Bank may be a good option for you. They run a credit report to screen new applicants.Out of their seven different account options, we recommend First Checking. This traditional account includes all the basics with no fees. You get access to free online banking and unlimited check writing without having to pay monthly service fees or worry about minimum balance requirements.
Unfortunately, you cannot apply for this account online, but you can contact one of their branches located in Wheatland, Dixon, Lost Nation, Calamus, Grand Mound, Donahue, or Eldridge to get started!
To determine if you’re eligible for an account, Frontier Savings Bank will look at your credit report instead of your history with ChexSystems. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries on your credit report, you should be able to get an account with them.We like their Regular Checking account because it has the least requirements and is an easy way to manage your money. If your daily balance remains above $300, they will even waive your monthly maintenance fee! This account includes unlimited check writing, digital wallet capabilities, and a debit card for day-to-day use.
Frontier Savings Bank is Iowa-based and has three locations in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and Tabor. Stop by one of their convenient locations to open an account!
GO2bank is an offering of pre-paid card giant GoBank and we think it’s a step in the right direction. Like some of the newer “challenger banks” GO2bank will deposit your direct deposit check up to 2 days early and has cashback rewards on several categories of purchases. This account also makes you eligible for the GO2bank credit card, which has no annual fee or required credit check.One significant drawback to many online-only bank accounts is that they have no way to accept cash deposits. But GO2bank accepts cash deposits at over 90,000 Green Dot locations nationwide. However, participating retailers may charge you a fee.
If you direct deposit over $500, your monthly maintenance fee of $5.00 is waived. And, they offer a pretty sweet overdraft protection program, but it has a gotcha charge of $15 if you don’t replace the funds within 24 hours.
Account-holders will appreciate the ability to budget their money with the help of a mobile app, budgeting tools, and a savings vault. In fact, they pay 1% on all money in the saving vault up to $5,000.
Greater Iowa Credit Union offers their Fresh Start Checking account to those who have a less-than-perfect checking history. Although this account has some restrictions, it costs less than most second chance accounts we’ve come across.With Fresh Start Checking, there is no required opening deposit and the monthly maintenance fee is a low $5 each month. This account does not come with mobile check deposit services, but it does offer online banking, free eStatements, and unlimited check writing capabilities. It’s also important to note that there is a $500 daily limit on your debit card.
Greater Iowa CU offers membership to anyone who has a connection to one of 33 eligible counties in Iowa. You can also join depending on your employer or if you are a relative of a current member. You can find convenient branches located in Ames, Ankeny, Denison, Greater Des Moines, Indianola, and Waukee. Visit their website or stop by a branch to see if you qualify!
Great Western Bank is known to be more lenient with ChexSystems and will allow those with a record to open an account if a few requirements are met. In order to be eligible, you must only have one item on your ChexSystems report that has been resolved for over a year.If this sounds like a good fit for you, we recommend their Free Checking account. All you’ll need is a $50 opening deposit to get started. From that point, there are no monthly service fees and you gain access to over 35,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Free Checking also comes with a debit card and smartphone banking capabilities.
You can find Great Western Bank’s Iowa branches located in Marshalltown, Burlington, and Bedford. You can apply for the account online or visit them in person to get started!
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
Rather than using ChexSystems, Hills Bank and Trust Company relies on a credit report to determine if applicants are eligible for a checking account. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries and your credit score is at least 580, you should be able to get an account.Out of their eight checking account options, we think Free Checking is the most straightforward and easiest to manage. This account is truly free – meaning there is no required opening deposit, no monthly service fees, and no balance requirements. You will also get the necessities with this account like online banking, a debit card, and digital wallet capabilities.
Hills Bank and Trust Company has branches located mostly in eastern Iowa. You can find them in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Hills, Iowa City, Lisbon, and several other cities. To get an account, you can either apply online or visit a branch nearest you!
If you have had issues in the past with ChexSystems banks but your credit report has remained somewhat healthy, Home State Bank may be a good option for you. They use a credit report in lieu of ChexSystems when you apply for a checking account.Out of their several different checking accounts, we recommend $mart Rewards Checking. This account requires a $100 opening deposit and will charge a $5 monthly service fee if your average balance is less than $500. We like this account because it refunds you a few dollars each month just for using your debit card! You can also sign up for credit monitoring services to help you stay up to date on your finances.
Home State Bank has one main office located in Jefferson. You can contact them or stop by the branch to open an account.
Iowa Falls State Bank is another option for those who have an intact credit report. Rather than using ChexSystems, they will refer to your credit report and require two forms of ID. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries on your report and one of your forms of ID is government-issued, you should be good to go.If you’re looking for an account that avoids those pesky monthly service fees and still includes bonus features, we recommend their Reward Checking account. You can avoid the $5 monthly service fee if you enroll in eStatements and use your debit card 10 times each month. You will also be rewarded for using your debit card by receiving a 0.25% credit back for the amount you spend each month!
To apply for an account, you will need to visit one of their branches in Iowa Falls or Williams. Stop by the location nearest you today to take a step towards re-establishing yourself in the banking system.
Rather than using ChexSystems during the application process, Iowa State Bank & Trust Company looks at a credit report. They don’t necessarily look for a particular score, but rather the overall health of your credit history.Out of the six different checking accounts they offer, we recommend Free Checking if you want the basics with no fees or excessive requirements. Like the name would suggest, Free Checking doesn’t include any monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. However, it’s important to note that there is a $100 minimum opening deposit as well as a $15 annual charge for a MasterCard debit card.
Iowa State Bank & Trust Co is based in Fairfield, Iowa. Visit one of their branches in Fairfield to apply or open an account in minutes on their website!
Keystone Savings Bank will not view your ChexSystems report when you apply for an account. Instead, they will utilize Telecheck and pull a credit report to determine if you’re eligible. As long there aren’t too many negative entries, there is a good chance you will get an account.They offer a traditional checking account called Economy Checking that doesn’t have any monthly service fees if you sign up for eStatements. You will also receive a free debit card and get access to online and mobile banking. All that is required to get started is at least $100 for the opening deposit.
They have an application for Economy Checking on their website, or you can apply in person at one of their locations in Keystone, Marengo, Center Point, Pleasant Hill, or Victor.
If you have a negative history with ChexSystems as well as a less-than-perfect credit report, Marine Credit Union offers a solution. They pull a TransUnion credit report when you apply, but also offer a Credit Builder Checking account to those who don’t qualify for a traditional account.Credit Builder Checking is extremely affordable with only a $5 monthly service charge and a $55 opening deposit requirement. You will also get unlimited ATM access, online banking with bill pay, and a debit card. They also have several helpful articles on their website that can provide some valuable insight on how to build and manage your credit.
To become a member of Marine CU, you can visit their website to get started or one of their Iowa branches located in Davenport, Decorah, and West Des Moines.
Instead of referring to your ChexSystems report, MBT Bank pulls an Equifax credit report to determine if you’re eligible. If everything checks out, they have a few different checking options to choose from. If you prefer a low cost account with all the basics, we recommend GoEasy Checking.This account requires a steep $100 opening deposit, but is fairly affordable beyond that. The $7 monthly service fee can be waived if you maintain a minimum balance of $100 or more. You will also get access to online banking, mobile check deposit, and a debit card for everyday purchases.
MBT Bank is Iowa-based and has branches located in Forest City, Lake Mills, and Clear Lake. Visit a branch nearest you to get started!
Midland Credit Union is another example of a credit union that utilizes a credit report in lieu of ChexSystems when you apply for a checking account. Rather than looking for a specific credit score, they review the overall health of your report.They offer their Midland Difference Checking account that has no monthly service fees. We like this account because it gives you the opportunity to earn dividends on balances greater than $500! In addition, you will also be provided with the necessities such as free eStatements, a debit card with fraud protection, and access to online banking.
There are a few requirements in order to become a member of Midland Credit Union. You can join if you live or work in one of 18 eligible Iowa counties or if you work for an authorized employee group. Visit their website or stop by one of their branches in Urbandale or Pleasant Hill to see if you are eligible!
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
North Iowa Community Credit Union offers a true second chance account specifically for those who have been turned down for a checking account in the past. Their Fresh Start Debit account has no minimum balance requirement and has a low monthly service fee of $8.We like this account because it will not allow you to overdraw your account. By removing check writing abilities, there’s less of a chance you will overspend and have to pay expensive overdraft fees. You will also get a free debit card and receive access to online banking.
If North Iowa Community CU sounds like a good fit for you, contact one of their branches in Mason City to join the credit union and apply for an account!
North Star Community Credit Union does not use ChexSystems, but rather a credit report to determine eligibility. As long as everything checks out with your credit report, you should be able to obtain an account.Their general Share Draft Checking account doesn’t have a minimum balance and has an extremely low monthly service charge of $3.21. We like this option because it pays you monthly dividends on your account balance! You will also receive a free ATM card or debit card as well as 50 free checks.
To become a member at North Star Community CU, you will need to live or work in one of their 14 eligible Iowa counties. To see if you are eligible, visit their website or contact one of their branches located in Cherokee, Ida Grove, or Sheldon.
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
R.I.A. Federal Credit Union utilizes your credit report in lieu of ChexSystems, Telecheck, or EWS. If your credit report doesn’t show too many negative entries, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get an account.Out of their several different account options, we like Basic Checking the best. This account is a simple, low-cost way to manage your money. With a low opening deposit of $25, you will get access to online banking with bill pay as well as a MasterCard debit card. You also have the ability to write 40 checks per month free of charge.
R.I.A. FCU offers membership to anyone who lives or works within 30 miles of their Iowa branch locations in Davenport or Wilton. You can also join if you work for one of their select employee groups or are a relative of a current member.
Instead of ChexSystems, River Community Credit Union will refer to a credit report to determine if you’re eligible for a checking account. As long as there aren’t too many negative entries, you should be able to open one of their general Share Draft Checking accounts.This account provides all the necessities for everyday spending. They offer a Visa Debit/ATM card for no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. This account is truly a no-frills checking option that doesn’t offer any unnecessary benefits or overcomplicated requirements.
To get started, you can apply for membership to River Community CU on their website or visit their only located on Ottumwa.
If you don’t need to write physical checks, we recommend US Bank’s Safe Debit Account. Think of it as a checking account without checks. The Safe Debit Account gives you easy access to your money with a free US Bank Visa debit card and online banking. The free mobile app allows you to track your spending, receive low balance alerts and send money securely to your family and friends. If you do happen to overdraw your account, you won’t be charged a fee.US Bank is a national bank that wants you to grow financially. While you build a positive banking relationship with your Safe Debit Account, you have free access to the TransUnion CreditView Dashboard. This feature allows you to view your credit score and learn how to build and maintain positive credit. There is a low monthly maintenance fee of $4.95.
There’s a good chance that you will find a US Bank branch near you. They have locations across the entire state including cities such as Altoona, Chariton, Dubuque, Marshalltown, and many more.
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
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
White State Bank does not use ChexSystems, so if you only have a negative record with ChexSystems you should be able to get an account. They offer three different checking account options with their Basic Checking account being the simplest.With Basic Checking you won’t have to worry about an initial deposit requirement. Plus, if you keep your balance above $100, the $5 service fee will be waived. This account includes unlimited free deposits, a debit card, and online banking access. It is important to note that after the first 20 transactions each month, there will be a $0.25 fee for each excess transaction.
White State Bank is Iowa-based and has one location in South English. Visit their branch to get started with an account!
Did we leave your financial institution off this list of The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Iowa? Has there been a change in any of the listings? Please let us know.